Posted 2006-02-20 7:50 PM (#37573) Subject: Help - I can't get my trailer out!
Member
Posts: 16
Location: UT
I was under the (apparenly mistaken) understanding that my rear wheel drive F-250 would pull my trailer on snow packed roads (theory was that the extra weight of the trailer would compensate). Anyway, can't get the 2H BP trailer out of it's winter parking space. First, it seemed that the trailer wheels were stuck in ice. Took care of that and still can't get it out - truck on packed snow/ice when hooked up. I just got new tires on the truck so that's not the issue.
If I get a friend with a 4X4 pull it out, am I going to be able to pull it on the snow packed roads around here (Park City, UT) or am I wasting my time to even try?
Posted 2006-02-20 8:11 PM (#37579 - in reply to #37573) Subject: RE: Help - I can't get my trailer out!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1011 Location: Oregon
I personally would not haul my trailer out on snow packed roads. And if I really had to, I would make sure my truck and trailer were both chained up, 4x4 or not.
Posted 2006-02-20 9:01 PM (#37586 - in reply to #37573) Subject: RE: Help - I can't get my trailer out!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 644 Location: Odenville, Alabama
I jack knifed a BP trailer on a freakish ice covered hill with my 2wd truck. Both truck and trailer going where I didn't want them to go . Scared the hell out of me. Bought a 4wd the next week, and I'll never pull with anything but.
Posted 2006-02-20 11:00 PM (#37593 - in reply to #37573) Subject: RE: Help - I can't get my trailer out!
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by mkenngen on 2006-02-20 8:50 PM
I was under the (apparenly mistaken) understanding that my rear wheel drive F-250 would pull my trailer on snow packed roads (theory was that the extra weight of the trailer would compensate). Anyway, can't get the 2H BP trailer out of it's winter parking space. First, it seemed that the trailer wheels were stuck in ice. Took care of that and still can't get it out - truck on packed snow/ice when hooked up. I just got new tires on the truck so that's not the issue.
If I get a friend with a 4X4 pull it out, am I going to be able to pull it on the snow packed roads around here (Park City, UT) or am I wasting my time to even try?
Thanks for any suggestions.
A limited slip rear axle might do the trick - do you have one ?
Next up the list is 4WD, WITH a lim slip axle.
Then chains, preferrably on 4x4 with lim slip.
Once it is out, CAREFUL smooooothe driving should get you most places with 2wd, most flat'ish places anyway. Snow pack isn't the problem, polished packed snow or ice ARE !
Sorry, you're too far away for me to come out and help.
Posted 2006-02-21 6:05 AM (#37599 - in reply to #37573) Subject: RE: Help - I can't get my trailer out!
Expert
Posts: 1283 Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
Back to the original post, I feel like there may be a higher power looking out for "mkenngen". Let's see here, Snow and Ice, Two wheel drive, Utah, if they are real lucky the friends four wheel drive won't get it to move either.
Posted 2006-02-21 7:45 AM (#37602 - in reply to #37599) Subject: RE: Help - I can't get my trailer out!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Columbia, TN
Another thing you have to watch is the trailer pushing the truck. I was coming though Ala. in snow and ice and was going down a hill on I-65 and the gooseneck started pushing the rear of the truck to the side this was no fun. Got off at the next exit and spent the night and waited for the weather to get better. Kind of funny spending the night at the omlet shoppe with two horses hy-lined between the back of the trailer and a telephone pole in 5 degree weather thank God for the geneator. We went to South Texas to ride took 20 hours to get there and 7 days to get home.
Posted 2006-02-21 7:58 AM (#37603 - in reply to #37573) Subject: RE: Help - I can't get my trailer out!
Veteran
Posts: 225 Location: Kansas City
Four wheel drive can be a false security blanket. Note it is "drive" in that you benefit from 4 wheels pulling. I have yet to see a 4x4 that operates any differently from 4x2 when the brakes are applied. You will jack-knife just a easily with both. A 4x4 may help you up the hill but does little on the way down when the trailer is pushing.
In living in a part of the country where we get more ice than snow it is easy to find people who speed down the road with their 4x4 SUV suddenly off in the ditch when they can't stop.
Posted 2006-02-21 8:11 AM (#37604 - in reply to #37603) Subject: RE: Help - I can't get my trailer out!
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
Barry, I'm with you and I only buy 4x4 trucks! 4x4 gets you going but it will not stop you on an icy road. Put a trailer behind you and you have double troubles. Too many folks think that having 4x4 means you can do anything. Not so! You have to be just as careful as if you don't have 4x4. I always have it because I live in snow country with lots of hills. It has helped me many times by pulling my big trailer up onto our parking field when the grass is wet. I don't like hauling in snow conditions but would feel far safer with my 4x4 if I had too. I DO respect a 4x4s capabilities though!!
Posted 2006-02-21 8:15 AM (#37606 - in reply to #37603) Subject: RE: Help - I can't get my trailer out!
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by barry on 2006-02-21 8:58 AM
Four wheel drive can be a false security blanket. Note it is "drive" in that you benefit from 4 wheels pulling. I have yet to see a 4x4 that operates any differently from 4x2 when the brakes are applied. You will jack-knife just a easily with both. A 4x4 may help you up the hill but does little on the way down when the trailer is pushing.
In living in a part of the country where we get more ice than snow it is easy to find people who speed down the road with their 4x4 SUV suddenly off in the ditch when they can't stop.
Well, kinda sorta...
Having got on black ice with a front drive car at ~60, let off the gas and seen the speedo drop to about 15 with no slowing down sensation, I thought I'd better try that again and match the wheel speed to the road speed before getting to the next dry spot. GRADUAL is GOOD !
At least in 4WD when I back off the loud pedal I have engine braking to more wheels.
To the original post;
If he just needs to get it OUT from a snow/ice bank or parking area and THEN can drive it away on a plowed/salted town road or highway - - then we've suggested his options. I'll just add a farm tractor to the list.
Posted 2006-02-21 8:39 AM (#37609 - in reply to #37573) Subject: RE: Help - I can't get my trailer out!
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Kaysville, Utah
As I have grown up in the Salt Lake Area, I have watched the Great Salt Lake rise and fall due to snow totals in the WasatchMountains. And one who lives in ParkCity which is famous for having two 1st class ski resorts you should quickly purchase a new 4 x 4.
Help - I can't get my trailer out!
