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12-22-2014, 01:17 PM
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#1
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New to Forest River
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 105
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Towing on snowy roads
Is there anyone with information regarding towing a TT over snow covered roads. We are heading South from Oregon later this winter and may be faced with plowed but snow covered roads going over mountain passes. I have chains for the tow vehicle (4WD) but am wondering about my Rockwood 2703WS TT. I could not find any info in the documentation for either TV or TT regarding the safest way to transit sanded snow covered roads.
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Grey Nomads:l Ron & Sue
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12-22-2014, 01:53 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Rule #1 (Forget Posted Speed Limits) use your head (Go Slow)! The Goof Ball who passes you going (70) will be in the ditch when you go by at (40)! You are Not going to have (2) sets of tires to change for (Snow?Ice),if it is Real Bad (Pull over and STOP)! There are No tires for a RV that are safe for (ICE) and probably not enough clearance for Chains! Long ago we ran (Studded Snow Tires) most States now outlaw them? Youroo!!
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12-22-2014, 03:20 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ortonville,Michigan
Posts: 40
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I have not towed through mountain passes on snowy roads, but I have towed plenty in Michigan in winter. Agree completely with Youroo, drive it so YOU are comfortable, and if you are too unsure, pull over and wait it out. A couple of tips: make sure your exhaust brake is off, if you have one. It can cause an unexpected skid or jackknife. Water spray from other vehicles' tires is a good sign of wet, rather than icy roads. Enjoy the trip!
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Rick
2015 Work and Play 30WRS
2011 Ram 2500 I-6
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12-23-2014, 10:05 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 2,058
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Towed quite a bit in winter conditions through the mountains of UT, CO an ID, and just drove like I would without a trailer. As mentioned earlier, drive sanely, no need to go fast and 4-wheel drive is great in snow, but not so great on slick snow or ice and it sure does NOT help in stopping. That's where tires become really important.
Biggest problem I ever had was downhill, and the trailer tires locking up when braking and causing the trailer to skid. I tow a small popup so it was easy to gain control, just by letting up on the brake; so probably a heck of a lot different with a long TT.
So drive to meet the conditions and make sure the horn works so you can honk and wave at those in the ditch, who drive like idiots, pass you like you are standing still and then end up in a ditch a mile down the road.
As for studded tires, I know that WA, OR, CA, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO all allow studded tires after certain dates in Oct or Nov. So if you can find studded for the trailer, it might be worth it; however, I'm sure you will need to go to truck tires. But if you take it easy, it should not be a problem.
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Trailer: Lifted 228BH, heavy duty springs and Yokohama tires DELAMINATED ROOF
TV: 2016 GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 CC, SLT
Spare TV: Two Alaskan Malamutes
Living somewhere in ID; previously lived in Moab UT; previous to that, don't ask!
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12-23-2014, 11:28 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 231
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Sway bars must be disengaged on slippery roads. WDHs with sway control usually are ok.
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2008 FR Salem 26TBUD
2010 FR R-Pod 171 (2009-2015)
2010 Chevy Suburban
Honda EU3000is inverter-generator
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12-23-2014, 11:34 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,031
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If chains are required you also will need chains on the TT tires. You will need the check the rules for each state that you are going to be driving through.
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Terry and Janet
2008 3001W Windjammer
2007 Ford F150
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12-23-2014, 11:47 AM
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#7
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Ret E-9 Anchor-clanker
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Genoa, ILL
Posts: 1,476
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Agree with Caper, better to have and not need than to need and not have.
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Don & Dona W/yorkies Gizmo, Master Chief, & Tali
2011 Flagstaff 8528 BHSS 2015 Ford 6.7 XLT
2010 Full Timers & Still Going
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12-23-2014, 12:30 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 25
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Just like Youroo, (Forget Posted Speed Limits) use your head (Go Slow), I drove several time in February in NY State going south, I drove slow, Keep a good distance, I mean real good distance to the front vehicle, If you have to break, and the trailer(5Th Wheels) lock, release the brake and apply them again. And if like appended twice to us. Snow storms start, so we stopped to the nearest truck stop until it clear.
