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Old 01-20-2018, 05:51 PM   #1
MTK
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Winter towing

We have a 2014 20ft Jayco White Hawk travel trailer and will towing from Wisconsin winter to South Carolina end of Feb. Any towing or preparation tips from experienced folks? Traveling winterized and will de-winterize when we arrive.
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Old 01-20-2018, 07:43 PM   #2
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If you can, just avoid being on the road if there is any ice or snow.

Big item, check that both brakes are working. Accumulated moisture could have frozen them. I like to do a brake check on a nearby gravel road where I can check that both are working by looking at drag marks. I just activate the electric brake lever.
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Old 01-20-2018, 07:57 PM   #3
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Watch for snow and ice buildup on the axle and your tow vehicle axles.
And make sure you clean your headlights
We tow in snow quite a bit
Your stopping distance will increase. Drive and brake like you have eggs under your shoes
We have no choice but to tow in snow in Maine

Constant speed and gentle braking and acceleration
Avoid ice covered grades if possible. Again we live on a lake and whatever direction we go is up 800 feet. Fortunately public works sands well
Stop often to clear rear lights and clean lenses
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Old 01-20-2018, 08:33 PM   #4
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Big item, check that both brakes are working. Accumulated moisture could have frozen them. I like to do a brake check on a nearby gravel road where I can check that both are working by looking at drag marks. I just activate the electric brake lever.
X2 I found this method to be the most reliable for my final check of the brakes. After I service the bearings I adjust my brakes(4) while their up on jacks but you'd be surprised how that changes once you put the load of the trailer on it for left and right side.
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Old 01-20-2018, 09:20 PM   #5
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Not sure if your tow vehicle or WDH setup, but make sure you have adequate weight on your steering axle. Having unweighted front tires on snowy or icy roads is scary as hell. I did it for one very short trip when I bought a new trailer in winter. Not a good scene.
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Old 01-21-2018, 10:33 AM   #6
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Winter towing

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Not sure if your tow vehicle or WDH setup, but make sure you have adequate weight on your steering axle. Having unweighted front tires on snowy or icy roads is scary as hell. I did it for one very short trip when I bought a new trailer in winter. Not a good scene.
We have a F150 with optional 4 wheel drive. It has an integrated trailer braking system. When you say "steering axle" is that front or back on a rear wheel drive truck? We have a Husky Centerline TS weight distribution hitch with the anti sway bar system
Thank you for any advice you can provide
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Old 01-21-2018, 10:35 AM   #7
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Thanks for the tip!
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Old 01-21-2018, 10:35 AM   #8
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Thank you !
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Old 01-21-2018, 10:52 AM   #9
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We have a F150 with optional 4 wheel drive. It has an integrated trailer braking system. When you say "steering axle" is that front or back on a rear wheel drive truck? We have a Husky Centerline TS weight distribution hitch with the anti sway bar system
Thank you for any advice you can provide
That's your front axle. Too light on the front, and steering is diminished severely.
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Old 01-21-2018, 11:01 AM   #10
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We have a F150 with optional 4 wheel drive. It has an integrated trailer braking system. When you say "steering axle" is that front or back on a rear wheel drive truck? We have a Husky Centerline TS weight distribution hitch with the anti sway bar system
Thank you for any advice you can provide
Yes, steering axle is the front wheels of the truck. hopefully that "Husky Centerline TS weight distribution hitch" is adjusted correctly to put weight back onto the front tires. Myself, I'm extremely careful and always visit the CAT scales to figure out my axle weights. Some people use the tape measure method. Doesn't really matter how you do it, but what I'm really getting at is that in slippery conditions, it's MUCH more important to have adequate weight on your front wheels of the truck. 4x4 doesn't help at all with this.

stay safe out there friends.
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Old 01-23-2018, 10:24 AM   #11
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winter towing

Have left WI 2x late Feb to TX.....5th wheel.......both times run into snow and closed roads, ice etc....SLOW, SLOW and careful. Leave plenty of stopping distance, no radical maneuvers if possible, and if you can, wait it out for cleared roads(sand,salt). Good luck, this year waiting till end of March!
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