Towing in the snow/ice

[A 2]

The wife and I are heading out to the Denver area from San Diego to pick up a trailer tomorrow. Should be about 16hours each way passing thru southern Utah, Grand Junction and thru Denver.

Ive been checking the weather and road cams along our route and everything seems relatively clear. Obviously weather can change even with proper planning. Any advice beyond take my time? Anyone think this is a bad idea?

A little background. JT sport with Slightly upgraded BFG A/T 265/70/R17. No Max tow. No trailer brake controller. No WDH. Trailer is a (empty) 6x12 off road box trailer at 2000lbs With brakes. I’m guessing it’s about 8’ high.

I’m no stranger to towing. My tow vehicle is a 2017 F250 but it’s 2wd. Ive towed 20’ box trailers, boats, dump trailers. I’ve never towed anything big with the Gladiator. Ive never towed anything in The snow/ice.

Thoughts?

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[Mac]

Does the trailer have electric brakes or surge brakes? IMO towing in slippery conditions is pretty sketchy in general and without trailer brakes even worse.

 

[A 2]

Does the trailer have electric brakes or surge brakes? IMO towing in slippery conditions is pretty sketchy in general and without trailer brakes even worse.

That’s a good question, I guess I need to check with the dealer. For some reason I thought everything These days were electric brakes.

 

[NGNERD]

Wouldn't want to do it without a brake controller. You could stop at Norther Tool or somewhere else and pick up a Curt Echo if you do not have time to do another option, download the app, plug it in, sync up to blue tooth, and you have brakes.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...HLSWJ71T0s0nZdTk3R4ekgHNDnjEqrhsaAnWwEALw_wcB

 

[A 2]

I will check in the morning on brake type but here is a pic of the rig and the tongue. Electric brakes?

 

[TennesseePA]

Those are electric brakes. The little battery box that activates the brakes during a breakaway is the clue.

 

[TennesseePA]

And I might add that’s a sweet little trailer. Who is the dealer?

 

[A 2]

Wouldn't want to do it without a brake controller. You could stop at Norther Tool or somewhere else and pick up a Curt Echo if you do not have time to do another option, download the app, plug it in, sync up to blue tooth, and you have brakes.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200783423_200783423?gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_source=google_PPC&utm_medium=NT DSA Feed&utm_campaign=DSA Feed&utm_content=&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3NX_BRDQARIsALA3fIKp3qAgZDSJ6imRRJdzEwSHLSWJ71T0s0nZdTk3R4ekgHNDnjEqrhsaAnWwEALw_wcB

Hmm, I’m not sure I have time to get a brake controller. Should I take the Ford? It’s has the tow package with brake controller but it’s 2wd.

 

[A 2]

And I might add that’s a sweet little trailer. Who is the dealer?

Colorado Trailers. Check them out. At ColoradotrailersInc.com. They have some cool setups. Pricing is ok but they had the configuration and options I was lookin for.

 

[Kevin_D]

Wouldn't want to do it without a brake controller. You could stop at Norther Tool or somewhere else and pick up a Curt Echo if you do not have time to do another option, download the app, plug it in, sync up to blue tooth, and you have brakes.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200783423_200783423?gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_source=google_PPC&utm_medium=NT DSA Feed&utm_campaign=DSA Feed&utm_content=&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3NX_BRDQARIsALA3fIKp3qAgZDSJ6imRRJdzEwSHLSWJ71T0s0nZdTk3R4ekgHNDnjEqrhsaAnWwEALw_wcB

Hmm, I’m not sure I have time to get a brake controller. Should I take the Ford? It’s has the tow package with brake controller but it’s 2wd.

Did you follow the Northern Tool link provided?
It's for a Bluetooth brake controller that uses an app on your smartphone.

And if you decide to take the F250, just have chains handy.
You should have chains for the JT, anyway.

Kevin

 

[A 2]

Did you follow the Northern Tool link provided?
It's for a Bluetooth brake controller that uses an app on your smartphone.

And if you decide to take the F250, just have chains handy.
You should have chains for the JT, anyway.

Kevin

Yes, it looks like a cool product. I will need to search around for a northern tool or somewhere else.

Good advice on the chains. I need to dig those out tonight. I don’t get to use them often And forget I even have them.

 

[Koja]

Low and slow when you get in to nasty roads. Drive like its on a sheet of ice. I brought up a 18 foot RV across MT ID and wa with out TB, i just planned accordingly.

 

[PDiddy]

Yes, it looks like a cool product. I will need to search around for a northern tool or somewhere else.

Good advice on the chains. I need to dig those out tonight. I don’t get to use them often And forget I even have them.

I used the Curt brake control until I installed the Mopar factory one. You can pick it up at a local truck store or auto store. So you don't need to worry about waiting for it. set doesn't take long at all. I did buy a phone mount when I used mine. That way I could see the screen and apply the trailer brakes manually if I need to.

 

[A 2]

I used the Curt brake control until I installed the Mopar factory one. You can pick it up at a local truck store or auto store. So you don't need to worry about waiting for it. set doesn't take long at all. I did buy a phone mount when I used mine. That way I could see the screen and apply the trailer brakes manually if I need to.

I’m leaving tomorrow morning. Cliff notes on the install?

 

[PDiddy]

I’m leaving tomorrow morning. Cliff notes on the install?

Super easy. Install the app on your phone ahead of time (tonight). you plug the controller into the 7 pin on the back of your truck (it goes between the truck's plug inlet and the trailer plug). Open the app, have it find the controller, and off you go. You don't really need to set it up until you get there. Just buy it before you pick up the trailer and set it up when you connect the trailer to the truck.

Enjoy your new trailer!

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