Chains on Trailers

[elksnout]

Is there any benefit to chaining up a utility trailer in the snow and ice? Mine is a 4'x8' without trailer brakes for obvious reasons. I was thinking it might help in keeping the truck under control more during braking. Or is this just a stupid thought? Hard to think about snow when it's ninety degrees out but rifle elk will be here soon enough.

[JLS]

I've chained up a horse trailer before, but I'm not sure it would benefit you where it does not have brakes?  I think if it was really icy it sure wouldn't hurt.

[CAMPMEAT]

I don't think that's a bad question. I had semis for 10 years and drove them for 20. With weight in a brakeless trailer, you might actually have a bit more control of your tow vehicle. If your trailer started whipping on you, it might help control slowing down to get it under control before you might jackknife the tow vehicle and trailer.    An empty trailer of that size and only weight of the trailer most likely wouldn't be that big of a deal. Everything is subject to speed. The faster you go, the more dangerous it gets. I used to haul 105,500 lbs in my trucks. So when I was empty, it was more dangerous than being loaded. Harder to control. Hope that make sense.

[ICEMAN]

I feel it helps to keep a trailer from sliding off to the side when on a sloped trail or road. On the flat, not sure it helps much...

[rtspring]

Nope, if your trailer.is sliding, your pretty much screwed already. Slow down you will be fine.

[HntnFsh]

I feel it helps to keep a trailer from sliding off to the side when on a sloped trail or road. On the flat, not sure it helps much...

Thats about the only benefit I could see.

[elksnout]

Thanks for the input guys. It was just a thought I've had so I decided to toss the question out. The replies were in line with my thoughts.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Might help on a big, heavy trailer--small utility trailer, probably not worth the effort. 

[CAMPMEAT]

Might help on a big, heavy trailer--small utility trailer, probably not worth the effort. 

Kinda what I was getting at....probably not worth the price of chains.

[MIKEXRAY]

I agree with the above post that states it wouldn't help much without electric brakes.  I have a snowmobile enclosed trailer dual axle with electric brakes & I carry dragger cables for the trailer.  They have saved my ass on icy hills, mostly going into Greenwater snow park. Not to much of a cost if it makes you feel better but should not have much trouble with a small trailer.  Mike

[rasbo]

we always chained one tire on the trailer coming out of the woods in Idaho,they wanna slide off the road if there is any angle...better to use them than not

[CAMPMEAT]

Cable chains are cheap for piece of mind.  6 Roblees might be a good place to start price shopping. But be frugal my friend.

[sled]

we always chained one tire on the trailer coming out of the woods in Idaho,they wanna slide off the road if there is any angle...better to use them than not

  i have been on the pass many time in stop and go traffic in the snow.  I have seen a couple trailers and vehicles slide into the car or jersey barriers on a sloped road while slowing starting or being stopped.    Now that i own a trailer i will be putting on chains on that and the truck.