Pulling Travel Trailer In Snow (Can You Tow In The Snow?)
When you get caught in the snow it is okay to continue towing. The key is to adjust your driving so you do not put yourself in a risky situation. Road conditions are always an issue you have to watch out for even when there is no snow and ice on the road
To tow in the snow safely, you should buy some cable chains, or similar type of chains, and have them in a storage bin. Then when it snows you are ready to for icy conditions on the road. Be prepared as you never know when a spring snowstorm will hit in the mountains.
To learn more on towing in the snow just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can tow safely in this type of weather. You just have to be more careful in snow than you would be driving in the rain.
Travel Trailer In Snow 101
Can You Tow a Travel Trailer in The Snow?
Yes, there is no law stopping you from towing in the snow. However, there may be laws telling you what you need on your tires and axles when the snow starts to fall.
What you need to know when you are towing is the weight cut off. Those trailers and tow vehicles that weigh under 10,000 pounds have one set of rules to follow. Those rules include standard chain requirements.
Those requirements mean that you have to put chains on your tow vehicle but not your trailer. If your tow vehicle and trailer weigh over 10,000 pounds, then you have a different set of rules to follow.
Those rules include that all vehicle tires, including 4-wheel drive models, must have their tires chained. When it comes to the trailer, at least one tire needs to have chains on it.
Plus, you need to carry chains with you between November 1st and April 1st at all times. That is if you are driving over one of the mountain passes in the western United States.
Is It Safe To Pull a Trailer in Snow?
It is if you take safety precautions and follow some tips for towing in the snow. As long as you are not driving like you would when the roads are nice and dry and there is sunshine all day, you should do well when towing.
Here are a few tips to guide your snow towing time:
1. Slow down- the roads can get fairly slick during a snow storm and if it is cold enough ice will form. The real dangerous ice is black ice and you have to be careful when driving over it.
Cut your speed down considerably so you do not start slipping and sliding when you hit a patch of ice.
2. Maintain a safe driving distance- you are not going to stop as fast on snowy roads as you would on dry roads. Keep a good distance between you and the car in front of you.
The recommended stopping distance on snowy roads is 180+ feet and for icy roads it is 6500+ feet
3. Put chains on your tires- if you really want to be safe, then put chains on all tires including your trailer.
Pulling a Travel Trailer in The Snow
One of the things you may have noticed or given a warning about is trailer sway. While many RV owners put sway bars on their hitches, etc., these are not always made to work in snow or icy conditions.
If you know you are going to be towing in the snow, you should buy the type of sway bar that works in all weather conditions. Not all of them do and it is easy to assume that they do work in snow.
That would be a risky mistake to make. When you do tow, watch your handling of your tow vehicle. It is easy to forget that any little movement becomes a big move by the time it reaches your trailer.
Those sharp movements can throw your trailer off and end up giving you a lot of problems before you finally get it back under control. Traveling at a lower rate of speed is a good thing to do as you get more control over a slow moving trailer than a faster one.
Tips For Towing a Camper in The Snow
We have provided you with a few tips already. This section will add to that list so you know what to do when you are caught in a surprise snowstorm:
1. Do not use cruise control- there are several reasons why you should avoid using this feature. One is that you may relax too much and not pay a lot of attention to your driving.
Another is the automatic speed shifts carried out by this feature can cause you some stabilization problems.
2. Lower your trailer brake pressure- having the brakes hit hard and fast on dry roads is what you want. However, this is not good for snowy or icy conditions.
Put your trailer brakes on the lightest setting and test how they work. If not so good you may move them up to a harder setting. But go in increments until you get the brake pressure that is safe for towing.
3. Put snow tires on your trailer- this will give you added traction which is always a good thing. These may or may not have studs and if they do you can use them to your advantage.
Pick a good snow tire so you do not have any blowouts while driving up or down a mountain pass.
4. when in doubt, find a place to stop- if you are unsure of the road conditions or they are very severe. Find a place to stop and spend the night. Things should be better in the morning, usually.
Don’t push it as you have a lot to lose if you drive on and make a mistake.
Do I Need Snow Chains On My Travel Trailer?
If your gross vehicle weight rating is under 10,000 pounds, then no, you do not need chains on your trailer tires. This weight limit applies to the combined weight of your tow vehicle and trailer.
If the combined weight is 10,0001 pounds and above, then you need at least one trailer tire with chains. Plus, you need to carry 2 spare chains and plastic ones are banned.
These rules generally apply to driving in the mountain passes. But they are good rules to follow if you are on flat roads that have a lot of snow on them. Check with the DOT to find out more when towing in snow.
Also, check your state’s DOT when you are traveling on state roads and not federal ones.
Can You Tow With Snow Tires?
Yes, you can and it is a good idea to have snow tires on your trailer when you are towing in the snow. The snow tires offer a wider tread as well as studs on some tire models.
These two features give you better traction and better handling. Those two items are what you want when you tow on snow covered roads or under snowy conditions.
The key to getting the right tire is not go cheap. Snow tires are made by many companies around the world but they are not all made to the same standards. Just watch the brand that you buy.
In this case buying a top brand’s snow tires will be your best option. They usually last a very long time even under some rough driving conditions.
Towing Camper With Snow Tires
There are several things to check before you buy. One will be who made them and where. In many cases, the country of origin should be placed on the side of the tires with all the other pertinent tire information.
You do not want to buy inferior tires as they can deform under the weight and blowout on you. The second thing to watch for will be the speed rating. Tires are made to go only so fast and that is it. Going faster puts the tires and you at risk.
The third thing to look at will be the weight rating. You do not want snow tires on your axles hat cannot handle the trailer’s weight. Your tire dealer should be able to help you with picking out the right tires for your trailer.
Some Final Words
Pulling a trailer in the snow will be like pulling it in better weather. The difference will be in how you drive, the type of tires you use, and the type of equipment you have on your hitch.
This can be done safely if you follow the above tips. Watch your driving habits as well. Driving on snow and ice demand special care and very careful attention. Black ice does not always appear and when it does it is usually when you least expect it.
