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Old 11-27-2017, 05:05 PM   #1
ScotnBev
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Towing in the rain

Have a trip planed for this weekend and most likely or will rain the day we leave, about 230 miles. I haven't towed in the rain yet and looking for wisdom. Towing down the interstate isn't a big concern, but there will be about 20 miles through the mountains from Willits to Ft. Bragg, CA on hwy 20. Fairly steep and sharp turns. What do I need to be extra careful about, or is it best to try to reschedule?

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Old 11-27-2017, 05:10 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by ScotnBev View Post
Have a trip planed for this weekend and most likely or will rain the day we leave, about 230 miles. I haven't towed in the rain yet and looking for wisdom. Towing down the interstate isn't a big concern, but there will be about 20 miles through the mountains from Willits to Ft. Bragg, CA on hwy 20. Fairly steep and sharp turns. What do I need to be extra careful about, or is it best to try to reschedule?

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If diesel on your truck, use your exhaust brake if so equipped on the downhills. It makes an incredible difference in the amount of control. Otherwise, down shift to help control your speed.

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Old 11-27-2017, 05:18 PM   #3
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Towing in the rain isn't an issue if you watch your speed, other folks and keep your distance. I think my truck probably tracks better in the rain with the trailer than when empty.....but I'm usually driving slower.

One thing I'd suggest is to look under the trailer and make sure your coroplast is properly secured and out of the way of excessive water spray. My maiden trip in a HEAVY rainstorm with this trailer resulted in the coroplast falling down and the underside then accumulating water between it and the trailer. They had to do a lot of repair work (warranty thankfully).
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Old 11-27-2017, 05:18 PM   #4
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Get a yellow "rubber duckie" set it on the dash and you'll be good to go. There's really no difference in towing in the rain (other than the urge to whistle) and towing on dry days. Just slow down a bit, don't over-extend your rig's capabilities and keep your eyes "OUT" of the cockpit.... Go have fun !!!!!
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Old 11-27-2017, 05:30 PM   #5
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So being from the PNW, found this question interesting until I saw your location.
Towing in the rain you just need to use a bit more caution, how long since it has rained in the area?? If it has been quite a while oil build up on the road will make it just a bit more slippery.
Watch your tire pressure!! Many state Max side wall always, so wrong for wet conditions, inflate based on an load/inflation chart. example, my rear axle tires are rated at 3,415# ea, @ 80 psi, load on the axles is about 5,500# so I run them at 65 to 70 psi, keeps more tread in contact with the road. The same is true for my 5er, less than 10,000# on tires rated for 12,168# as they are also LT truck tires run them at 70 psi also.
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Old 11-27-2017, 07:16 PM   #6
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Thx for the great replies. Yes have a diesel with exchuste break, love it. I'm sure the yellow rubber ducky is critical so will get one before we leave. And I'll look into the tier pressure, I have aTPMS with sensors on all 10 tires. So seems like common sense and caution is all I need. Thx again for the input. Gives confidence I'm not being foolish.

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Old 11-27-2017, 07:53 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
Get a yellow "rubber duckie" set it on the dash and you'll be good to go. There's really no difference in towing in the rain (other than the urge to whistle) and towing on dry days. Just slow down a bit, don't over-extend your rig's capabilities and keep your eyes "OUT" of the cockpit.... Go have fun !!!!!
No rubber duckie but I had to tow in heavy downpour a few times on our cross country trip. No exhaust brake, just slowed down and left a LOT OF ROOM to slow/ stop. Your biggest issue will be the idiots that are still in a hurry and cut you off to make that exit.
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Old 11-27-2017, 08:26 PM   #8
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Thx for the great replies. Yes have a diesel with exchuste break, love it. I'm sure the yellow rubber ducky is critical so will get one before we leave. And I'll look into the tier pressure, I have aTPMS with sensors on all 10 tires. So seems like common sense and caution is all I need. Thx again for the input. Gives confidence I'm not being foolish.

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Scott Hwy 20 from Williams to Hwy 101 isn't to bad but the Willits to Ft Bragg is narrow in places and some tight corners. Take corners wide and slow and don't get on the shoulder you will be fine; that is a beautiful drive even in the rain. Been raining a lot around those parts so road shouldn't be too oily. Have fun and stay safe
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Old 11-27-2017, 08:47 PM   #9
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Just wanted to add Hwy 128 from Cloverdale is quite a bit straighter if you were taking Hwy 80 down from Placerville and going through Napa instead of Clearlake. If thats were you coming from. That route would take you along Hwy 1 coast to ft Bragg.
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Old 11-27-2017, 10:01 PM   #10
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Thx for the great replies. Yes have a diesel with exchuste break, love it. I'm sure the yellow rubber ducky is critical so will get one before we leave. And I'll look into the tier pressure, I have aTPMS with sensors on all 10 tires. So seems like common sense and caution is all I need. Thx again for the input. Gives confidence I'm not being foolish.

