I want to take my trailer skiing. I wouldn’t go in a storm, but I need to be prepared in case the roads are icy or we get a little snow.According to my state regs, I need chains for both the TV and the trailer, but it’s not more specific than that.- for the trailer, I read about “Drag chains”. What are those, how are those different from “tire chains”?- I have a two axle trailer. Do I need 2 tires chained, or 4? If 2, I assume I chain the axle with brakes. If both have brakes, do I chain the rear or front axle? - For the TV, which is a 4x4 full ton truck, do I chain just the 2 rear wheels (drive wheels) assuming I’m only using those 2 if I’m not in 4x4? Although, naturally it would make sense to be in 4x4 if I’m towing in snow.- Other than “go really slow, be really careful, leave lots of room for braking” and “I’d stay home if I were you,” do you have any suggestions or tips?Thanks!

Drag chains are conventional tire chains that go on a farthest back braking axle to "drag" the trailer to slow it down rather coming around and hitting TV. You must have one on each side of trailer.You do not have to install chains on four wheel drive unless signs say to. You must carry chains.WA winter drivingNote that in WA vehicles over 10,000 must adhereWA chain placementOR chain placement

Consider building a homemade ramp from 2x6s to made chain installation on a two axel TT easy...changing flat tires too. Run front tire up, put on or take off chain on rear tire, run down, next side.

thanks for the quick reply!I think 4WD needs chains if it’s towing regardless of weight?ok, so I need just ‘tire chains’ for the rear trailer braking axle (1 set), plus (probably) chains for the truck (though not if I’m not towing?).regarding 10,000 lb, my truck empty is under that weight but over that weight GVWR (full ton). Do I need to chain or not if I’m actually under 10,000?

No chains when towing with four wheel drive.Combination weight over 10,000. No chains when in four wheel drive.I find chains at junk stores. I carry them in MH but only one has been on rig to make sure they fit. From winter driving brochure:Tire Chains Required: All vehicles must have approved tire chains, except four- and all-wheel-drive vehicles.** Violators face a $500 fine.

Here we were a couple of weeks ago towing over a pass in Oregon. I was surprised how good the truck did. No slipping at all but I credit a lot of that to the heavy (950#) Cummins in front.Signs stated anything over 10K# or anything towing is required to use chains. There was no exception for 4WD. Usually if you have 4WD you don't have to use chains but towing and heavy weight is a different matter. I had checked the weather and no precip was forecasted. I don't have any chains anyway because I've never needed them with the Dodge.OTOH, I would never intentionally head into snow with a trailer in tow. It's just not the risk to me.

Towing travel trailer in the snow | Good Sam Community

enblethen
Nomad
Jan 08, 2018
Drag chains are conventional tire chains that go on a farthest back braking axle to "drag" the trailer to slow it down rather coming around and hitting TV. You must have one on each side of trailer.
You do not have to install chains on four wheel drive unless signs say to. You must carry chains.
WA winter driving
Note that in WA vehicles over 10,000 must adhere
WA chain placement

OR chain placement
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jan 08, 2018
Consider building a homemade ramp from 2x6s to made chain installation on a two axel TT easy...changing flat tires too. Run front tire up, put on or take off chain on rear tire, run down, next side.
rvshrinker
Explorer III
Jan 08, 2018
thanks for the quick reply!

I think 4WD needs chains if it’s towing regardless of weight?

ok, so I need just ‘tire chains’ for the rear trailer braking axle (1 set), plus (probably) chains for the truck (though not if I’m not towing?).

regarding 10,000 lb, my truck empty is under that weight but over that weight GVWR (full ton). Do I need to chain or not if I’m actually under 10,000?
enblethen
Nomad
Jan 08, 2018
No chains when towing with four wheel drive.
Combination weight over 10,000. No chains when in four wheel drive.
I find chains at junk stores. I carry them in MH but only one has been on rig to make sure they fit.
From winter driving brochure:
Tire Chains Required: All vehicles must have approved tire chains, except four- and all-wheel-drive vehicles.** Violators face a $500 fine.
ScottG
Nomad
Jan 08, 2018
Here we were a couple of weeks ago towing over a pass in Oregon.

I was surprised how good the truck did. No slipping at all but I credit a lot of that to the heavy (950#) Cummins in front.

Signs stated anything over 10K# or anything towing is required to use chains. There was no exception for 4WD.

Usually if you have 4WD you don't have to use chains but towing and heavy weight is a different matter.

I had checked the weather and no precip was forecasted. I don't have any chains anyway because I've never needed them with the Dodge.

OTOH, I would never intentionally head into snow with a trailer in tow. It's just not the risk to me.
old_guy
Explorer
Jan 08, 2018
I have towed a TT during elk season and chaining up is almost a must and if you are going to chain up the truck it would not hurt to chain up the TT also. never assume it isn't that bad. here in eastern Oregon it does get that bad
ROBERTSUNRUS
Explorer
Jan 08, 2018
:) Hi, no chains if you have traction tires. I have been caught in the snow several times and I don't have any tire chains. Only thing that I do is reduce the setting on my brake controller. Not enough room for tire chains on my trailer even though it's the law.
path1
Explorer
Jan 08, 2018
Tips...

And the last time your brakes were adjusted?
NMDriver
Explorer
Jan 08, 2018
IF you want all your brakes to work you need chains on all the tires or studded tires on all the wheels.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jan 08, 2018
rvshrinker wrote:
I want to take my trailer skiing. ...

I read your initial statement and immediately had an image in my head. I searched the Internet high and low for an image, this is the closest I could find what I saw in my head. Now, when that trailer starts down the slalom, maybe a set of reins attached to the tongue jack through a window?

:)