Cold weather towing

[Norca]

It loks like it is going to happen finally!!
Nor-Ca is going to Florida next weekend maybe, if our project at work gets done this week.
Over 3000km (1864 miles) of towing, but the weatherman says it's going to get cold, like -30C (-22F)
So my question is if the cold weather will affect the boat or trailer, if the fiberglass will be so brittle the boat could crack, or the aluminum trailer??
On a good paved road, I don't think there will be any problem, but what if there is a hole in the road?
Some plastics get real brittle in cold weather, and steel get brittle and can crack also, so what do You all think? is there any danger?

[seahouse]

Jealous over here.

Assuming your vehicle itself is ready, block heater, synthetic oil, etc the only thing I would suggest is low- temperature grease in the trailer wheel bearings. Again, grease with synthetic oil in it is good for temperature extremes. I don't think there's much risk in the other things you mention, and not much, save heroic measures, you could do about them if there was.

Bon voyage!

[yukonbob]

Also throw some plumbing antifreeze through the flipper pump at the sink as well as down the drain as there are low spots that when frozen may crack a fitting or hose. Make sure your leg is completely drained and new leg oil to ensure there's no water in there.

[yukonbob]

And to add to seahouse the obvious spare tire(s) and cold weather tire changing gear-insulated coveralls gloves toque boots etc. these are priceless at low temps if you have to fix something on your rig or trailer.

[Norca]

Well seahouse, I'm in Hamilton right now, and it's pretty cold now with the wind blowing pretty hard, can't wait to get south
I am not going out to change the whell bearing grease in -30C,
Too late for that. The jeep is as ready as can be, never gave any problems in cold weather and the boat is winterized so that should be fine. I was thinking more about the structural integrity of the trailer and the boat in such cold weather, I know the steel in the trailer tongue is probably brittle in colder than -20.
That is an issue on the freighters that I work on when it gets really cold, If the mate load the ship wrong, she will break the hull even in summer so they have to be really careful in winter.

[seahouse]

Good advice Bob to another Canadian regarding having a toque on hand.

Funny thing is, most Americans will have no idea what a toque is.

It's somewhat of a standing joke (among the seasonal Americans) in our neighbourhood.

Obviously if a toque is too loose, you tighten it with a toque wrench....

[seahouse]

Hey Norca - it's only going to get warmer from here on down!

[Norca]

[Tomfoolery]

Kinda like this . . . ?

[seahouse]

Kinda like this . . . ?

Yeah, take off, eh.

[aviro]

hi
I did the trip 2 time from Québec city to the keys in January
no problems but I have a double axel trailer
be carefull with the snow or the ice
il you like send me a p/m I will phone you
a la prochaine
Jean-Francois

[yukonbob]

Good advice Bob to another Canadian regarding having a toque on hand.

Funny thing is, most Americans will have no idea what a toque is.

It's somewhat of a standing joke (among the seasonal Americans) in our neighbourhood.

Thats why I put that in there I'd wear it right to Florida then out on the boat 'just cuz'. The looks you'd get would be worth the heat stroke.

[Norca]

I'd wear it right to Florida then out on the boat 'just cuz'. The looks you'd get would be worth the heat stroke.

Good advise
I might just do that.

[kevinnem]

a few things come to mind, .. in cold weather things take long, .. they are only slightly harder, but take longer - so take your time, make sure it is all done right.

I would not worry about most of the things mentioned, I would consider what tire pressure I want on both tow and trailer. I would keep trailer topped up for best tracking.. and tow slightly lower for better traction. If you have brakes on the trailer, I would ensure they are working, .. by doing some sort of test to PROVE they are working.

Either way the most likely issue you will have by far, is control of the vehicle on snow and ice. I lost control of a trailer once on ice, and it is not an exaggeration for me to say it was one of the most scare experiences of my life. I was towing a dual axle utility trailer, not sure of weight, guessing about 4000lbs, about the same as our macs, ... but it was a bit shorter, used electric brakes, though I don't know if they worked (rental). anyway , I was driving along through the mountains - downhill, it was scary as hull, I had to brake constantly, .. there was a good 20 mins where I was RIGHT on the edge of trying to slow the whole thing down, and still make the corners. We have all taken a corner a bit to fast at some point in our lives, .. and we have that mental calculation that goes on where you think about how much brake you can use, and how much steering wheel you can use ... well anyway , imagine driving like that for 20 mins in a big snow storm. I was looking like 800 meters ahead.... after all that I get on a flat pick of road near Fernie ski hill in southern B.C. full of black ice. The trailer spins form behind me, and starts pulling me down the road (backward), . at say .. 35-40 KM /hour or a hair more .. in the lane of on coming traffic .. I travel about 150 meters like this I figure...I come to a stop once I go all the way off the road and in to a snow bank, I hit a sign on the way that slightly damaged the side of my truck. I am 100% convinced that if a car had been in that on coming lane I would have killed who ever was in that car.

So long story short.. go slow take you time, never lose your concentration even for a second - things can go bad so quickly.

Kev.