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Keep in mind the your Cougar only has a GVWR of 12,090# so even at 25% life is only 3,000# on the back of a DRW, unless you have a bunch of stuff in the bed, rear tire pressure will easily be in the 60 to 65 psi range for best set traction.
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Old 11-27-2017, 10:20 PM   #11
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Thx Bill for the route advice, greatly appreciated. We are family with Ft. Bragg and the various routes. Pomo RV is one off our regular places. We prefer the Clearlake/Willets route mostly because of less traffic. Hwy 37 between I80 and hwy 101 seems to be a parking lot now adays. Hwy 20 from Willets is the concern in the rain for the reasons you mention. Just looking for the wisdom of this route in the rain. I'll just take my time and enjoy the scenery.

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Old 11-28-2017, 06:38 AM   #12
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Ensure you have good wipers, a full tank of windshield juice, the same tire pressure you always run, take the route less traveled to avoid the plethora of road morons and enjoy the scenery.
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Old 11-28-2017, 06:54 AM   #13
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I would respectfully, but vehemently disagree with the notion of deflating tires to run in the rain. I don't think the idea is acceptable from any angle.
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Old 11-28-2017, 07:52 AM   #14
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I have been on the Hwy 20 route many times, both dry and in the rain. Speed is the killer here. SLOW DOWN and use turnouts you will be fine. One more thing about towing in the rain, be prepared to do a complete wash job as trailer it will be covered with road crud. Go have fun.
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Old 11-28-2017, 08:45 AM   #15
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I would respectfully, but hehemently disagree with the notion of deflating tires to run in the rain. I don't think the idea is acceptable from any angle.
A tire inflated to max sidewall pressure may be overinflated for the load carried, as such reducing the contact patch with the road! This is NOt a good idea, you want the MAXIMUM CONTACT patch, not MAXIMUM PRESSURE unless you are running with tires at maximum load. You can find load inflation tables with the tire manufacturers web sites usually.

I live in the Wet Coast, trust me on this, this is not just for wet, you should always run the correct pressure of the load!
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Old 11-28-2017, 09:17 AM   #16
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Just out of curiosity, do the 5ers not get affected as much by the vortex created by passing semis on the interstate?? I would assume weight helps.
I have no problem with twisty two lane highways in inclement conditions. Mostly hate being on the interstate when truckers come hauling by and create a little "pull" as they motor by.
Last winter we had a guy go by in freezing fog on I84 in eastern OR with zero visibility. We were doing 40-45 due to black ice. He rolled by at 60. Found him sideways in the median a few miles up.
I guess I'm saying interstate seems worse for me than 2 lanes. Curious is 5ers experience this??
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Old 11-28-2017, 09:23 AM   #17
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Just out of curiosity, do the 5ers not get affected as much by the vortex created by passing semis on the interstate?? I would assume weight helps.
I have no problem with twisty two lane highways in inclement conditions. Mostly hate being on the interstate when truckers come hauling by and create a little "pull" as they motor by.
Last winter we had a guy go by in freezing fog on I84 in eastern OR with zero visibility. We were doing 40-45 due to black ice. He rolled by at 60. Found him sideways in the median a few miles up.
I guess I'm saying interstate seems worse for me than 2 lanes. Curious is 5ers experience this??
Much less to zero drag from 80 mph semis with a 5er ...
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Old 11-28-2017, 09:24 AM   #18
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I will add 2 things to some very good advice: Use your Tow-Haul mode if your truck has it and DO NOT use cruise control. Have towed in rain many times w/o a problem but you cannot be in a hurry. Good luck.
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Old 11-28-2017, 09:28 AM   #19
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Much less to zero drag from 80 mph semis with a 5er ...
Would make sense with twice the weight and a larger TV. Don't tell my wife lol
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Old 11-28-2017, 09:32 AM   #20
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Towing in the rain

I just have to disagree. Run your tires at rated sidewall pressure. If there is ice on the road then pull over and wait.

Lowering tire pressure lets sidewalks flex and is just a recipe for troubles and short tire life

Running 110 psi coming into Yellowstone NP and there was patches of snow and ice. Proper speed, gearing , and a lot of common sense rule

I live in Idaho and tow in MT,Wy, NV, Or, SD,



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