wnjj wrote:
When driving in snow, speeds should be low enough that sway won't be an issue. With low friction between the tire and the ground, you don't want high friction at the hitch. It could make quick steering and counter-steering difficult in the event of a skid.
All the responses so far have been very good. I will second what wnjj stated and add a little more.
Heavy rain, the start of rain after long dry period (grease/slime on road) ice covered roads, wet sloppy snow etc create slippery road conditions. The slippery condition however it was created, creates a bad situation if the tow vehicle starts sliding. In this case you really do not want the trailer rigid to the back of the truck. This could make a bad situation worse as it is then harder for the truck to return driving straight or come back under control.
The manufacture needs to "warn" of the condition to help shed liability back on them. The "need" is to understand and use the hitch tools the way they were intended. They are not intended to be used when the truck does not have high traction to the road surface.
When road conditions are slippery, you need to slow down. Now what is slow and what is fast? There is no magic answer to all conditions but if the truck or trailer is sliding, it is too fast. 45 mph is sort of a rule of thumb that unstable trailers even on dry pavement can start to get out of control. By going faster, the unbalanced trailer is now more easily triggered into a sway event. By going slower it may not get out of control. Also pending how bad the out of balance on the GVW to the TW percent can shift that 45 mph up or down.
Point: If it is slippery out, slow down regardless of the friction sway bar. If it remains slippery and you have to tow, unhook or release the tension on the friction sway bar until the road conditions become good again for towing. The best can be, tow only until you can get off the road in a safe place and park it until things get better. You are then in control and not at the demise of what slippery roads towing can present.
Have a good trip and be safe. Hope this helps
John
