5Ver in the snow
 

We have a upcoming trip from Minnesota to North Carolina. I drove a million miles in snow, and pulling trailers, but nothing as big as a 5ver. I'm wondering how 2500 lbs of pin weight effect traction on my 2018 F250SD 4x4 with 6.2, AT tires.

In my experience, a trailer will give you more traction due to the increased weight on the rear axle.

I recently had to pull my trailer off the mountain down Forest Service roads after it snowed 10". I didn't trust the trailer tires to have good traction when braking so I put cable chains on both trailer axles. Both truck axles also had chains.

I have no interest in pulling my trailer (bumper pull) in snowy conditions. I'll do it if I have to but it's not something I look forward to.

Darn good question. I wonder if there would be more potential for the front end to "push" wide on a corner if it is slippery. Certainly the weight bias will go more toward the rear axle; so less balanced overall.

Based on some of the weigh scale results I've seen, I don't think the front end changes much. That's with a 5th wheel. On a bumper pull, if a WDH isn't used then all bets are off and I think the front end is going to be all over the place depending on how much tongue weight is involved.

use of the manual slider is an option if the trailer wants to lead.

I have pulled mine several times in snow up to about 6 inches. Slow down and you will be fine.

I've considered reducing the brake controller setting so that the trailer tires don't lock up so easily. The downside is that the truck will have to be doing more of the braking.

Scott's right, slowing down is the best option.

Yes to slowing down, and back your trailer brake control off some. You'll have more issues with trailer brakes locking up if you don't. Just take it easy and try to keep the truck in front of the trailer.

Agreed. My front axle weighs the same with or without the 5er.

When slippery, that 5er has to be a big sail and a crosswind would have to be scary. I sure wouldn't dare pull if slippery.

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As you can see I have done it the only problem I have had is the trailer sliding around not the truck. I have chains for both the truck and the trailer and as mentioned above the trailer chains are much more useful then the truck chains most of the time. The real worst part about towing in the snow is how dirty everything gets lol....Just slow down as mentioned and use the engine brake carefully if you have one.

I had to drive a short distance once with a bumper pull and no WDH after I purchased a trailer in the winter. It was spooky as hell how little steering I had with the unweighted front axle. I hope to never do that again. Haven't done a 5th wheel, but I think the other guys had some good perspective.

Wolf Creek Pass
 

This was Wolf Creek Pass with a 13K 5W behind my F350 CC SRW 4x4 earlier this year. The issue I had was traction on the up grades, 4x4 locked & traction control on the truck would break loose. Slow way down, ease the break control, and easy braking, you do not want the trailer pushing the truck. Get's too slippery find a wide spot and nap til roads get better. 750K in 11 western states in a class 8 zero accidents. The advice I got from an old timer when I started: " Drive slow enough that if you crash you can walk away from it." Think about it, lot of wisdom there.

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It gives me the "willies" to think about a trailer/5er deciding to wag and pull the dog off the road.

Snow (and cold weather) gives me the willies, that's why I moved very south.

Fire Ants and 100% humidity gives me the willies. That's why I moved north. LOL!

Absolutely! Same here.