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Towing in the snow/ice

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Any of you guys or gals in the Rocky Mountain areas have an opinion on me taking a 2wd F250 vs. the Gladiator? Know of any major road closures or pending storms? Looks like snow showers on our way back in Utah on Saturday.
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ShadowsPapa

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I'm not aware of all of the laws in the area you will travel, but if anything happens - and you don't have brakes operational on the trailer, it could be a problem for you. I agree on the SIMPLE, minutes to set up, Curt system. You can always resell it later if you go some other controller later.
Last thing you need is a trailer pushing you on a slick road.
 

Oil_Burner

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Colorado is good without brakes on a 2,999 GVW trailer, I don't know what your trailer is rated for. Utah requires you to stop in 40 feet when going 20 MPH.

It looks like California and Nevada requires brakes on trailers over 1,499 GVW rating trailer. The list can be found at:
https://www.rvia.org/system/files/media/file/Trailer Brake Requirements.pdf

I know what you are towing isn't nearly as big as what is shown in the video, but here is what happens when you go too fast on snow covered roads when towing and the trailer pushes you.


Follow up from the driver is here:
 
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Colorado is good without brakes on a 2,999 GVW trailer, I don't know what your trailer is rated for. Utah requires you to stop in 40 feet when going 20 MPH.

It looks like California and Nevada requires brakes on trailers over 1,499 GVW rating trailer. The list can be found at:
https://www.rvia.org/system/files/media/file/Trailer Brake Requirements.pdf

I know what you are towing isn't nearly as big as what is shown in the video, but here is what happens when you go too fast on snow covered roads when towing and the trailer pushes you.


Follow up from the driver is here:
Yikes!
Did some research on the superduty forums and have decided to go with the Ford. If we encounter dangerous conditions, we will slow or stop and wait. i can get to know my wife a little betteršŸ˜‚. The brake controller, good tires and some extra wight in the bed is the ticket. i will bring chains for extra insurance.

I guess a brake controller for the JT is on the list.

This trailer is going to pull double duty. Work trailer / light overland basecamp rig. Canā€™t wait.

Wish us luck!
 

ShadowsPapa

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Colorado is good without brakes on a 2,999 GVW trailer, I don't know what your trailer is rated for. Utah requires you to stop in 40 feet when going 20 MPH.

It looks like California and Nevada requires brakes on trailers over 1,499 GVW rating trailer. The list can be found at:
https://www.rvia.org/system/files/media/file/Trailer Brake Requirements.pdf

I know what you are towing isn't nearly as big as what is shown in the video, but here is what happens when you go too fast on snow covered roads when towing and the trailer pushes you.


Follow up from the driver is here:
IF I read it right, his trailer empty is 2,000 pounds - that means that CA and NV would require working brakes on the trailer....
>> Trailer is a (empty) 6x12 off road box trailer at 2000lbs<<
If it's 2,000 empty, the GVW would have to be over that amount by quite a bit. Even if it was 2,000 loaded, maxed out, that's over the 1499 GVW requirement for brakes, is that right?
 

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IF I read it right, his trailer empty is 2,000 pounds - that means that CA and NV would require working brakes on the trailer....
>> Trailer is a (empty) 6x12 off road box trailer at 2000lbs<<
If it's 2,000 empty, the GVW would have to be over that amount by quite a bit. Even if it was 2,000 loaded, maxed out, that's over the 1499 GVW requirement for brakes, is that right?
Yes. My read is that he requires brakes traveling through Nevada and California, his home state since the GVW has to be more than the empty weight of 2,000 pounds.

I would think that if it's 2,000 pounds empty, the GVW would be at least 3,000 pounds, likely higher and would also require brakes in Colorado. The only state without a weight/brake requirement that he goes through would be Utah, and he would have to demonstrate that he can stop in 40 feet going 20 mph.
 

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Yes. My read is that he requires brakes traveling through Nevada and California, his home state since the GVW has to be more than the empty weight of 2,000 pounds.

