Anyone have any tips when towing on snow packed roads? Truck: 4x2 Crewcab prolly have tire chains on the rears towing 28 foot travel trailer.(6000lbs +) I'm thinking that moving along shouldn't be a problem but stopping could get a little wild! Thanks!

 

Getting moving can be fun, but with chains you should have no problem. Just go easy on the throttle....feather it up.
Stopping...the same thing, don't jam on the brakes. ABS or not with a trailer and snowpacked roads a sudden brake will send you into what I calla "six wheel skid". It would be an 8 wheel skid if your trailer is tandem. Basically the tow vehicle and trailer slide one way or the other and can start spinning wildly with either the tow vehicle or the trailer spinning the other. Not fun (carry extra undies for this).

-jeff b.

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2000 F150 4x4 SC/SB 5.4 Auto, Tow Package, ORP (with the sticker for 2000), Cab Steps, Lariet.
Oxford White/Harvest Gold 2 tone.



[This message has been edited by FarmBoy (edited 09-20-2000).]

 

Do you have sway/torsion bars on your hitch to the trailer?? Even if you're not in snow, they will help. And of course a brake controler for the trailer because I can tell you (from experience ) that if you don't have that then you will not be stopping that trailer until you run into something. Can you put chains on the trailer tires??? Or upgrade them to snow tires???

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Thanks for the replys. Farm boy, you pretty much discribe what I'm afraid of. While braking, I'm worried that either the trailer brakes will be over powered and cause a skid or they will be under powered and push the truck into a skid.

Tina, I haven't had any problems with sway so I've never installed the sway controlers. I've thought about the chains. I don't know what effect they would have being that the trailer wheels are not drive(powered) wheels. I can picture the trailer wheels locking up and skidding on the snow between the cross links so what would be the point of chains. Anyways, I'm hoping that we'll have a mild early winter and I won't have this problem. Thanks!

 

re:

Thanks for the replys. Farm boy, you pretty much discribe what I'm afraid of. While braking, I'm worried that either the trailer brakes will be over powered and cause a skid or they will be under powered and push the truck into a skid.
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Yeah, there is a pretty fine line there. Basically give yourself room, and try breaking if you can. The bad part is when you start out the trip on dry, and it gets slippery before you know it. Truck breaks loose....whole rig goes sideways. One of the most important things is get the tongue weight right when towing in ice/snow conditions. More important than when on dry.
If you get it wrong you'll know it, but it may be too late. I've towed many miles with snowmobile trailers in tow. All over MI, ontario, quebec, ME, etc.... towing is a challenge in winter conditions. The most important thing is take your time, give yourself room, and no sudden movements.

-jeff b.


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2000 F150 4x4 SC/SB 5.4 Auto, Tow Package, ORP (with the sticker for 2000), Cab Steps, Lariet.
Oxford White/Harvest Gold 2 tone.