Having a fifth wheel or bumper pull trailer can be a lot of fun. You can leave, drive away to the middle of nowhere and have a lot of fun for the weekend. If you are leaving and there is a chance of snow, you need to know how to drive in the snow with a trailer. Highway 30 Garage wants to give you just a few tips to help remember when it comes to towing your trailer in the snow.

Is 2WD or 4WD Better for Towing?

Four-wheel-drive pickups typically have slightly lower towing capacities than their 2-wheel-drive counterparts due to the extra weight of the 4-wheel-drive components. They’re also typically less fuel efficient than 2-wheel-drive trucks, but having a 4×4 can be very handy, especially for pulling a trailer.

Obey Trailer Towing Speed Limits

Just like you should do if you are driving without a trailer, you should slow down when it is snowing. When you are pulling a trailer, you obviously are trying to get somewhere and you probably want to be there on time. Pulling a trailer can be hard enough in good road conditions but when the roads are slippery it makes pulling a trailer even harder. Make sure you watch your speed so you do not have an accident while pulling your trailer.

Practice Driving with a Trailer

Practice makes perfect, right? Just like that saying, you should practice driving your vehicle whether it is a fifth wheel attached to your truck or a motorhome. You need to make sure you are practicing driving in good road conditions. You do not want the first time you drive a motorhome or a fifth wheel when it is snowing and the roads are slippery and wet. Drive them often so it does not affect you as much when the road conditions are poor.

How Hard is it to Pull an Empty or Full 5th Wheel Camper?

When you are pulling the fifth wheel you need to be aware of what is inside of the fifth wheel. It can pull differently when it is empty versus carrying a heavy load. The fifth wheel will not move as well as a smaller car in the snow so you need to be aware of what you are carrying inside the trailer.

Emergency Travel Kit

The best thing you can do is always prepare ahead of time. If you start your trip or your travels without snow that does not mean that you will not hit snow on the road later on. Make sure that you have emergency kits with flares, snow tires, extra food and water, and charged batteries. These will help you if you get into a situation where you may need extra help and cannot leave.

Watch Out for Other Drivers

You may be very well prepared with your fifth wheel when you’re traveling. But you cannot predict what the other people around you will do. When you are driving your fifth-wheeler or trailer make sure that you are aware of your surroundings and the people around you.

Driving Lessons

Now we know driving lessons aren’t super fun. But if you are new to driving a fifth wheel or a trailer maybe take some lessons to help you know how to drive it better. Fifth wheels and trailers can be a big investment, you want to make sure you get your money’s worth and keep it safe. Taking some time and doing some additional driving lessons can be a very smart way to help protect your investment.

Towing, Roadside Assistance & More in Cassia, Gooding, Jerome & Twin Falls Counties in Magic Valley, Idaho & Jackpot, Northern Nevada

Fifth-wheel trailers can be a lot of fun but if you ever run into problems and you need help then give Highway 30 Garage a call.