Towing on snowy roads with a dually

[zx6r1996]

Hey everybody, we are looking at getting an F450 dually to pull our 28' enclosed trailer (it's basically a car hauler type trailer). Just wondering how the dual rear wheels will work on snowy roads. The last two years we used an Excursion, which had a little wider tire, but of course there was only one on each side.

Typically, more weight on a smaller area yields better traction in the snow, but I wasn't sure how much of a difference it would be. There is a fair amount of tongue weight (it's not a 5th wheel), so that will help.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mvedepo]

Why not just get a SRW F-350? You will lose a fair amount of traction with the dually. Driving in 4x4 will help some.

 

[skeeter2010]

I have a Dodge dually and in regards to snow they are not very good, the problem is the rear tires split the tracks of the front tires so you are always breaking a new path. they are really bad empty in the winter with the power and the weight being distrbuted between the 4 rear tires there just is not enough pressure per tire to get good traction without putting a lot of weigth in the bed.
However we also have a 28' travel trailer and typically do not use the equalizer bars because they are just not needed my guess is due to the huge sway bars and extra tires that distribute the load.

So I guess I would say really good in the summer and on dry pavment in the winter but not in snow

 

[wirev]

Towing

Whay Skeeter 2010 said. Dually's are alright as long as you have the weight but are terrible if not. I had one to tow a fifth wheel in the summer but it was terrible in the winter, even while towing a four-place. Only way it worded was if there were 1000# in the bed.

 

[Firecatguy]

This is the rig we use all winter and could not ask for anything better ....we love it....

I also use Duallys all winter at work and Like them way better than my half ton......

 

[favoritos]

Wow, no quick solution to the original question here.
How about a 1 ton single?

 

[rmk4ever]

I have pulled the outer tires on mine, & it tracks pretty good. However some weight in the bed also helps. We just throw a old polaris storm in the bed thats heavy enough to weigh it down some. He! He! It's my buddy's back up sled.

 

[chad66]

I would agree, a SRW 350 for that trailer is more than enough. I use to pull an enclosed 38' gooseneck race trailer with my dually and it was awesome but that's a lot more trailer and empty it SUCKED! Even if I'd been only towing that trailer once and a while I'd have gone with a SRW but I was going almost every weekend and the stability of the dually was nice w/the gooseneck.

Chad@M&M