Snow & Ice

[freshair98]

Hi….I’ve driven in snow and ice for over 50 years. Never drive in it unless you don’t have a choice….

[LU86Guppy]

Re all of the above-
Yes- snow camping is great. Done it in a rig, in a tent, in a lean to and on a motorcycle. That said- as far as bad road conditions are concerned while towing, I agree with the majority above. LAY OUT for a day or three. No sense risking it.
Also- studded tires are mentioned above. They are INCREDIBLE. Ran them for many years in WNY, and love them.
HOWEVER- they’re illegal in Michigan, Canada, and I’m not sure where else.
Also- studs can only be installed (by law in NY anyhow) on brand new tires.
Worthless and a little dangerous on dry roads, so it’s a summer/winter thing with a whole other set of rims if you want to make it easy.

Too much said, but “When in Doubt, Lay Out.”
Safe travels!

[bweybright]

Originally Posted by Airwave503

I have towed my trailer in the snow and snow camped with it countless times in Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming. If you're going to be doing it a lot, it's worth it to get studded tires for the winter, then you will likely never have to chain up. But chains work fine and no, they don't go on the trailer. You chain the wheels where the drive is or in the case of 4wd, the back wheels of your TV.

Follow the snowmobiler YouTubes....all they do is tow trailers up to the deep snow. They've got it down. Snow camping is an experience not to be missed!

Sorry to correct you, but in Oregon if you have trailer with brakes you then need a drag chain on a trailer brake that is so equipped. Now snow mobile trailers don't have brakes so you are spot on there. But for trailers with brakes a drag chain is definitely required.
And having towed a trailer with surge brakes down Cabbage hill....trust me drag brakes are needed.
Now if you don't give a crap and not read the chain laws then go for it dude.
Snow mobile trailers are waaaaaay different than an travel trailer behind you and pushing you. I personally have had a fun experience with a light trailer pushing me down an icy interstate highway....I know from personal experience, hence why I felt comfortable correcting your post.

[bel73]

I have a 23' dual axle snowmobile trailer and yes, it does have brakes.

[bweybright]

A good day then....I learned something new. Thank you.
So in Oregon when chain requirements are in place you would need them on the trailer as a drag chain.
Now we can discuss the stupidity of that on a trailer with surge brakes.....but it is the law when I towed out here with trailers on surge brakes.
drag chains on surge brakes doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. But electric brakes or air brakes I get it.
Thank you for helping to educate me.

[Saluda372]

Have owned a couple of V nose snowmobile trailers with brakes.

[Airwave503]

Originally Posted by bweybright

A good day then....I learned something new. Thank you.
So in Oregon when chain requirements are in place you would need them on the trailer as a drag chain.
Now we can discuss the stupidity of that on a trailer with surge brakes.....but it is the law when I towed out here with trailers on surge brakes.
drag chains on surge brakes doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. But electric brakes or air brakes I get it.
Thank you for helping to educate me.

You may have me on the letter of chain law in Oregon. I haven't read up on it. I can just tell you that you can go up to any sno-park on Hood on a blizzardy day when people are chaining up and you will be hard pressed to find anyone putting chains only on their trailer. Not saying having chains on both the TV and trailer wouldn't provide extra safety, but if you only have one set their going on the TV.

[suncoasteng]

Nobody should drive on snow or ice covered roads, except for emergency responders. Just watch how many wreckers get dispatched every time the flakes fly. i grew up in the Maine woods. They did not run the plows until it quit snowing. Drivers today think they are invincible because they have 4x4.
They never played with dry ice pucks in physics class. 4x4 dont do squat when stopping

[Thiss]

No one”

That’s a pretty universal statement. Half our state would have to shut down if we followed that rule and there wouldn’t be any winter recreation either. “Hey skiers, we are shutting you down.

Winter driving is all about tires, weight, and a light touch on the controls. Nothing to it when properly equipped.



To the OP: Get winter tires. Non studded are probably best for not being in the snow and ice always. Winter tires are better all around in Oregon for the wet and cold. Make sure your hitch is ok in inclimate weather. Get a set of drag chains or snow socks for the trailer. Whether you use them or not, Oregon requires that you carry them for both the vehicle and the towable.

[Airwave503]

And one more tip....snow is easiest to shovel right after it falls!

[JJTX]

Snow and ice means Stopped and PARKED.

Period.

As a side note, using 4wd on hard packed surfaces can damage the drivetrain, regardless of the surface. An AWD system engages as needed, but a 4x4 truck is not meant to be used like this and it will tell you in the book. It will not help you in towing on a paved road except maybe for getting started from a stop. But leaving it engaged is a bad idea to have all 4 wheels active and you'd have a good chance of pulling yourself straight into a ditch or guadrail.

Use chains if you have to risk your life and tow an RV and leave the 4wd off except for intermittent use.