I would think that if it's 2,000 pounds empty, the GVW would be at least 3,000 pounds, likely higher and would also require brakes in Colorado. The only state without a weight/brake requirement that he goes through would be Utah, and he would have to demonstrate that he can stoop in 40 feet going 20 mph.
Stopping is one thing, stopping straight and on the road, another thing LOL
 
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I think in either vehicle Iā€™m within laws of all states.

The trailer has electric brakes. I just donā€™t have a brake controller on the Gladiator. The F250 does. Am I correct with this statement? Or are electric brakes on the trailer rendered inoperable because the gladiator doesnā€™t have a brake controller?
 

Oil_Burner

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I think in either vehicle Iā€™m within laws of all states.

The trailer has electric brakes. I just donā€™t have a brake controller on the Gladiator. The F250 does. Am I correct with this statement? Or are electric brakes on the trailer rendered inoperable because the gladiator doesnā€™t have a brake controller?
If you use the F250 to tow the trailer to bring it home, you should be good.

If you tow with the Gladiator, without adding the brake controller, basically the trailer doesn't have FUNCTIONAL brakes (inoperable). Even though they are physically present on the trailer, you should not be towing it with the Gladiator, per what I read, until you install the brake controller,.
 

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Even 2wd I'd rather have the f250 towing that distance. I tow the same size trailer with my Gladiator and it's not great. A whole lot of surface area on the front to drag through the air. Not to mention being blown around by the wind.
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I think in either vehicle Iā€™m within laws of all states.

The trailer has electric brakes. I just donā€™t have a brake controller on the Gladiator. The F250 does. Am I correct with this statement? Or are electric brakes on the trailer rendered inoperable because the gladiator doesnā€™t have a brake controller?
Smart move taking the F250.
No brake controller, no electric brakes.
 
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Well Iā€™m back and the Ford did great. I ended up getting BFG KO2 ATs put on while out on the road. Made a huge difference from the stock tires In the snow. very happy with the trailer.

One thing, even if I had the brake controller on the Gladiator I donā€™t think I would ever take it on that trip. There were a few white knuckle moments through the passes in Colorado and this trailer isnā€™t that big or heavy compared to some of the rigs Iā€™ve seen on this forum. How can you guys be comfortable towing those big trailers on big adventures With the Gladiator?

32C55DD2-3E7A-4C32-9E5B-F177FFB511F5.jpeg
 

mdyucca

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Well Iā€™m back and the Ford did great. I ended up getting BFG KO2 ATs put on while out on the road. Made a huge difference from the stock tires In the snow. very happy with the trailer.

One thing, even if I had the brake controller on the Gladiator I donā€™t think I would ever take it on that trip. There were a few white knuckle moments through the passes in Colorado and this trailer isnā€™t that big or heavy compared to some of the rigs Iā€™ve seen on this forum. How can you guys be comfortable towing those big trailers on big adventures With the Gladiator?

Jeep Gladiator Towing in the snow/ice 32C55DD2-3E7A-4C32-9E5B-F177FFB511F5
Well Iā€™m back and the Ford did great. I ended up getting BFG KO2 ATs put on while out on the road. Made a huge difference from the stock tires In the snow. very happy with the trailer.

One thing, even if I had the brake controller on the Gladiator I donā€™t think I would ever take it on that trip. There were a few white knuckle moments through the passes in Colorado and this trailer isnā€™t that big or heavy compared to some of the rigs Iā€™ve seen on this forum. How can you guys be comfortable towing those big trailers on big adventures With the Gladiator?

Jeep Gladiator Towing in the snow/ice 32C55DD2-3E7A-4C32-9E5B-F177FFB511F5
Is this the trailer you took to Ocotillo Wells?
 
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Is this the trailer you took to Ocotillo Wells?
Yes. I donā€˜t know the area real well. It was my second time ever being out there but would love to be able to set up base camp with the trailer Farther and more remote. Then go explore with the JT or maybe our Kawasaki mule.
 

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Great area for exploring. This past weekend was just to busy with large camps set up everywhere. A year ago, on an off weekend, I went out with my son camped and explored. We had a great time.
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