Towing with 2wd?

[mannix]

Hey all - random curiosity; does anyone tow their sleds with 2wd trucks/vans?

I have a 1 ton Ford E350 that I use for tow (racecar) duties, as well as skiing - it works well in snow, and if push comes to shove, I have chains for it, too. It is virtually unstoppable with the chains on; two winters ago around Christmas, we (Denver) got several large storms, back to back - on the morning of the biggest storm, I went skiing. Driving around the ramp from C470 to 70 in Golden, I had to stop - there was a huge plow truck and a big front end loader. The plow truck was stuck. The van did not get stuck. The van is a great snow vehicle, despite being 2wd (no comparison to a 2wd pickup - the fullsize vans are surprisingly good in snow, the 2wd pickups are surprisingly BAD, imho).

Anyway; I've never gotten it stuck in unplowed ski area lots. I normally use a studded snow tire, but I've never really towed the trailer in the snow, either.

On that note - my trailer is really a car trailer, not a sled trailer - the trailer wheels are outside the deck. Should not be a problem for 1-2 sleds (if I do two, they'll likely be pointed in opposite directions). I've noticed that sled trailers have the wheels UNDER the deck - is that for snow stability (putting the tires in the tracks/ruts of the tow vehicle), or just so you can mount two side by side?

Something of a moot point; I'm not buying a 4wd before the snow flies. I figure I might have to park farther "out" than someone with 4wd, but that's not a problem.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!


Iain

 

[Alberta Boy]

I have towed 2 sleds on a 2 place tilt trailer many times... company vehicle and free gas... it was a no brainer as far as I was concerned! I would drop it into 4th gear and hit cruise control at about 70 mph! The engine screamed on a few of the hills but whatever... not my van!

Hit FRIGGIN DEEP SNOW last spring heading to McBride and almost didn't make it! 12" of snow on the highway with no tracks and I just took off my winter tires... ask MARCUSO how much fun that was! lol... finger prints are still in the head rest! lol

 

[mannix]

OK, cool. The only unknown I wonder about, in thinking about it, is the general condition of trailheads. I've seen/parked in the Rabbit Ears sled-lots in the past (one night at 2am, starry, COLD, had to pull off to look around), and those lots are plowed just fine.

I figure I'll just have to be careful & might wind up parking at "lower" lots than totally desirable on big-snow days, but whatever, I'll live. I'm not worried about the paved roads, they get plowed OK, and studded snows = fine.

Thanks for the input. If I had my druthers, I'd have a 4wd diesel van, but they were WAY out of my price range when I bought this one.



Iain

 

[SnoKing]

Vans

Back in the 70's and 80's all we had to tow our 4 and 6 place snomo trailers with were 2 wheel drive vans. We went to Yellowstone and Grand Lake Co on several occassions with out a problem. Over Berthod pass when it was still a narrow 2 lane.

I have a friend in Ontario that gives guided tours and he uses a 2 wheel Dodge pick up to pull his 5th wheel enclosed snomo trailer support vehicle (in the snow) all over Ontario for those tours.

 

[rjm350]

I have a 4x4 F350 with some nice Toyo tires on it to pulling my enclosed trailer with 5 sleds in it (trailer tires don't follow truck tracks with my Mirage trailer). I have had numerous times when I have had to chain up (I chain up just the back because it is easier), to get in and out of spots.
Sure 4x4 is nice, but lets face it if you only have 2wd you may have to chain up in a few more times and just be a bit more careful. I bet your rig would go just as many places as mine would. When the trailer axles are wider then the truck axles it pulls hard in even 2 or 3 inches of snow. Just my experiences and opinion, best of luck.
-Rj

 

[mannix]

Great! That's good news. I really appreciate the insight - this snowmobiling thing is 100% new to me, although I'm a longtime skier; I've dealt with plenty of SNOW in the past, just not with the trailer.

Thanks again!


Iain

 

[Twostroke]

I have the same van that I use for moto, it does do well in the snow until you come to a stop. I had eight fifty pound sand bags in the back, studded Toyo's (peices of crap IMO) and I still have a hell of a time. I got stuck countless times and i'm no newbie to driving in the snow, I've skied 100 plus days every year since 02 so I have plenty of experience I had a 2wd Ranger with studs and four sand bags and it was a unreal in the snow, and more fun to drive then my subaru's.

With the van and two place trailer + two sleds I got to the point to where I had to stragtically park so i could get rolling with the sleds so i wouldn't get stuck, if i had to go uphill from a stop forget it, your not going anywhere but backwards. Keep in mind here where i'm parking is plowed, but it's chewed up and rutted in spots. We get alot of snow(400" annualy, 500"+ last year) so maybe it won't be as much as an issue for you but if I keep my sled I will ethier add a hitch to my subaru and just pull one sled or be toting shovels and cinders for when i get stuck. I've never used chains before and don't want to start.

 

[R J]

I guess I don't tow with a 2wd vehicle but I basically tow in 2wd. Matter of fact I have only used 4x4 on a few occasions when in parking lots, up mountain passes that have ice/snow on them etc. I'm glad I have 4x4 but going from point a to point b I think it could be done with only a 2wd. Just be a good idea to have chains stashed somewhere for when you do get stuck or need them to make it up the grades.

