Would you tow on snow?

[Hazel in Sk]

Driving on 'active' snow plus maybe freezing rain or slush isn't my idea of fun.

If the area you plan to travel in is scheduled to get the same weather system that Alberta and Saskatchewan are digging out from - I'd stay away from it.

The first photo shows a buried stop sign somewhere in Saskatchewan.
The second one is of a drifted highway in Alberta. The highway is supposed to go to a friend's farm but is (obviously) a no drive zone. The farm drive (if you could get to it) has 10 ' of snow.

The other two photos show the Trans Canada Highway near Regina.

These shots were taken March 21st - but not by me!

[Jared J]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Let's remember that the O.P. is going anyway- the only question is whether or not the trailer's going, too.

I frankly wouldn't have a problem taking it provided the trailer's properly equipped with brakes and chains (and chains for the tug, too). According to what I see on maps, the grades on the proposed route aren't that steep, at least as compared to some of the short steep climbs I've made over some passes in the Cascades. If the tug's up to the job there's no reason in my mind to fear any trouble simply due to the trailer being back there, especially on a highway as well maintained and traveled as Interstate 70.

Francesca

I've been on that "not so steep" route in a 4wd pickup with real v-bar chains, and tires slipping. The sides of the road looked like a used car lot.

[John McMillin]

I wouldn't want any part of that mess, or the long traffic jam stuck behind it, either!

Other personal factors weigh in against taking the trailer this time, including no available campsites at our other destination, Zion. Our daughter, 16, has a learner's permit that she's hardly had time to use. I want her to have a chance to enjoy this long drive as a driver, and I'm happy to give her my shifts (I've been driving 3-5 hours a day for work). And no, I won't be posting the question, "Should I let my novice teenaged driver pull the trailer?" Might get some entertaining responses, if I did, though!

The economics of fuel prices are getting tougher on tow-ers, too. When we bought our Scamp eight years ago, gas was about $2.50, right! Now, at $4, I estimate that we'd save $150 in gas over a 1500 mile round trip. That pays for two or three economy motel rooms. I'd expect to average 10-15 mph faster speeds without the trailer (there's an 80-mph speed limit on Utah interstate highways). Our trailers work best when gas is cheap, and you stay in camp more days than you spend on the road.

For these and other reasons, the Scamp's staying right where it is, snowed in, this time.

[Radar1]

I've only towed our trailer once in snow, and that was a freak storm in GA that only had about an inch of snow, on the same day we picked up our new-to-us Scamp. I would not willingly drive in snow with the camper. Other drivers do enough stupid things in good weather that require us to brake hard or take evasive action, and I would not want to do some of the avoidance maneuvers I've had to do with snow thrown into the equation. (PS. I'm from the NE and lived a year in AK so I do have plenty of ice and snow experience)
My advice is leave the camper home.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by John McMillin

For these and other reasons, the Scamp's staying right where it is, snowed in, this time.

I think it was the right decision

[Mike Magee]

I hope the roads get cleaned up soonest so you can maximize your vacation time.

[rgrugg]

I wouldn't tow in snow if I had a choice but I did twice. Once in AZ when going uphill on I-17. Nothing when we started but up a couple of thousand feet and there it was. Turned around as soon as I could and went back downhill. The other time was on I-196 in west Michigan. Nothing until we got close to the Lake Michigan shore where we ran into lake effect snow. After a few miles i turned off and headed away from the lake. Within 10 miles we were out of it. That time two other couples were towing with us. All were happy to get out of it.