Making the first trip with the trailer in the winter after Christmas for a winter wheeling trip. I have never towed in the snow, however. Any tips from the guys that have done it before?

Leave a little more space, be careful, etc. If you have a decent handling setup you will be fine, if it's sketchy on dry pavement then it's just going to be worse in the snow. I always wipe my trailer lights off at every stop, if you have LEDs this is important because they won't melt snow off.

Brewchief:D

Ask SoundGuy:shaking:

:D

In California you need chains on the rear of the tow vehicle even if you have 4wd. The trailer doesn't need anything. I did not know this.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/ChainRequire.pdf

You're state might be different. Just take it slow and easy and plan ahead.

In California you need chains on the rear of the tow vehicle even if you have 4wd. The trailer doesn't need anything. I did not know this.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/ChainRequire.pdf

You're state might be different. Just take it slow and easy and plan ahead.

And also in Fuc*ing California, as well as the rear of the tow rig chained up, you also have to chain up any "braking" axles on the trailer too:confused:

keep lots of space ..
go slower ..
load the trailer correctly ..
be sure the trailer is 100% ... the cold makes it easy to skip inspection !

Its a good thing to lock up the brakes in a open parking lot type area to see what your trailer does ... understanding your trailer is the key to safty.

I have v-bar chains (all four tires) for the tow rig (PSD) and a set of chains for the trailer to keep it from sliding.

Maintenance is up to date and spare parts for essentials.

Remember, any mechanical issues will be 10x worse because of environmental effects (wet, freezing temps) cause things to be brittle.

I'll also carry extra fuel, clothes, food, water, etc.

You need to post more information or you will continue to get vague information.


EDIT: If you do have to stop for any length of time, go back and forth in your own tracks to pack down the snow before you stop. This will make moving again a lot easier.

Yes in California if they have chain requirements for 2wd you will be required to chain up the rear when towing along with braked trailer axles. If it should ice up really bad you will want to chains up the front too so carry a set for the front. Of course this is fairly rare as California will close the highway if conditions are really bad but it can and does happen so be prepared. Make sure the chains will clear your oversize tires with a car loaded before you need them too!

Jason :)

Making the first trip with the trailer in the winter after Christmas for a winter wheeling trip. I have never towed in the snow, however. Any tips from the guys that have done it before?

Are you still back east? If so, Drive slow. leave alot of room. Make sure the trailer has breaks. Do not make sudden moves. As for getting going after a stop do not stop in a dip, and try not to get stopped on a large hill.

I carry a bag of good course sand in my semis and DD. If I get on a slick spot and cannot get rolling again I toss out som sand infront of my tires so they will grab and go. Try not to spin out when doing this because you will throw all your sand out.

Have a safe trip

Thanks for the info. Yeah I am on the east coast, just heading up one state to Rausch Creek.

The trailer has never given me any problems (16ft trailer, brakes on both axles) towed by a 01 long bed CTD.

just do everything your supposed to when towing x2

Does your route include any dirt roads or unpaved driving near the destination? If so, remember that the trailer WILL push the vehicle around. I've slid hitch first for 200 down the side of a hill that was fine even when muddy for driving, but as I found out, very bad with snow.

The main thing is to putter along until you find what you and your equipment are comfortable with. Dad farmed for years in North Dakota, we towed in winter all the time, the only 4wd we owned was my little nissan pickup. We never used chains for that matter.

Back off the sensitivity of the brake controller, so that the brakes on the trailer come on later than the truck. If you leave it where it is, and your trailer brakes lock up on slick roads, your trailer tries to pass you.

On some brake controllers, if you turn the voltage down to compensate, it turns the voltage down for the manual lever too. Truning down the sensitivity, the voltage is still there if you need to use the manual lever.

If you're turning around or backing the trailer, just turn the brakes off. Otherwise you're likely in for some suck.

Ask SoundGuy:shaking:

:D

My advice is "don't, and if you must... don't". :flipoff2:

EDIT: If you do have to stop for any length of time, go back and forth in your own tracks to pack down the snow before you stop. This will make moving again a lot easier.

thats really god advice

The main thing is to putter along until you find what you and your equipment are comfortable with. Dad farmed for years in North Dakota, we towed in winter all the time, the only 4wd we owned was my little nissan pickup. We never used chains for that matter.

PA and a lot of the east is hilly. A 2wd with no chains would be useless here.

if you have any sort of head on your shoulders, you will be fine. only thing I do is back off the sensitivity on the brake controller.

Thanks of all the advice, made the trip this weekend and didnt hit any snow or ice until we hit the park...

This was the parking lot (under 3 inches of ice):
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/northjerseyrunner/DSC03185.jpg?t=1230520455

Access trail from parking lot, once again all ice:
http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp126/northjerseyrunner/DSC03190.jpg?t=1230520533

PA and a lot of the east is hilly. A 2wd with no chains would be useless here.

Yeah, and our section of North Dakota was really flat.:laughing: The oil tankers would washboard the road from tire slippage on the hills.

Yeah, and our section of North Dakota was really flat.:laughing: The oil tankers would washboard the road from tire slippage on the hills.


Pfff, East Coast, Mid West.... in the 1st 5 miles of my drive to work I gain 1000 feet. Does PA or ND even have a 1000 feet in elevation change :flipoff2:


But seriously though - my 2wd Dodge stay at home and off the hill when it ices up, snow is fine, it just doesn't like ice.

BTT

Even though this is 3+ years old, I found it really usefull.

I've towed plenty & driven in the snow for 25+ years.... Just never both.

I have a snow run planned for the weekend & found this. (looks like the Sierras will get more snow this weekend than they've gotten all year!).

I changed tire sizes last summer, so now I have to get new chains...:homer:

In California you need chains on the rear of the tow vehicle even if you have 4wd. The trailer doesn't need anything. I did not know this.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/ChainRequire.pdf

You're state might be different. Just take it slow and easy and plan ahead.

does this mean that at any point that you tow in the winter and snow is flying...you need chains?


In PA the only thing I do when towing in winter storms is back off the controller a little and leave more room to stop.

No, only when chain requirements are in effect.

I towed from CO to CA 2 years ago. As soon as I hit CA I was pulled over by CHP and forced to chain my 4WD dodge and the rear axle of my trailer. It was a major PITA!