Carrying a snowblower.

[87YOTA]

with the cold weather upon us and the snow probably on its way, I've been trying to think of the best way to carry a snow blower to my grandparents house when it does snow once i finish my own property. I have a 24inch MTD 2 stage that i used to carry around with my old ranger.

I've thought of one of those hitch racks but i don't know how i feel about that idea, having it hang off the back like that. and using my trailers out of the question.

I've also contemplated getting another truck for the winter. I'm not opposed to this, actually i wouldn't mind, but i could put the money towards bigger tires to go with my lift i just installed.

any ideas you guys might have would be great.

Thanks,

 

[Doc2012]

Got lockers? Those would be a good idea for the snow.

Lay the back seats down, make some kind of ramp, an out the darn thing in the back of the runner. You might have to lay it down, so make sure you carry gas and not keep the tank of the blower full enough to where it will leak.

Also, lay a tarp or something down in the back to keep the water from melting snow off the carpet.

Just my .01.

 

[87YOTA]

i have a husky liner already, i dont know if it would fit back there though

 

[MX4R]

Get the hitch carrier. I carry my 218lb motocross bike on a hitch motorcycle carrier. The runner hardly sags. 2" receiver should be able to haul at least 400lb tongue weight with no issues. Use your own judgement, but I vote for hitch carrier as being super easy and safe.

 

[Lineman]

Cheap trailer. Connect to your Hitch.

 

[the great him]

why is using your trailer out of the question? buying a second trailer that is a smaller utility trailer say like a 4x8 or so will be tons cheaper than another vehicle and you wont have to insure the trailer or put gas in it...

 

[87YOTA]

why is using your trailer out of the question? buying a second trailer that is a smaller utility trailer say like a 4x8 or so will be tons cheaper than another vehicle and you wont have to insure the trailer or put gas in it...

some of the roads i travel dont get cleared right away, and the trailer sliding around was my main concern also where i keep my trailer doesn't usually get cleared right away, the trailer i have is a 6x8 or 6 x10 i cant remember exactly. I've never driven with a trailer in the snow as I've always had a pickup . Has anyone done this?

 

[aha2988]

Pulling a trailer in the snow doesn't make it any more dangerous to be on the slick terrain that it would without the trailer. If your truck is getting traction the trailer will to. Just be sure to apply breaks way sooner than normal and take turns carefully as you would without the trailer. also be careful not to back the trailer into any snow drifts as it will become an anchor to your truck lol.

however if the blower will fit on a trailer hitch rack I'd go that route you can cover the blower with a tarp or cover to protect it from the road elements. and not have to worry about transporting a trailer.

 

[rebelbowtie]

I've never driven in snow but I have lots of experience pulling trailers and I wouldn't want to pull a trailer in the snow/ice without a brake controller. I could see too heavy braking could cause the trailer to slide around the truck or even push the truck.

But like I said I've never driven in snow...

 

[aha2988]

If the OP were talking about pulling a 5k trailer then yeah it could push a little in the snow, but considering the trailer and his blower weigh less than half the truck does I believe the 4runners gonna own that trailer in any condition. I've had to pull many trailers through snow and icy conditions the worst thing i've dealt with is a trailer wanting to slide around an catch my driver side durring a turn I gave it some gas held the trailer a little side ways an got it back straight at the end of the on ramp That was a 15k trailer on a 8k truck an that wasn't fun but manageable

 

[I_bRAD]

I would go with the trailer too.

Maybe check on some snowmobiling forums and get their advice on the matter- similar weight, similar conditions!

 

[Stick Figure]

<img src="http://www.mostdesigns.com/zgallery/albums/Personal%20Vehicles/Supra/IMAG1015.jpg" width="600" height="400">

<img src="http://www.mostdesigns.com/zgallery/albums/Personal%20Vehicles/Supra/IMAG1014.jpg" width="600" height="400">

That is far from the deepest snow we were in on that trip or others. We've had smaller trailers with out trailer brakes as well. Never felt a need to even bit a bit nervous.

Wyoming being the worst ... no snow plows touch anything other than the interstate and the wind and ice on the interstate is pretty bad. Somewhere I have some good video of that!


In other words a little snow blower on a trailer will just fine.

 

[MX4R]

Trailer is more of a headache than anything. Definitely more of a handful in the snow. I pull plenty of trailers all winter at work, not fun, manageable yes, but by no means ideal.

Things I have learned over the years with trailers and winter. If it is outside it will also get covered in snow and ice, so have fun clearing. Your jack leg will get frozen to the ground unless you make sure you take this in to account when you disconnect it. Your light plug will also get the snow and ice, so cover it up. A ball hitch doesn't like ice or frozen snow, we (and most of the construction industry) use only pintles for this reason. It will always be just that extra bit of weight that wants to keep you from the crest of the hill. Get stuck on a hill with a trailer in the snow and have to back down, good luck, I have lost a few bumpers on the work trucks like this.

Others may say not that bad. For just a snow blowers, get the carrier. A trailer is just not needed, nor the easiest route. Like I said, I pull trailers every day all winter, 2k to 15k. If I didn't have to, I wouldn't.

 

[87YOTA]

anyone ever used something like this? Ultra-Tow Aluminum Cargo Carrier with Ramp | Receiver Hitch Cargo Carriers| Northern Tool + Equipment