Daughter wants to borrow the teardrop...

[doris s.]

Ok, today my 17 year old daughter asked me if she can "borrow" our 4 foot wide teardrop for a few camping trips this summer with her buds.

My daughter is a seasoned camper, she has been camping since she was a baby but she has no idea how to drive with a vehicle in tow. She has never hitched or unhitched the teardrop but has watched me do it many times. Will the Nissan Cube she drives be able to pull our teardrop? What if she is stuck somewhere and can't back it up, lol.

Maybe I should build her a teardrop that is light and all her own.

Do your kids want to borrow your teardrop?

Doris

[Woodbutcher]

Mine has mentioned it a couple of times. But she is 33 and married so it's a little different. If I were you I would go with her and just be a guest in your own trailer. Have her do everything she has watched you do and check your comfort level. Good luck, this is a tough one.

[pete42]

No kids here if I had any they would be in their 50's so let them get their own trailer.
I told my nephew when he borrowed my motorcycle don't treat it like it's yours treat it like it's mine.
he did and even washed it before returning it.
she is your daughter be thankfully she wants to go camping instead of doing what most kids do.
a short teaching session would be nice pulling, backing ect.
pete

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Not sure how good of a driver your daughter is, but I'd say give her a chance and teach her how to tow it. Just like driving lessons, give her some towing lessons. Quiz her by having her type up a safety check-list that she can print out each time and take with her... tongue jack up, coupler locked with pin, safety chains crossed and hooked, tail/turn/brake lights, tires, etc.

Or just build her one.

[jdarkoregon]

Doris, its hard to, but let her, she's wanting to do it herself.

Teach her well, take your time and repeat everything until you feel good that she will be safe.

Its just like when you taught her how to drive, this time she has a trailer and needs some different lessons.

I have no idea about the car, you'll have to read the specs

I have two boys, @ 16 they wanted to use the drift boat and trailer to go fishing on the river (white water and all) I knew they could handle the boat, but the backing and responsibility

Now, they fish way more than I, they have gathered a very fine group of friends who together they have created many many great memories.

Good luck, my vote is sure let the girl go

John

[Shadow Catcher]

The University of Toledo each year has for social workers dealing with sex workers a prostitution conference, and one year one of the presenters had one titled "the teen age brain", his opening statement was that this is a oxymoron. From my own study one of the last portion of the brain to develop fully is the prefrontal cortex, the area that makes decisions and can understand consequences. This area matures some time during the middle twenties so, yes, as most of us thought Teens are truly brain dead.
My daughter wanted her own tent during her early teens and we were discussing recently that Jamie (now 27) her husband and the twins (now 8 months) want to go camping with us at Lake Superior Provincial Park in a couple of years.

[gregp136]

I learned to tow with Practice. I learned to deal with problems that came up by dealing with problems that come up. The teenage brain is forming, and by giving wonderful experiences like this, it is forming in a positive way. I taught my children to tow a vehicle, the same way I taught them to pound a nail. You have a wonderful opportunity here, enjoy the bonding that comes with it.

Greg(and Laurie)

[Tumbleweed_Tex]

Do your kids want to borrow your teardrop?

Doris

That's got to be one of the top three questions of all time...

[Redgloves]

Doris,

Many campgrounds will not allow campers under 18 to camp without adults.

Many members enjoy back yard camping, consider having a few backyard weekends with your daughter and one friend. She will be responsible for setting up, cooking, cleaning and packing up.

As hard as the decision may be, let her use the teardrop. What a great way to show your trust in your daughter.

Jean

[streetrod23]

Bravo Greg & laurie, I could not have said it better. I have 2 Children in their early 20s. Yes I would be a bit nervous letting the trailer go for the weekend, but like Greg said take the time and teach them right. In all likelihood she understands the pride and work you have put into your tear and will be very respectful! The first trip could be one close to home in the event a problem does arise.
Good Luck

[PKCSPT]

My vote is yes, then if she is really into it help her build her own.

[Forrest747]

I would find a huge empty parking lot, ie church outter mall and have her show you her stuff. Impress upon her mind when she parks its best to park where you can pull forward. teach her some basic backwards movement and if it gets so bad just unhitch move teh tear in teh right direction and than put back on.

[dmb90260]

Got Insurance?
If you train her you will know if you can trust her driving skills. As mentioned, plan a small trip where she does it all. It can be around the block but she does it all.
Check the tow rating for that vehicle, I do not know but have the impression they are very limited.

If it is still early, give her a set of plans and a saw for her birthday.

[CliffinGA]

Doris let her use it after you train her and go on a trip with just the two of you and let her do everything. As far as the cube goes I dont think it can tow anything.

Cliff

[S. Heisley]

17 is mighty young to be on her own with Mom's teardrop; but, it depends on the teenager and only you will know that. Shadow Catcher and the others are right about her brain, though. The judgment part of the brain doesn't fully develop and mature until sometime around 26-28. Case in point, just look at what some college kids do on spring break!

Has she ever camped in a tent? I don't mean when she was a wee child...I mean in her recent teen years. If not, I'd buy or rent her a tent to take a couple camping trips with. When she asks why, tell her that it is so she will better appreciate the teardrop trailer, if and when you let her take it on her own.

Another thing that you could do is take her on a weekend camping trip in the teardrop; but, have her do everything and you be the guest. In other words, she would have to hook-up the trailer, drive the tow vehicle, back in the camp spot, plan the cooking and set it up and actually cook at least one meal; unhook the tow vehicle and park it; back the tow vehicle up and hook it up to the trailer and tow it home. Resist the urge to do anything other than give advice. She has to be able to do it on her own and you have to know that she can do it. When you finish the weekend, you might have a few nerves on fire; but, you'll be pretty certain of your answer to her.