One of the most common reactions I get from women when I pull into a campground is sheer amazement that I towed my trailer there all by myself. “I could never do that – I don’t know how to tow,” they say. But here’s the thing—yes, you can! The only thing standing in your way is the belief that you can’t.
Must start somewhere
When we don’t know how to do something, it can seem like there’s some secret skill or special talent required—one that we weren’t born with. It’s like watching a marathon runner and thinking, “I could never do that.” But the truth is, that runner didn’t wake up one morning and run 26 miles. They started somewhere—probably with a slow jog to the mailbox. The same goes for towing. It’s not magic, and you don’t need a special gene. You just need to learn, practice, and build confidence.
I was lucky to grow up with a dad who could do just about anything. He wasn’t a carpenter by trade, but he built our kitchen cabinets. When I asked him how he knew he could do it, his answer changed my life. He said, “Well, the guy who does this for a living puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like me. So why can’t I do it too?”
That mindset stuck with me. Any time I’ve faced something new—whether it was towing a trailer or backing into a campsite—I reminded myself that if others can do it, I can learn too. And that’s what I want you to remember: towing is a skill, just like cooking or riding a bike. You start small, practice, and build from there.
So where do you start?
- Adopt the right attitude. Decide that you’re going to learn this, and remind yourself that plenty of other women have done it before you.
- Start with the basics. Head to an empty parking lot—maybe your church or a school on the weekend—and practice hooking up, towing, and turning. Do it again and again until it starts to feel natural.
- Take baby steps. Drive around your neighborhood, then venture a little farther. Pick a time when traffic is light and practice getting on and off the highway. Drive two towns over and park at the far end of a shopping center, then pull out again.
- Find a towing buddy. If you have a friend who tows, ask them to ride shotgun and talk you through it. Support makes all the difference.
- Educate yourself. Read about towing, watch YouTube videos, and soak up knowledge. The more you know, the less fear you’ll have. One of my favorite resources is Mark Polk’s RV101 YouTube playlist—check it out here!
My friend Mary was once convinced she could never tow. She thought Girl Camping was something “other people” did. But with encouragement, she took the first step. She learned, practiced, and now she’s not only towing her own camper—she’s converted her family into campers, too!
So, if you’re feeling unsure, just remember: slow and steady wins the race. You can do this. All it takes is one step at a time.
Happy Trails!
By Janine Pettit
Connect with us!
Girl Camper Magazine: Subscribe to Girl Camper Magazine here! Girl Camper Magazine
Events: Check out upcoming Girl Camper Events – you can attend events in any chapter!
Main GC Facebook Group – Join over 420,000 like-minded women in our private Facebook group! Girl Camper FB Group
Facebook Page – This is our public Facebook page, where we will share Girl Camper news. Girl Camper
