Winter Towing Advice??

[Fryer5]

Our next trip to the Fort has been postponed from November to February. This wouldn't be a problem but I am worried about towing with ice and snow on the roads. We will be towing our 33 foot TT with a 2 wheel drive suburban, I have towed this combination a lot and never had any problems during dry and raining conditions, it tows really well, I am just concerned with snow and ice. Any advice on pre-trip rituals? What needs to be checked that normally isn't if anything. I have already decided to wait until we are at the fort to de-winterize the camper, and re winterize prior to leaving.
Thanks in advance
The fryers

 

[motherwild]

Where are you traveling from? Last Dec we drove back to NY after that snow storm that shut down 95. We stayed a extra day at the fort. We met a lot of people on the way home that got stuck for 24 hours due to road closings. Check weather reports before you leave pack enough food and warm clothing in case you get stuck.

 

[thegooftroopfla]

my advice watch the weather. if there is snow hold off a day. last year i hauled a lawn trailer with minimal stuff and a two wheel drive expedition. and we got some snow. it was a nightmare. we were going to nc for christmas. and any time you brake the trailer will lock up. also the trailer wheels will find grooves of their own and pull your truck off your path. if you do travel in snow i reccommend very low speeds. that is what i did but i was caught in a bad place. slow speeds decrease the risk of maximum damage. so if there is snow or ice try to wait a couple days and not go

 

[TOGA]

Be flexible in when you leave. Check the weather and either leave a bit early to avoid any bad on-coming weather or wait until the bad weather has passed {I usually opt to leave early and get out of town before it hits}. Understandable if you aren't able to be as flexible with a day here or there, but I usually 'bake' that in to my travel plans.

I always remind myself to drive slow and that it's better to arrive alive/late than to not arrive at all.

Good luck.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Flexibility and supplies are the key. we travel from MI to WDW in the winter on a regular basis. I always watch the weather and adjust according to the radar. We make sure we have full propane and everything is in working order so that if we have to pull over and wait for the roads to be cleared we can stay warm.
Typically the Interstates are cleared first but I have pulled into a rest area for the night and waited it out.

 

[RocklandRVers]

Watch History Channel Ice Road Truckers. If they can do it anyone can! Seriously we have made the trip in December a few times and caught snow along I-95 at different points. We always keep an eye and ear to the weather and like others have stated, made sure we had supplies and were flexible so as not to be in a hurry. We have taken 3 days rather than the usual 2 days to make the trip due to the weather on a couple of occasions.

For us its always the getting back home that we dread after a snowstorm. Our 300 ft driveway can be treacherous with our RV and utility trailer when its covered with a foot of snow! Be a tortise not a hare. Slow and steady will win the race. Enjoy!

 

[photofreak]

Totally watch the weather and have options! We are travelling from Southern Ontario (Can) and last Feb we knew weather was going to hit and hit hard on our way home! Instead of travelling thru the mountains (which we love the views, but in snow could be iffy) we took I75. We did great until we got to Kentucky. We made it to Corbin Kentucky, went to bed with snow and woke up with inches more... We stayed an extra night there and have awesome memories of that extra night.... By the time we left the weather was much better and we made it home no problem.... Be flexible and know when to stop and stay put!!
Have fun!

 

[5stljayhawks]

Tires with studs work well. Just not sure what the FHP would say

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Tires with studs work well. Just not sure what the FHP would say

I know what the MSP would say !

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Just make sure you pack the wheel bearings first. And make sure your tires are inflated properly and that they have the tread required.

Otherwise the hints others have given are great.

 

[Fryer5]

Thanks for the replies. We are driving from the Chicago area. I have thought about tire chains, but didn't know if that was way over kill. I know they are required in the mountains out west, but didn't know if I would need them as we pass through in the southeast. I guess we will try to plan a couple of extra days to use on either end of the trip. Thanks.
The Fryer's

 

[Bearikens]

I've towed my trailer in the snow several times without a problem...where I have had problems is ICE. Ice can be a problem on bridges in the south and when you combine ice and strong wind...well, I've found myself facing west in the eastbound ditch (and I don't recommend the experience ). Check the weather before departing home and the Fort. Take your time when driving and most importantly...increase your following distances even more than you normally would. Another good tip already mentioned is to plan on extra time while driving as you might have to hole up somewhere for a day or two.

 

[Disney Bunny]

I've towed my trailer in the snow several times without a problem...where I have had problems is ICE. Ice can be a problem on bridges in the south and when you combine ice and strong wind...well, I've found myself facing west in the eastbound ditch (and I don't recommend the experience ). Check the weather before departing home and the Fort. Take your time when driving and most importantly...increase your following distances even more than you normally would. Another good tip already mentioned is to plan on extra time while driving as you might have to hole up somewhere for a day or two.

Bearikens, I know what you mean about facing west in the eastbound ditch. For us it was upside down facing south in the northbound ditch.....and I didn't even have weather to blame it on. As much as I would like to take the 5th wheel to Disney and spend some winter days, I am just too much of a chicken to do so even though we generally do not get all that much severe weather between the Tidewater Virginia area and Orlando to worry about it. It would be just our luck to run into that rare ice and snow along the I95 corridor.

 

[retired and happy]

Such southern ice usually doesn't last long and great efforts are made to keep interstates open and safe. Maybe a minor delay, but not a show stopper. Come on down.