Winter towing
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: The Big, Oregon
Winter towing
I have to move my gooseneck almost 900 miles on Thanksgiving, including at least two passes and a really winding stretch through the mountains. I need to have chains on board, and while I know how to use them on a truck I haven't used them on a trailer. Should I run chains on just the rear axle? Are cable chains good enough or should I get some heavier ones? The trailer is lightly loaded, only about 5k altogether.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Co
Chains only help on drive axles so unless your in 4 wheel drive only put them on the rear axle of the truck. All you can do for the trailer is take it slow and easy better to get there late then not at all.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
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I read your post twice - are you talking about putting chains on the trailer tires? Don't do it. All you need from those tires are braking and tracking, and tire chains detract from both of those.
Nice and easy, like ck0stp said. Drive like you would if there were a raw egg balanced on a shot glass on your dash, and an open 5 gallon bucket of water in your trailer. Keep 10 car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Nice and easy, like ck0stp said. Drive like you would if there were a raw egg balanced on a shot glass on your dash, and an open 5 gallon bucket of water in your trailer. Keep 10 car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you.
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Central Colorado
I would check with the highway patrol where you are going to be driving. The chain laws vary from state to state. It appears to me that in Washington, for example, that anything 10,000 GVWR requires at least one trailer tire to have a chain.
In Colorado the state specifically states that chains on trailers are optional.
In Colorado the state specifically states that chains on trailers are optional.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: The Big, Oregon
I will be towing in WA, MT, and Idaho. I know Oregon requires chains on board.
I'm in a grey area since it's non-commercial but an 18,000lb gvw trailer, so I'd rather play it safe.
On edit: The laws for WA clearly state chains on rear axle of trailer, so there is the answer. Now to find chains that fit.
I'm in a grey area since it's non-commercial but an 18,000lb gvw trailer, so I'd rather play it safe.
On edit: The laws for WA clearly state chains on rear axle of trailer, so there is the answer. Now to find chains that fit.
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