Towing in snow?
Not that I would ptobably make a habit of it, but does anybody ever pull their trailer in the snow? I'm planning a trip over Thanksgiving, and in Michigan and Ohio there's always the potential for sn...
Forum Discussion
All you can do is start out driving SLOW, very SLOW and get a feel for the condition of the road. If snow is on the road, you definitely should not test fate and attempt to get in a hurry or attempt to meet any deadlines. Put your entire world in slow motion. Your one and only goal will be to drive SAFELY far enough you will get out of the snow! If it takes 3 days driving at 15 mph for 16 hours a day, then so be it. If you remember this one and only tip you really need, you'll be just fine! Absolutely do not over drive your limitation. Unfortunately, even driving the family car, folks over drive road conditions in inclement weather. Don't fall to temptation, feel cocky and overdrive the conditions.
Second, trailer brakes should activate stronger than your tow vehicle. You want the trailer braking first. If not, the weight of the trailer will push the tow vehicle and on slippery wet roads, you absolutely will not have any control. At least, if the trailer brakes first, the trailer will stay straight in line and help keep the tow vehicle straight.
Third, if you have 4x4, snowy roads where you don't see any asphalt any more, only white stuff, will be your friend.
Coming through the mountains of West Virginia one winter, we were in a blizard, some stretches were pure white-out conditions in daylight. I was moving along about 15 mph, as was everything else on that interstate, when I decided I'd had enough and needed to rest a while. Coming off the cloverleaf type ramp, uphill the trailer wanted to go straight, the truck wanted to skid to the right. I immediately flipped on 4x4, the tires caught hold enough, it stopped the skidding, and I was able to finally pull the trailer up the curved hill. From that point forward, for the next several hours, I kept the truck in 4x4.
Snow is no fun. It's dangerous enough just driving, but towing anything adds a new complexity you just have to experience. Once you done it, you understand. It's hard to put in words.
Second, trailer brakes should activate stronger than your tow vehicle. You want the trailer braking first. If not, the weight of the trailer will push the tow vehicle and on slippery wet roads, you absolutely will not have any control. At least, if the trailer brakes first, the trailer will stay straight in line and help keep the tow vehicle straight.
Third, if you have 4x4, snowy roads where you don't see any asphalt any more, only white stuff, will be your friend.
Coming through the mountains of West Virginia one winter, we were in a blizard, some stretches were pure white-out conditions in daylight. I was moving along about 15 mph, as was everything else on that interstate, when I decided I'd had enough and needed to rest a while. Coming off the cloverleaf type ramp, uphill the trailer wanted to go straight, the truck wanted to skid to the right. I immediately flipped on 4x4, the tires caught hold enough, it stopped the skidding, and I was able to finally pull the trailer up the curved hill. From that point forward, for the next several hours, I kept the truck in 4x4.
Snow is no fun. It's dangerous enough just driving, but towing anything adds a new complexity you just have to experience. Once you done it, you understand. It's hard to put in words.
