Towing In Snow Who's Done It?

You might want to send a private message to the moderator of the Tow Vehicle forum Blt2ski. Marty has had extensive towing experience in the mountains both for recreation and for his business. He probably will also find this thread and contribute. He knows the rules and can and will be a great help.
Good luck! :)
Barney

You should read through this from WSDOTWA chain requirements
If you are over 10,000 pounds you need a drag chain on farthest back braking axle.

I probably have at least 50,000 miles towing in the snow.

You might already know this, but https://tripcheck.com is the best resource for knowing when chains are required (it'll show a solid blue dot at each affected pass). Chain laws are posted here too: https://tripcheck.com/Pages/Minimum-Chain-Requirements

And yes, chains on the trailer are required. Only one set. Running chains on adjacent tires will make they wrap around each-other and break.

I run Heavy Duty quick-fit chains from Les Schwab on my drive-wheels, but I switched to quick-fit cables on the trailer, because of limited shock-mount clearance. I like these better anyways on the trailer. Haven't had an issue with either. I used to have camlocks, but they're a PITA to install, and the ride sucks.

Idaho doesn't have a chain law, but you could be cited if you block a highway because you don't have traction. But usually, the snow in Idaho has far less moisture than the typical Cascade stuff, so traction is generally much better.

There's no reason to change tire pressure when running chains. Just run the recommended value for your actual tire load. Do make sure your tread is in shape. That'll help immensely in transition conditions, where roads may be slick but chains are not required.

Be careful of morning shadows on east-bound lanes. You can have 3 lanes that are clear, but that dark shadow cast by trees on the south side of the road can easily be black ice.

What part of Idaho? I-84 can be bad even in "good" weather through the Blues. Other routes could be slower but better road conditions.
Best option is wait for weather to break!

I have towed my 5W in snow over Wolf Creek, not by choice. Unpredicted snow going E/B and 4" on the road by the time I hit the summit, 4X4 truck with shift on the fly. I grew up in WI and drove commercial in the 11 western states so plenty of snow. Many states require a drag chain as stated. Chains required means the roads **** already so you can lay in the snow getting the chains tight enough not to beat the tow vehicle to death, trailer will be worse with even less clearance.

Why would you tow in snow when you do not need to? Snows the best reason when RVing to stay right where you are, warm and dry until roads are clear.

I tow in the snow all the time. Well not as much as I’d like to. 32’ enclosed snomachine trailer. Now it’s not as heavy as a TT and w 4wd and siped mud tires, I’ve never used chains on a highway or paved road on the truck or trailer. They only come out on icy hills or in real bad spots.
Personally I would not want to tow and chain up a 2wd unless absolutely necessary.
Marginal traction you may need to just chain the drive axle.
Poor traction, all 4 plus one of the trailer axles.
Once you have chains on, you’re going slow enough to handle just about whatever is hooked up.
And as mentioned. Warm, wet greasy coastal concrete is way worse than champagne powder. And everything else is in between.

Depending on your actual axle loads, lowering tire pressure to the minimum acceptable pressure does wonders for traction, as does tire tread type and depth.
What would keep you from moving anywhere with half bald 80psi pavement pounder tires would be no issue for aired down snow and ice tires or siped AT tires with good tread depth.

If chained up though, air pressure is not a limiting factor though as you’re not relying on the tires traction appreciably at that point.

However if 2wd, heavy trailer and you have to ask the question, take it very slow if you’re not very comfortable driving in snow.

Family emergency or I wouldn't even consider it. I will be on I 84 the pass out of Pendleton it what concerns me. If the weather is bad I will just leave the trailer on the Pendleton side and come back to it. Just getting prepared in case. I have seen them close the I 84 at Troutdale before due to snow.

What is recommended towing speed when using snow chains. Don't think I can keep up with those 18 wheelers!!

carringb wrote:
I probably have at least 50,000 miles towing in the snow.

You might already know this, but https://tripcheck.com is the best resource for knowing when chains are required (it'll show a solid blue dot at each affected pass). Chain laws are posted here too: https://tripcheck.com/Pages/Minimum-Chain-Requirements

And yes, chains on the trailer are required. Only one set. Running chains on adjacent tires will make they wrap around each-other and break.

I run Heavy Duty quick-fit chains from Les Schwab on my drive-wheels, but I switched to quick-fit cables on the trailer, because of limited shock-mount clearance. I like these better anyways on the trailer. Haven't had an issue with either. I used to have camlocks, but they're a PITA to install, and the ride sucks.

Idaho doesn't have a chain law, but you could be cited if you block a highway because you don't have traction. But usually, the snow in Idaho has far less moisture than the typical Cascade stuff, so traction is generally much better.

There's no reason to change tire pressure when running chains. Just run the recommended value for your actual tire load. Do make sure your tread is in shape. That'll help immensely in transition conditions, where roads may be slick but chains are not required.

Be careful of morning shadows on east-bound lanes. You can have 3 lanes that are clear, but that dark shadow cast by trees on the south side of the road can easily be black ice.

X2, to tire pressure adjusted to the load on the tires, if you run at max pressure and are only running half load then you are sacrificing traction with too hard a tire.