limited slip towing
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,773
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From: On the road in Ohio
limited slip towing
i have a LD f250 4x4 with a limited slip rear end. is this safe for towing on snowing roads, i am towing a 18ft cronkite with electric brakes with 5000lbs on it. the other week while towing during a snow storm (only doing 40+-mph) on the highway, i could feel the rear end slip side ways sometimes. is this normal?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
Limited slip rear ends can spin both wheels in slippery conditions and create the side-slip that you noticed. You can help eliminate this by adding more tongue weight to your truck. The additional weight will greatly improve traction.
For driving in slippery conditions, your tongue weight should be 20% of the trailer weight. This works out to about 1000# for your trailer. Your LD F250 should be able to handle this OK.
Lou Braun
For driving in slippery conditions, your tongue weight should be 20% of the trailer weight. This works out to about 1000# for your trailer. Your LD F250 should be able to handle this OK.
Lou Braun
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,773
Likes: 7
From: On the road in Ohio
Thank you for the info, next time i tow i will follow your suggestion. which hopefully won't be anytime soon 
but it look like we will be getting 5-8 inches over the next 24hrs.
but it look like we will be getting 5-8 inches over the next 24hrs.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
I have a 94 250 Supercab longbed 4X4 with limited slip and I tow a 30 foot 8,000# trailer occasionally thru snow.
I have not had much problem towing thru up to 6 inches of snow with some underlayer of ice. I have towed 2WD and 4WD if needed.
I don't have a lot of experience doing this(maybe 5 or 6 times), but as long as you take things easy and have the trailer properly loaded it seems to do OK. I have not towed in conditions severe enoguh to require chains on either the truck and or trailer.
I do not use the anti sway bar on the hitch, per instructions and I might adjust the brake controller depending on how it handles in a few test stops.
I think some or all states require chains on both vehicles if chains are required at all. Otherwise the truck and trailer seem to do fine in snow.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
I have not had much problem towing thru up to 6 inches of snow with some underlayer of ice. I have towed 2WD and 4WD if needed.
I don't have a lot of experience doing this(maybe 5 or 6 times), but as long as you take things easy and have the trailer properly loaded it seems to do OK. I have not towed in conditions severe enoguh to require chains on either the truck and or trailer.
I do not use the anti sway bar on the hitch, per instructions and I might adjust the brake controller depending on how it handles in a few test stops.
I think some or all states require chains on both vehicles if chains are required at all. Otherwise the truck and trailer seem to do fine in snow.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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