Towing a trailer in the snow means road conditions are less than ideal. Much like when you are driving in the snow without a trailer, you should prepare your vehicle and trailer before you hit the road and adjust how to drive. Check out these top tips for towing in the snow to help you get to your destination safely.
How To Tow A Trailer In The Snow
Watch Your Speed
This applies when you are towing a trailer any time of year, but especially when towing a trailer in the snow. It might sound obvious, but it is easy to slip into your usual driving habits and let your foot get a little too heavy on the gas pedal. High speeds and bad weather can affect the behavior of your trailer and could cause trailer sway. Be mindful of how long it will take you to get to your destination and account for the additional time due to simply towing a trailer and then add a little more to compensate for the snow.
Consider Different Tires
Driving in snow and ice will affect your tires ability to grip the road. Traction is a vital part of towing a trailer in the winter, so consider outfitting your trailer with winter tires. This can go a long way in giving your trailer the traction you need to turn, accelerate, and stop with confidence. If your vehicle has tires that are less ideal for snowy weather, it will be beneficial to put winter tires on your tow vehicle as well.
Get a Maintenance Check
Before you hit the road, you will also want to have regular maintenance checks done on your trailer and tow vehicle, especially if you are taking a long trip. In doing so, you can feel confident that your vehicle won’t break down and you won’t have any unexpected issues with your trailer.
Install Trailer Brakes
Having trailer brakes when towing in snow can help distribute the braking force between the tow vehicle and the trailer, making it less likely to experience any sliding or fishtailing when stopping. The more predictable your trailer behavior can be on snow, the better it is for you and your safety. Trailer brakes will help you maintain control over your load when winter towing conditions get tricky.
Avoid Using Cruise Control
While cruise control is a very convenient feature, you should never use it while towing in the snow. One reason for this is that by letting the cruise control take over, you might be more likely to lose focus and will react slower in a dangerous situation. The second reason is that cruise control systems are not smart enough to detect what the weather is like, so if the snow is packed, your vehicle could accelerate at the wrong time and potentially destabilize your rig.
Have the Right Towing Equipment
We already mentioned swapping your tires when towing in the snow, but you will also want to install a weight distribution hitch. If you are carrying a heavy load, there is a chance you may experience trailer sway. This can be caused by weather, wind, or an unevenly loaded trailer. When conditions are snowy, icy, or wet, your trailer and tow vehicle are more likely to need additional support in maintaining control. The risk of trailer sway increases even more when the trailer and tow vehicle lack proper weight distribution.
Prevent Trailer Sway in Snowy Conditions
Many trailer sway control devices cannot be used in snowy or icy weather. However, the SwayPro weight distribution hitch can be used in all weather conditions. SwayPro prevents trailer sway before it starts, using spring bars to keep constant pressure inward to hold the trailer in place. This highly effective type of trailer sway prevention is easy to install and is one of the safest, user-friendly sway prevention systems on the market today. Reach your destination safely with the help of Blue Ox.
