Opinions on towing 6x12 enclosed trailer for snowmobile transport in winter

[EJH]

Hi all-

Background on my towing experience and my Ranger:

• I frequently tow a 5,000 lbs. travel trailer, with WDH and trailer brakes. No issues, very confident, but I will not town in winter conditions.
• Dozens of trips with a U-Haul 5x8 cargo trailer, near max load of 3,000 lbs. No WDH nor trailer brakes. Never towed in winter conditions.
• My Ranger has dedicated snow tires, Fox 2.0 all around.

I need a tow solution for a single snowmobile (125” long, 600 lbs fully loaded).

I can do an open/flat trailer no problem with regard to ease and safe towing. I’m not crazy about the sled being in the open. My area does not salt roads, which also means our winter driving is more of a clusterf*ck at times.

I prefer an enclosed trailer. The snowmobile stays cleaner. It is more secure and the sled can be stored in the trailer at home, rather than taking garage or shed space. Plus I can transport some gear in the enclosed trailer.

I was hoping for a 6x10 V-nose trailer (Empty Weight 1232 lbs. Overall Length 13' 9") but that’s too short by a couple inches
Next up would be a 6x12 flat front trailer (Empty Weight 1335 lbs. Overall Length 15' 9"). No need for a V nose to get the extra length, since a V-nose is $400 more plus another 70 lbs. empty.

Here’s the ideal trailer I would end up with:
https://www.trailersplus.com/Oregon/Redmond/6-Wide-Cargo-Trailers/trailer/4RAVS121XSN134304/
I would be around $2,000 lbs total trailer weight loaded up, just under 16 ft total length.
There are no trailer brakes, nor would I have a WDH for that light of a trailer.

Question: I would like to hear from others that have towed a similar trailer, in winter driving conditions.
Is this too much trailer for the Ranger to manage on winter roads? Will the size catch too much wind?
(I would have issues outside of winter)
I'm open to swapping out the trailer tires if needed.

Thanks all

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[Jamie Jack]

Hi Ed. I'm in BC and tow a flat 5x8 trailer with my quad in winter for ice fishing. Total load is about 600kgs and I use normal summer trailer tires. This involves normal highway towing at 120kph, then high mountain (2000m) towing at 100kph, then FSR snow packed gravel roads at 35kph, and then finally narrow snow packed access roads at 15kph. I generally go out once or twice a week, in both good conditions and full winter storm conditions. The high mountain highways can have sustained winds of 60kph and gusts to 80kph. I've never had any problems whatsoever towing. I don't think that a covered sled trailer would be any different, except perhaps in a strong crosswind, and then I doubt that there would be any issue aside from slowing down. I use 4x4H, trailer mode and studded winter tires on compact snow.

The only issues have been turning the trailer around in the sled offload site. If there are ruts or a slight incline, then the trailer doesn't quite respond as it would on pavement, sliding or jackknifing slightly and only requires a second attempt.

Have fun, don't waste the winter.

 

[EJH]

Hi Ed. I'm in BC and tow a flat 5x8 trailer with my quad in winter for ice fishing. Total load is about 600kgs and I use normal summer trailer tires

Thanks Jamie.

Are you okay with the standard summer (all-season) tires on your trailer, with snow tires on the truck? Do you ever need to chain up the trailer? Does the trailer ever slide and want to pull the truck with it?

Your load is about 2/3 what mine will be, but similar driving conditions. On snowy roads, I'll be maxing out at 45mph (70 kph), if that, likely much slower.

 

[Dereku]

Why not get those janky looking dedicated snowmobile trailers? They are cheap used and weight nothing, plus low profile.

 

[EJH]

Why not get those janky looking dedicated snowmobile trailers? They are cheap used and weight nothing, plus low profile.

The open, flat ones are kind of cheap, but all worn out to shit where I live. The same ones are cheap new, but I don't want an open trailer.

The covered, dedicated snowmobiles ones are ridiculously priced used here, same with generic enclosed cargo trailers. For some reason people think their old stuff is worth way too much here.

 

[Dereku]

The open, flat ones are kind of cheap, but all worn out to shit where I live. The same ones are cheap new, but I don't want an open trailer.

The covered, dedicated snowmobiles ones are ridiculously priced used here, same with generic enclosed cargo trailers. For some reason people think their old stuff is worth way too much here.

