Chevy Silverado Winter Towing Guide: Hauling Safely in Cold Weather

Just because the weather gets bad and the roads get slippery, doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for towing if and when it’s needed. Whether it’s your job that requires trailering with your Chevy Silverado, your favorite hobbies and pastimes or even a friend or relative that needs help moving across town, it’s crucial to understand how to tow when the winter months arrive. With that in mind, we’ve put together this Chevy Silverado winter towing guide, in which we’re going to discuss hauling safely in cold weather and poor road conditions. So, if you’re worried about the temperature lows, falling snow and icy roads, keep reading to learn how to tow safely this winter!

Naturally, the first step before tackling any task is preparation. It’s incredibly important that you make sure your Silverado is properly prepared before trying to tow anything during the winter, but the good news is there’s not much to it. Essentially, you’re just giving your vehicle a seasonal check up — making sure things work the way they’re supposed to and that you’re good to go before the temperature drops. Follow these steps, in any order, and your Chevy will be ready:

• Tires
  • Winter road conditions demand maximum traction, so it’s essential that you inspect your tires for excess wear and tear. Pay special attention to your tread depth, making sure that it’s still within reason. You should also be checking your tire pressure frequently – on your vehicle as well as any trailers that you use – as cold air can reduce pressure. Lastly, you should consider getting a set of winter tires and switching to them as the weather starts to change, especially if you use your vehicle for towing regularly throughout the season.
• Brakes & Suspension
  • It should come as no surprise that towing puts a lot of extra strain on your braking and suspension systems. Now – before the season officially changes – is the perfect time to make sure things like your brake pads and rotors and your suspension components are all in good, working order. Make sure to repair or replace any parts that aren’t up to snuff.
• Fluids
  • Speaking of your brakes, your brake fluid is just one of the many fluids you should check and top off before winter. Cold weather can have a profound effect on your vehicle’s fluids, so it’s crucial to make sure their condition and levels are where they should be. Engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid… they’re all important, especially if you’re going to be towing, so be sure to check them over.
• Battery
  • Lastly, car batteries are notorious for tapping out during the winter. Colder temperatures have an impact on their efficiency, and if it’s weak it might die on you when you need it most. The last thing you want to happen is to be stranded in the freezing cold, whether you have a trailer or not. So test your battery and replace it if it shows any signs of weakness.

Now that your truck is prepared, it’s time to properly hitch and load your trailer in a way that keeps you and your cargo safe through the winter. Keep these things in mind when it comes time to trailer:

• Balance your trailer weight evenly, with about 60% of the load in front of the axle. If your load is uneven, it can cause fishtailing, which can become especially dangerous in icy conditions.
• Double check that your hitch, safety chains and electrical connections are all secure. Be sure to test your trailer lights as well, because visibility can be severely reduced in snowy conditions, so you want to make sure anyone behind you can see that you’re towing.
• If your trailer has integrated brakes built into it, make sure that they’re functional and synced up with the brake controller in your Silverado, as the extra stopping power they provide will be crucial on slick surfaces.