Capable of towing in snow?

[cNate]

This thread seems to be the closest I could find on here to address my research. I drive up into the Sierra Mountains quite a bit in winter (Mammoth Mountain). Been doing this drive nearly 20 years now and have never needed chains. I have a 2014 GMC SLT 5.3L 4x4 with 6” lift, 35” TOYO RTs, 4.10 Yukon gears (3.42 stock), trailer break, SuperSpring, tuner and all sorts of other fun stuff. I’ve towed my boat a lot in summer but have never towed in winter (obviously). I just bought a 34’ trailer that weighs about 8k lbs loaded and is designed for 4 season camping.

Here’s my question: what can I do besides driving slow, allowing a lot of time to stop and avoiding ice, to successfully pull the trailer in winter conditions? Mammoth does a great job keep the roads clear and throws plenty of gravel. Would anyone recommend chains on the trailer in icy conditions as well as the truck?

How about the truck itself: chains or cables and any recommendations for 35” tires? I’ve driven in some crazy conditions up there without chains but never with 8k lbs behind me. Will be keeping a close eye on weather and not traveling unless safe as there’s a 3k ft climb in the last 45 mins of the drive and I don’t intend on going up or down that hill with 14k lbs when there’s ice. There’s a nice back RV park at the bottom of that grade!

Thanks,

Nate


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[cire0309]

On 10/29/2018 at 4:26 PM, Bushleaguechew said:

2 feet of snow on a dirt road $0

Running on a narrow groomed snowmobile track covered in 2 feet of snow. About $300 dollars to have a front loader come pull me out.


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What light bar you have tucked behind the grille?

[Sierra706]

What light bar you have tucked behind the grille?

The rough country kit. Going strong two years now. I have it wired to a 3 position switch and it fires with my high beams.


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[truckguy82]

On 10/29/2018 at 5:42 PM, aseibel said:

Yeah, over 1' deep you are pushing snow with the front bumper. We had a 20" blizzard last spring after the ground thawed. I wanted to see how deep I could drive through without plowing. After 12" I had to go put the plow on and move it out of my way. 

 

There's a car buried in the ditch after I got out of my driveway.

I’ve driven over a mile in 36” of snow.

 

It was fresh snow though from two storms back to back.

 

Most of the time snow that deep has older snow on the bottom which is undoubtably a lot thicker and more packed.

[Sean403]

As far as what trim level to get..

 

The g80 rear diff will help. 

 

Also the new at4 trim comes with a slight lift and better tires. 

 

An integrated trailer brake will work with stabilitrak which can help if you start to slide.