 

[rotax]

I've seen the MC lot NOT plowed a few times last year. And I've gotten there with multiple rigs stuck in the lot and the road up.

I generally drive 2wd even on snow pack until I start to feel the tires break loose..then run 4 wheel drive till it dries out.
But I'm driving a 1/2 ton truck and no studs/chains.

You'll be limited at some times, or some lots I think.. 4wd just makes me feel a lot more confident when running over Eisenhower or Berthoud when its storming.

 

[BackCountryBob]

Been driving in Colorado since 1973 when Vail Pass was a 2 lane monster and no Eisenhower Tunnel.

2wd pickup with 300# sand bags on the tailgate with studded snow will do OK with no trailer on county roads. Not so good in parking lots that get rutted up or accumulate snow during the day and you get parked in requiring lots of maneuvering.

Add a 1,000# trailer and you are toast. Most times a fellow snowmobiler will help tow you out unless you have an Obama or Sierra Club sticker on your truck---see you next Spring.

Putting chains on your truck in the middle of a parking lot will not work either as everyone is in a hurry to beat the skier traffic.

Probably a good idea to have good snows on the front as well since breaking on ice is very common--once the tailer breaks loose, see ya.

Its the traffic in front of you that will determine if you make the next hill--or not. Snowmobiling can be a very expensive sport

BCB

 

[bushy]

You might think about getting a lightweight alum two place that tracks and save yourself a big potential headache. Vans are pretty good, but a heavy trailer not tracking is going to be a problem in any amount of snow. I'd throw some BFG AT's on it and a half ton or more of weight on the rear axle for starters. I drive an old 2WD pickup and have 31-10.5 BFG AT's on it and an 11.5 foot slide in camper. Just a little single place trailer (1000 lbs all loaded up). With all that weight on good tires it digs like a D8. I always park at the top of MC lot and it gets ugly in there with 500" a year. Last year with all the big snows, they did a poor job of plowing it and it was common for 3 to 4 foot snowfalls to get packed down before they'd bother coming in a week later.

 

[Ex-Member]

If you've got 4x4, use it. If you don't use it and end up skidding into another car, you'll be kicking yourself for not having it engaged.

Doesn't mean laws of physics don't apply to you anymore, though; just means that all four wheels spin.

 

[polarisfornow]

If you've got 4x4, use it. If you don't use it and end up skidding into another car, you'll be kicking yourself for not having it engaged.

Doesn't mean laws of physics don't apply to you anymore, though; just means that all four wheels spin.

how is having a four wheel drive going to make you stop better? I towed with a 2wd dually last year a couple times and it was just fine. i just always put a sled in the bed to add a little weight over the rear. i just found myself thinking about how and where i parked a little more. my theory was if i do get stuck there will be a billion friendly people where we are parked that will be more than happy to help out and get a little chuckle out of my misfortune.

 

[JHG]

how is having a four wheel drive going to make you stop better? I towed with a 2wd dually last year a couple times and it was just fine. i just always put a sled in the bed to add a little weight over the rear. i just found myself thinking about how and where i parked a little more. my theory was if i do get stuck there will be a billion friendly people where we are parked that will be more than happy to help out and get a little chuckle out of my misfortune.

It won't help you stop but it will keep the back from passing the front when driving. I don't understand why most people with 4 wheel drive refuse to use it until they are stuck. I guy came around our street corner last year in a suburban w/ 4 wheel drive(not engaged) and when he got back on the gas the truck spun around and totaled my neighbor honda that was parked on the street. Thousands of dollars in damage that could have been prevented had he not been to big of a man to use 4 wheel drive.

 

[Ex-Member]

how is having a four wheel drive going to make you stop better? I towed with a 2wd dually last year a couple times and it was just fine. i just always put a sled in the bed to add a little weight over the rear. i just found myself thinking about how and where i parked a little more. my theory was if i do get stuck there will be a billion friendly people where we are parked that will be more than happy to help out and get a little chuckle out of my misfortune.

Won't help you stop better, still fight the force of kinetic friction between your tires and the road (or ice on the road, etc). However, gearing down and using the engine torque to slow down the rotation of all four wheels vs. just two will help in vehicle handling. Also easier to regain control of a vehicle when all four wheels are attached to the drivetrain.

 

[Lake Cle Elum]

Back in my younger, poorer days, I towed from Seattle to Yellowstone 4 times with a 2WD Mazada P/U.....Had chains, but never had to use them.....

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

well guys..if you can run studs..2wheel drive or 4 by..and you want traction...I custom stud my own truck tires(trailer as well)..an average truck tire comes with 75 to 125 studs in it..on my tires I run 750 studs in each...even on the slickest days it is like driving on wet pavement....have done this for a bunch of my customers over the years including several 2 by van owners..never had a customer go back to stock studs after driving with custom studs.. ask around local tire shops.or a good stud gun will set you back about 300.00 as well as a hi speed drill to make stud holes with.(my last one cost 80.00) and a box of studs (15's) runs about 45.00 here...= total vehicle control......

 

[RMK Junky]

I have the option for 2-4wheel. But sometimes it pays to pack a tow rope...then you get a free dinner