Towing travel trailer in the snow

[rvshrinker]

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!

[rhagfo]

bobndot wrote:
I'm towing a Snowmobile trailer on snow covered roads and yesterday I saw more towed trailers than I normally see on the road during the summer months. The scary part is, they are towing faster than I tow during the summer months. These guys are passing me one after the other. No chains .

Curious as to how slow you tow your snowmobile trailer? I once towed a horse, with horse home to Portland from Western Ohio in early December. We hit snow as we crested the Rockies just east of Butte on I90, we had snow covered roads from there to Just east of Spokane. 4X4 F250, towed at about 50 to 55, as it was cold dry snow. The condition and temperature make a huge difference in how much traction snow provides. Cold dry snow has traction about the same as wet roads, where warm wet snow packs into wet ice, which has about zero traction!

[Lynnmor]

bobndot wrote:
I'm towing a Snowmobile trailer on snow covered roads and yesterday I saw more towed trailers than I normally see on the road during the summer months. The scary part is, they are towing faster than I tow during the summer months. These guys are passing me one after the other. No chains .

I have towed my snowmobile trailer in most of the northern states in all kinds of conditions. Of course we snowmobilers seek out the snowiest regions and travel on whatever roads can get us there. I too have never seen chains being used on a trailer and very rarely on the truck.

[bobndot]

I'm towing a Snowmobile trailer on snow covered roads and yesterday I saw more towed trailers than I normally see on the road during the summer months. The scary part is, they are towing faster than I tow during the summer months. These guys are passing me one after the other. No chains .

[ppine]

Towing trailers in snow is difficult. Check with the Highway Patrol for your state regs.

I have been required in CA and NV to put chains on the "drive wheels" of my truck. For a 4wd truck that means the rear wheels. I carry chains for all 4 wheels. I have never put chains on the trailer wheels, but when the road surface gets slippery, the trailer tends to break loose on the outside of turns and pull your rear axle with it.

Unless you are towing only a short distance, I would rethink your plan. It is a PITA to put chains on your tow vehicle and trailer and then drive at chain speed. I would rather stay in a hotel if it is a long trip, or just commute to the ski area if it is close by.

[enblethen]

Get your tire size as some styles not available in all.
I would stay with convention cross link.
Tire chains

[rvshrinker]

Hi thanks for all the help, folks.

Re: my brakes, it’s a new truck with under 4000 miles and 7 months old so think the tires and brakes are great. It’s due for a dealer inspect at the 12 mo mark, I changed my own oil at 6 mo.

Now on to the more contentious issue: Does it matter what kind of chains I get? I see diamond, cable, etc...

[GrandpaKip]

DutchmenSport wrote:

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?

🙂

Me, too. My first thought was, “l don’t want my trailer skiing.”

[rhagfo]

SoundGuy wrote:
Interesting subject, as for those of us here in S Ontario the use of chains is banned, with a fine of $1000 if you do.

Canadian Tire Chain Laws

In the US it would appear the rules also vary from state to state.

US Tire Chain Laws

The reason is difference in topography Ontario is pretty flat, just like the plain states tire chains are not even sold, BUT the extreme east coast, Rocky’s and Cascades, Sierras you are required to carry throughout the winter months.

[SoundGuy]

Interesting subject, as for those of us here in S Ontario the use of chains is banned, with a fine of $1000 if you do.

Canadian Tire Chain Laws

In the US it would appear the rules also vary from state to state.

US Tire Chain Laws

[rhagfo]

ScottG wrote:
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.

Well traveling in Oregon or Washington in winter traveling the passes in the Cascades the law is you are required to carry chains for bot the TV and trailer. If you get stopped or stuck and don’t have chains you can face a ticket and fine.
I have a set for both, TV are in the tool box, 5er in the basement.
Have towed in the snow by need and choice, one just needs to respect the conditions!

[troubledwaters]

NMDriver wrote:
IF you want all your brakes to work you need chains on all the tires or studded tires on all the wheels.

Absolutely true statement. But in this case he doesn't need all his brakes to work. If he was going to be traveling 80 mph he probably would want all his brakes to work. But assuming he is going to be driving sensibly, according to conditions, he only needs enough brakes to work to maintain control. You can always slow down so you aren't exceeding your braking ability.

Believe me, I follow people everyday driving on snow covered roads that believe they are on the hairs edge of doing many multiple 360's in the road at any second, even though they are traveling at a speed that is barely perceptible to the human eye. For them braking is not an issue, they could stop in a distance of less then 3 inches.

[DutchmenSport]

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?

🙂

[NMDriver]

IF you want all your brakes to work you need chains on all the tires or studded tires on all the wheels.

[path1]

Tips...

And the last time your brakes were adjusted?