Better to be safe then sorry.
Have a good trip.
Jean
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Jean & Lucille
2014 Crusader 325RES Touring Edition
2011 Silverado Duramax 6.6L W/Allison
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12-23-2014, 02:40 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: smith nevada
Posts: 100
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In our business we use our 5th wheel rv and have to travel over the Sierra several times over the course of the year. We only travel during daylight hours but have had to chain up truck and trailer many times. The Sierra mountains are relatively close to the oceans so conditions can be slushy and Icy making for some treacherous conditions. What works best for me is slow and i also turn my trailer brakes off as much as possible. I also tow with a Dodge Ram with exhaust brake which for me works very well in 4 wheel drive in these conditions. No matter I have had some white knuckle experiences even at slow speed. So slow is always good and driving ahead of yourself. And for me towing in these conditions is best done in day light hours.
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12-23-2014, 02:54 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Ontario
Posts: 521
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Take it slow and leave lots of room to brake. I have not towed our TT but have many miles of snow and ice with snowmobiles in a cargo trailer.
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Orval and Yvonne
2016 Flagstaff 27RLWS Emerald Package
2011 F150 SCrew XTR 5.0L 4x4
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12-23-2014, 05:31 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Missouri
Posts: 441
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Sway Bars
Quote:
Originally Posted by techntrek
Sway bars must be disengaged on slippery roads. WDHs with sway control usually are ok.
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Techntrek, just curious, but why would you disengage the sway bars? I would think allowing the trailer to sway would cause it to "fishtail" easier. Keeping the trailer going as straight as possible on snow with slower speeds, less aggressive braking/steering, and common sense driving is the best advise anyone can give you. Good luck.
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12-23-2014, 05:53 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,031
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They recommend disengaging friction sway when the roads are slippery. This also includes rain.
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Terry and Janet
2008 3001W Windjammer
2007 Ford F150
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12-23-2014, 09:54 PM
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#13
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Maron
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 253
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Okay, I'm with gfarmcafe. Can anyone go into more detail as to why we should disengage sway bars in wet or snowy conditions...please!
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12-23-2014, 10:13 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,443
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__________________
Think about things before you do them make life easier not harder.
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12-23-2014, 11:09 PM
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#15
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Maron
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 253
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Thanks Mark but that article seems specific to the Curt # 17200, whatever that is. I don't have that unit but I'd do have great sway bars & they work great.
Does anyone else have input on the use of sway bars in wet, snowy or gravel conditions?
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12-24-2014, 06:07 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Brookings
Posts: 561
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The law for Oregon and California is..chains on the tow vehicle and chains on the trailer.
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12-24-2014, 07:35 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 231
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It doesn't matter what model sway bar you own, read the directions, they all say to disengage them in slippery conditions.
From the Reese instructions:
When towing during slippery conditions such as wet, icy, or snow-covered roads or on loose gravel, turn on/off handle counterclockwise until all tension is removed from unit. Failure to do so could prevent tow vehicle and trailer from turning properly.
http://hitchpro.com/application/supp...ons/N26660.pdf
__________________
2008 FR Salem 26TBUD
2010 FR R-Pod 171 (2009-2015)
2010 Chevy Suburban
Honda EU3000is inverter-generator
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12-26-2014, 10:40 AM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 84
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I towed through the Blue Mountains last winter (Oregon, I-84)
The road was solid snow pack. 25 mph in 4wd was the fastest I was comfortable driving.
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12-26-2014, 10:43 AM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 84
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Quote:
Originally Posted by techntrek
Sway bars must be disengaged on slippery roads. WDHs with sway control usually are ok.
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Define what the difference is between a "sway bar" and a "sway control"
I'm familiar with the friction style sway control device commonly used with a weight distribution hitch.
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12-26-2014, 11:23 AM
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#20
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Denver, CO
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 2,102
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Quote:
Originally Posted by techntrek
Sway bars must be disengaged on slippery roads. WDHs with sway control usually are ok.
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???
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
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