If you hit ice push in the clutch!!!
If the trailer starts to pass you, manually use the trailer brakes do not use the truck brakes. I pull in the mountains all the time don't race and use your drag chains if needed. You will be alright.

 

I frequently pull in snow and ice. If you see you are coming to 'bad' road, put it in 4WD before getting where it is slick.

I always carry a bag of cheap Kitty Litter and a gallon jug of bleach (Clorox/Purex), both will help you get un-stuck. Kitty Litter works better than sand. Bleach will give you good traction on ice. I do carry a tow *chain* and have never had to use it. I've never put tire chains on-don't own any.

HTH
Stan

 

[quote author=KATOOM link=board=11;threadid=23615;start=0#msg222457 date=1071204007]4x4 doesn't mean unstopable.[/quote]

Actually, that can be exactly what it means. 4x4s can Go Go Go, they just can't stop.

But here is one thing to consider. Don't set the trailer brakes too high. If the trailer loses traction and starts sliding while the truck tires are still gripping, you could jacknife.

Haulin in Dixie explained it very well, and I can't explain it nearly as well, but the trailer brakes should be a little lighter than the truck. Other wise, when you brake, the trailer could lock up and start pushing you downhill. Sliding wheels move faster than wheels that aren't sliding.

And if you have a prodigy, turn the surge function off completely. There should be a setting for no brake surge at all. Then keep the brake voltage setting a little lighter than normal. You can always reach down and manually increase trailer braking pressure, but if the pressure is too high, you may not be able to dial it down fast enough.

And trailer chains are a great idea. They can make a world of difference.

 

I second Scooters advise pulling on the ice safley is much about using the trailer brake correctly stay off the truck brakes especially if the trailer starts to come around on you. listen to the advise of these guys that pull the Mtns. and have the experience. espessialy those that make their living doing it.

 

I have gone to the NASCAR race in Vegas every year since it started and we have run into all kinds of weather. We have towed a Jeep on a Car hauler, towing with a Motorhome and last year we had our Dodge and a fifth wheel trailer. what I am going to say is going to get some people upset but don't knock it till you try it. I had a switch on my right rear brake wire so that I could switch it out of the system, (if one wheel is turning the trailer will tend to stay behind you. A lot of the class 8 trucks (tandem tandems and tridems and B trains back off a right hand side roto chamber on their air brakes to accomplish the same thing) rarely will you see a truck on the Alaska hiway in the winter with out some of the RH brakes backed off,this is where I learned it. Last year I ran into snow in the Minida Pass in Montana and I cut the wire to the RR brake on the Fiver and adjusted the brake controller down and I found it much safer. Like Sierra Phil said it is better to avoid towing in these conditions but some time you have to. Also if you do use your exhaust brake make sure you are in 4 wheel drive (thats when you learn to love the electric shift) and be ready to release it.
Jim O
PS I repaired the wire for the summer.

 

Interesting approach.

 

We just returned from a quickie trip SEA-ATL in 4-days. Snoqualmie Pass is a short 2000-ft pass, but was downright nasty on Sunday morning. At 0830 we started the climbout, halfway up it was icy and light snow. Within another mile, we chained up the truck and the boat trailer. By the time we reached the summit, it was full blown storm. There was 8-10" on the pavement and not a single plow in sight. Travel was restricted to chained vehicles and 4wd only. It was the 4wd's in the ditch that rattled us.

Down in Oregon, Blue Mtn Pass is twice as high, but with ORDOT plows out in force, the Pass was a breeze. We still needed to chain up.

My advice? Avoid ice and snow. But if you must travel in such conditions, get chains. Forget the cables.

 

A big THANKS to everyone for the advise and words of wisdom. The trip is over and everything went well. ;D After all the preparations, the sky's were blue and not a hint of ice. Even though I didnt have bad conditions this time I'm sure I will eventualy, and I will remember all the info. You guys are the best when it comes to helping others and thats what I love about this site. Thanks again!!!

 

Speaking from experience (we drove the Al-Can, Idaho to Alaska, in March 03, snow pack, ice, -40°F) towing a 23ft TT. Slow down, and dont be afraid to grab 4H at the slightest hint of rear end wiggle. I had chains for the truck, drag chains for the trailer, winch, tow rope and chains. Never needed any of it, but it was assuring to know we had it all. My tried and true remedy for a jack-knife, skid, loss of directional turning ability... give it some throttle, straighten everything out, and slow down some more. No sudden movements on slick surfaces. Gradual turns, acceleration and braking. Some days we were lucky to get 300 miles under our belt, others days we managed 500+. The key is slow down.

 

drag chain?????

 

Chains on the trailers brake axle's

 

This is just my opinion, but after driving tractor-trailers for a lot of years, I have to somewhat disagree with this statement.

1) "watch your RPM" - Yes, very good indicator of your tires breaking loose

2) "lug your engine" - No, definietly no, lugging your engine puts max torque to the ground. This is no good if it's icy. (Ever notice how truck drivers run the hills - this is so momentum and the least amount of torque will carry them up the hill instead of powering their way up.)

3) "tow in 4x4" - I say not on the highway / secondary or bush roads only. If you need 4x4 on the highway, you shouldn't be driving on said highway. The reason is that 4wd gives you a false sense of security. If tires in 2wd break loose, you have enough of a warning to ease off the accelerator and stay in a straight line, thus giving a better sense for the feel of the road. Driving in 4wd on ice doesn't allow for early feel of the road warnings and when your tires break loose, it's usually too late. (Notice what you see in the ditches first when weather gets bad - the first vehicles are usually SUV's with full time AWD such as Ford Explorers, Jeep Grande Cherokees, and the other yuppie type SUV's.)

This is JMHO as per extensive previous experrience towing personal RV's and professional driving in Northern Canada.

Kerry

 

lots of good advice he but ont thing to try is to drive like you have a very very hot cup of open coffee sitting loose on the dash

Woody