Safely Hauling Your Trailer Through Snow

With winter fast approaching, it won't be long before the ground is covered in snow. Odds are, you’ll still have hauling tasks that need to be done and you won't want to let some snow get in the way. With a little proactivity, you can prepare your trailer for efficient and safe hauling through the snow. Below, we cover some strategies for getting your trailer ready for snow hauling. If you want more advice or want to explore custom trailer options, head over to Victory Custom Trailers. Our dealership is located in Metamora, Michigan. We also proudly serve those in Detroit and Flint, Michigan.

Use the Right Tires

Your first step is equipping your trailer with the right tires. The snow makes the road slippery, so you will want specialized snow tires to handle the slick conditions. You’ll also want to make sure your tow vehicle has sturdy snow tires as well. The heavy load of your trailer can affect your tow vehicle’s ability to turn and stop smoothly, so you will want quality snow tires to help out. If, for whatever reason, snow tires aren’t an option, you will want to at least put chains on your tow vehicle and trailer.

Install Trailer Brakes

Not all trailers come with brakes. If your model didn’t, you will want to get them installed before you venture into the snow. Adding brakes makes it easier and safer to bring your trailer to a stop. Otherwise, you risk your trailer colliding into your tow vehicle when you come to a stop, which increases your risk of losing traction on the road.

Once you get trailer brakes installed, make sure you familiarize yourself with the brake controller’s manual override. Often, this is a squeeze bar, button, or slide. The override comes in handy if you need to switch to the trailer’s brakes in order to navigate a fishtailing situation.

Inspect Before You Drive

Before you hit the road, make sure you are set up for a safe transportation experience. First, make sure you load your trailer correctly. Check that the cargo weight is evenly distributed and stable. Never exceed your tow vehicle’s weight restrictions - it’s illegal and highly unsafe to do. Second, check that all the tires are inflated to the right air pressure and have enough tread. Use the measurements in the manufacturer’s recommendations as a guideline. Third, make sure your tow vehicle is running well. It should be able to accelerate, slow down, and turn without issue. All the lightbulbs should be in good working order. If your tow vehicle isn’t in top condition, it won’t be able to deliver a stellar towing experience.

Pack an Emergency Kit

Hopefully, you will never need your emergency kit. But if you do, you will be grateful you packed one! The emergency kit covers the basics so that you can stay safe in an emergency situation. It should include flares, extra water, and first aid supplies. It’s smart to keep this kit in your vehicle all year round, but pack it now if you don’t already have it. You’ll want to add extra warm clothes, tire traction mats, and ice scrapers in the winter time.

We hope you find these tips helpful. If you’re in Detroit or Flint, MI, and are still looking for a cargo trailer, visit Victory Custom Trailers. We offer custom trailers that are optimized to suit your needs and lifestyle. Our friendly staff is always happy to answer your questions or get you started on crafting your own model, so stop by and visit today!