Taking the toy hauler up to the ski resort? Any problems?

[lamopar]

So I have a 2003 Dodge Ram cummins 4X with good Toyo AT tires. I am pulling a 32' triple axel toy hauler weighing about 11K. I'm in Oregon going up about 4,000' to HooDoo ski resort. Just curious if others have done much towing in snow? I have never pulled this unit in the snow and just wonder what I am up against. Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated.

[RideSlow]

Wasn't using a toyhauler, but when I was a ski instructor, I had a 27' bumper pull, 1 set of the heavy lugged chains for the 4x4 Dodge QC, and a set of cables for the trailer. Taught all winter, almost every weekend. Never had the chains on either vehicle. Never had a problem. But I usually stayed slow and to the right, and when it iced up or had freezing rain, left the trailer at the resort. I also blew out all the water lines, and the water heater, and just used the water jugs. Put RV anti freeze in the black tank. Made for a somewhat austere camp, but I could get on the lifts early with the instructor jacket.

[lamopar]

I purchased chains for my truck and trailer. I have a heavily winterized trailer already that has full insulation under and tank heaters. I have been in it at about 18 degrees with no problem other than the water supply would not work. It was fine as I have 150 gallons of fresh water on board. I am going to check out the tips. I have only driven on about 1/2" of snow on the pass coming back from Bend once and didn't have any problem but there was no ice under. I definitely will leave if it looks like the weather is getting bad and if the weather is too bad leaving it there is a good idea. I'll post after we get back as long as the good skiing holds out. Going at the end of the month. Thanks for all the tips.

[WhitehouseLV]

If the roads are bad and your trying to get off the mountain with your TH & it starts sliding your at the mercy of it!

But it sounds like fun to me! I'm not familiar with the road(s) to the ski resort your wanting to go but in MT & WY there are several people who go up steep mountain passes without chains towing a 24-30' bumper pull snowmobile trailers. Probably in the 5-10k lb range.

Use common sense and if the roads are bad, wait it out or leave early if the roads are going to get bad. You could always leave your toyhauler up there and bring it down on a good day. The weather doesn't appear to be that bad at least for the 10 day forecast. We camp in those temps at the end of the camping season in the fall.

I can't imagine a ski resort not having the roads to it plowed and sanded. Go have fun and take some pics and post about your experience.

[nayther]

IF I was going into a known sub-freezing environment I'd definitely take some precautions, like a heater in the under belly, heat tape on the drain line and plastic film inside the windows for rudimentary storm windows, single pane glass will lose a LOT of heat and you'll feel the draft as the cold air falls across the windows. Most trailers have windows right behind the seating so you're sitting very close to major heat loss source.

[Y-Guy]

Some good tips in this Prepping your Motorhome for Cold Weather RVing it might be written for motohome owners but some good advice for all RVers.

[Dirtclods]

Your tanks may freeze up.

[fly-boy]

Strabo wrote:
Coldest I've had our hauler in was 11 degrees, and that plain sucked. With heaters running it never got comfy, just loud.

Chris (Fly), your right, only way to go was a condo with a hot tub, my kind of roughing it in the cold. Our hauler was never ment to be used in temps around 11, we could feel the cold seep thru the walls and Windows big time!!!

Yup! You can do it but why?
As for being the first one on the lift- I would rather ski out of the house/condo down to the lift or get on the gondola in the lobby of my hotel! 🙂

[lamopar]

Thanks for the added information on Tombstone. I have pulled over it several times with the trailer and it has been slow going with the incline. I think I will take your advice and just drive up to Mill City then take 22 over. I have been out in my hauler when it was 26 and we did pretty good. It has a winter package and heaters in the tanks so with the plug in's at the site we should be just fine.

[carringb]

Keep in mind Tombstone has the steepest climb and sharpest curves. If you haven't driven the trailer that way in good weather I don't recommend trying it now.

Also, overnight plowing is often just a single center pass, so it's really just one wide lane for both directions. I've had to put one side into the deep snow for oncoming traffic.

[Strabo]

Coldest I've had our hauler in was 11 degrees, and that plain sucked. With heaters running it never got comfy, just loud.

Chris (Fly), your right, only way to go was a condo with a hot tub, my kind of roughing it in the cold. Our hauler was never ment to be used in temps around 11, we could feel the cold seep thru the walls and Windows big time!!!

[lamopar]

Thanks for the chain and road suggestions. I figured I would go over Tombstone heading up to HooDoo but head back down 22 to the lower hills that are free of snow to get home. Might take an extra 1/2 hour but well worth it. So do you put the chains on before you hit the snow going up or give it a wait and see method? I figured I would use trip check to see what it looked like on the ODOT cameras and if is snow packed put the chains on ahead of time just before the snow or right when it starts.

[DB_Cooper]

I avoid Tombstone pass when the conditions are questionable. I carry a set of chains for the truck and trailer in case I get caught in a storm. I only go over if the roads are clear. I would also make sure you have a good quality brake controller. Some of the cheaper controllers get grabby.

[carringb]

canuck 1 wrote:
Carry chains for the truck and the trailer.... all axles, Cables will work on steer and trailer axles, heavy lug for the drivers.

Good point. I actually carry chains for the front as well. If freezing rain hits, chaining the front axle is absolutely necessary when coming down the cascades with a trailer.

It's all worth it though. Sure is nice getting up in a nice warm trailer, making breakfast, and being on the first chair up on a powder day:)

[canuck_1]

Carry chains for the truck and the trailer.... all axles, Cables will work on steer and trailer axles, heavy lug for the drivers. Not a big deal, momentum is your friend going up and your enemy going down. Make sure you have lots of propane and generator fuel as well. A ladder and push broom to clean off the slides and roof. A small dehumidifier and fan for the garage to dry the snow gear