Same by me. Those trailers are crap for anything other than sleds. Not sure why they are so spendy. I used a 24’ enclosed back in the day for 3 sleds. Nice to have the room. Also had a diesel…

 

[Bsenecal]

Hi all-

Background on my towing experience and my Ranger:

• I frequently tow a 5,000 lbs. travel trailer, with WDH and trailer brakes. No issues, very confident, but I will not town in winter conditions.
• Dozens of trips with a U-Haul 5x8 cargo trailer, near max load of 3,000 lbs. No WDH nor trailer brakes. Never towed in winter conditions.
• My Ranger has dedicated snow tires, Fox 2.0 all around.

I need a tow solution for a single snowmobile (125” long, 600 lbs fully loaded).

I can do an open/flat trailer no problem with regard to ease and safe towing. I’m not crazy about the sled being in the open. My area does not salt roads, which also means our winter driving is more of a clusterf*ck at times.

I prefer an enclosed trailer. The snowmobile stays cleaner. It is more secure and the sled can be stored in the trailer at home, rather than taking garage or shed space. Plus I can transport some gear in the enclosed trailer.

I was hoping for a 6x10 V-nose trailer (Empty Weight 1232 lbs. Overall Length 13' 9") but that’s too short by a couple inches
Next up would be a 6x12 flat front trailer (Empty Weight 1335 lbs. Overall Length 15' 9"). No need for a V nose to get the extra length, since a V-nose is $400 more plus another 70 lbs. empty.

Here’s the ideal trailer I would end up with:
https://www.trailersplus.com/Oregon/Redmond/6-Wide-Cargo-Trailers/trailer/4RAVS121XSN134304/
I would be around $2,000 lbs total trailer weight loaded up, just under 16 ft total length.
There are no trailer brakes, nor would I have a WDH for that light of a trailer.

Question: I would like to hear from others that have towed a similar trailer, in winter driving conditions.
Is this too much trailer for the Ranger to manage on winter roads? Will the size catch too much wind?
(I would have issues outside of winter)
I'm open to swapping out the trailer tires if needed.

Thanks all

Here is a picture of the 7.5x 16 trailer that I have towed 2 sleds with thousands of miles.
I am a big believer is brakes which also presents a challenge with our Ranger’s as you need to purchase and install an aftermarket brake controller.
Very happy with how it tows.

 

[EJH]

Here is a picture of the 7.5x 16 trailer that I have towed 2 sleds with thousands of miles.
I am a big believer is brakes which also presents a challenge with our Ranger’s as you need to purchase and install an aftermarket brake controller.
Very happy with how it tows.

Nice looking trailer there. Does it have trailer brakes?

 

[Bsenecal]

Nice looking trailer there. Does it have trailer brakes?

Absolutely, I wouldn’t own one to tow I. The wi tee without them. It was a $400 option.
Brian

 

[Frenchy]

I don't care what trailer you pull. When it comes to towing, the goal is to make sure you get to the destination safely. If you feel it isn't safe to go, the. Don't go. If it means slowing down because the conditions call for it, then slow down. Not too hard. No need to over think it.

The truck is plenty capable and I'm sure you are smart enough to know when you should slow down or stop.

 

[21Blackout]

I tow close to 7000lbs every weekend 40 miles even in winter no changes from summer other than winter tires for the truck. I also use a 7x16 enclosed trailer as well never had an issue with it, but trailer brakes are key imo.

 

[Frenchy]

I tow close to 7000lbs every weekend 40 miles even in winter no changes from summer other than winter tires for the truck. I also use a 7x16 enclosed trailer as well never had an issue with it, but trailer brakes are key imo.

A nice trailer brake controller is also key!! I won't argue that there are plenty of great options out there. My personal favorite is the RedArc(what Ford uses as well).

 

[EJH]

A nice trailer brake controller is also key!! I won't argue that there are plenty of great options out there. My personal favorite is the RedArc(what Ford uses as well).

I have the Ford version of the RedArc. I use it with my TT.

The GVWR of enclosed trailers I'm looking into do not warrant trailer brakes (3000 lbs GVWR). In reality, I'm unlikely to load more than 2,000 lbs.

 

[Frenchy]

I have the Ford version of the RedArc. I use it with my TT.

The GVWR of enclosed trailers I'm looking into do not warrant trailer brakes (3000 lbs GVWR). In reality, I'm unlikely to load more than 2,000 lbs.

Something to remember with the RedArc Trailer Brake Controller assuming it is the Tow Pro Elite. You can turn off the Trailer Brakes with that controller. If you have the instructions for it, it will tell you how. If you don't have the instructions anymore, you can go to RedArc's website to get it.

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