OT, studded tires on utility trailer with no brakes?

Hi, I need an opinion, and I value the opinion of the practical, common sense, folks here at YT. I'm going to haul a small utility trailer across Canada at Christmas time. The trailer has no brakes, and is light (less than 1000 pounds loaded).

Should I put studded tires on it?

Thanks,

Troy

I wouldn't think they'd be of any benefit. Studs are
for traction on the drive wheels.

(quoted from post at 06:32:09 12/02/14) Hi, I need an opinion, and I value the opinion of the practical, common sense, folks here at YT. I'm going to haul a small utility trailer across Canada at Christmas time. The trailer has no brakes, and is light (less than 1000 pounds loaded).

Should I put studded tires on it?

Thanks,

Troy

Click to expand...

I'd put a couple of loaded sand bags in the trailer(200 lbs or so)Studs will be OK as well.I don't know what the law is regarding studs in Canada though.I should know since I live not far from the U.S./Canada border.

Generally studs are legal across Canada.
Certain cities have laws against, however they
don't target vehicles from out of the area.
Really don't see the need for studded tires on
a trailer, agree with the adding weight, within
reason.

I'm really not sure what the benefit would be,especially with the added cost.

Yes studs are for traction would not need on a trailer. But should be tongue heavy to stop trailer from swaying.
Ypop

For what purpose? The trailer is going to follow the tow vehicle, regardless. If you're concerned about fishtailing, just make certain you have plenty of weight (>10%) on the tongue and you'll be fine.

No studs required. Unless they're free with the
tires you're putting on it, lol. And then, I'd still
pull them all out before hitting the road.

I would think studs could give some advantage in giving the wheels traction in certain conditions... but I doubt the trailer tires are fit to accept studs. Really, I wouldn't worry about it. Load as much weight on the tongue as it can carry and drive on.

Rod

It is not just about drive wheels. It's about
traction on anywheel for braking, going,
cornering, etc. I ran studs on all four wheels
on all my winter vehicles in NY.

With no brakes - the only thing the studs will
help is sliding when making a corner on an icy
road. Is that a concern?

I'd be more concerned about some of the areas
where studs are not allowed.

I used tire-chains or studs for years in NY. I
just found out that here in Michigan they are
basically illegal. So are tire-chains. I had to
read the small print in the state laws to
figure it out.

Michigan says studs are only allowed if
certified to not wear the road surface any more
then 25% of non-studded tires. Problem is -
none that I know of are certified.

And chains? Chains only allowed in Michigan if
they never touch the road surface.

The vehicle towing the trailer should have the studded tires. Studs are outlawed here in MD. Back in the late 1960's I installed a set of studs
in new snow tires. My wife was taking our daughter to school and picking her up and we had a lot of ice on the roads. The schools didn't close. She said that old Mercury had no problem
on ice and some cars were stuck on hills, so she just drove around them. When I was in school back in the 1940's and 50's school buses had tire chains. School didn't close. We had chains on the truck that hauled the milk and on the family car when it snowed.. Hal

The only vehicles allowed studs in MD are Post Office vehicles. Emergency vehicles may have them. Hal

There are still some roads in New York where studded tires or tire-chains are legally required during certain winter months.

USA Chain laws when chains are REQUIRED:

California - Required to be equipped with tire traction devices when entering a signed restricted area.
For more information, go to Caltrans’ Web site

Colorado - When the chain law is in effect, drivers will see signs along the roadway indicating which
vehicles should chain-up. In some areas of the state, lighted variable message signs will also alert drivers
of the chain-up information..Metal chains must consist of two circular metal loops, one on each side of
the tire, connected by not less than nine evenly spaced chains across the tread. Commercial vehicles
having four or more drive wheels must chain four wheels. Dual tire chains are acceptable. For more
information, go to CDOT’s Web site

Maryland - In case of declared snow emergency, chains will be required on certain designated
highways. Studded snow tires are not allowed on vehicles having a registered gross weight of more than
10,000 pounds.

Nevada - Requires operators of all vehicles of more than 10,000 pounds (GVW) to install chains when
chains or snow tire requirements are in effect. Vehicles over 10,000 pounds (GVW) are permitted in
chain control areas when equipped with chains or Automatic Traction Devices (MTD) on drive axles.
Studded snow tires are permitted between October 1 and April 30. For more information, go to NDOT’s
Web site

New York - Tire chains are required when a snow emergency has been declared. Cities and towns can also require chains on designated roads.

Oregon - Tire chains are required when conditions demand because of snow, ice or other inclement
weather and signs are posted. For more information, go to ODOT’s Web site

Pennsylvania - One set of chains or snow tires is required when vehicles are likely to encounter any
adverse weather conditions which may require chains. They must consist of not less than five cross
chains and must not project more than an inch on the outside surface of the wheel.

South Carolina - Vehicles likely to encounter conditions requiring chains must carry them and have
them ready for use.

Utah - Vehicles likely to encounter conditions requiring chains must carry sets for at least one driving
wheel on each side. Signs will designate when chains are required.

Washington - The chain requirements are effective when the department of transportation has posted
signs marked “chains required.” On certain routes sufficient tire chains must always be carried on the
vehicle from Nov 1 to Apr 1. The number of chains required varies, depending on the number of axles
and vehicle configuration. At least two extra chains must be carried on the vehicle

Canada chain laws where/when chains are required:

British Columbia - Vehicles in the mountains must be equipped with snow tires or chains from Nov 1
to Apr 30

Newfoundland - Required on drive wheels when there is snow or ice on the surface of the highway

Forget the studs and carry at least one spare tire for the trailer.

Maybe should take some tools and spare wheel bearings along too.

Hi Troy, no need for studded tires on your trailer. I use trailer's many times during the winter in all type's of road conditions. Good tread on your tires . Cheers, Murray in N.S.

And some roadside flares or triangles and maybe a small canopy & a little propane heater. Did we forget anything?

I am in the minority with Rod and JDemarais on this. Studs COULD be very valuable under certain conditions. We all expect a trailer to just follow the towing vehicle but we all know from watching the evening news in the winter that it is not always the case. The chances may be remote but under certain conditions the trailer, same as your towing vehicle, can break sideways traction, and then the tail will be wagging the dog. So in a situation where due to ice, you are fighting to regain control, the studs could literally be a life saver. I would say that it comes down to how much money you have available and what level of comfort in preparedness you desire.

(quoted from post at 05:55:36 12/03/14)
I am in the minority with Rod and JDemarais on this. Studs COULD be very valuable under certain conditions. We all expect a trailer to just follow the towing vehicle but we all know from watching the evening news in the winter that it is not always the case. The chances may be remote but under certain conditions the trailer, same as your towing vehicle, can break sideways traction, and then the tail will be wagging the dog. So in a situation where due to ice, you are fighting to regain control, the studs could literally be a life saver. I would say that it comes down to how much money you have available and what level of comfort in preparedness you desire.

Click to expand...

Correct.Also a good reason to put light truck tires on that will accept studs.

can't hurt, might help.
run them if you have them.
Either way, keep some hefty weight in the back of the tow vehicle.
Another Northerner here.
Many times I've had my little single axle trailer try to swing out
on frozen overpass curves, etc. (big trailer is more stable).
Truck usually pulls it back in line. Not a good feeling though.

Extreme example....Others coming downhill on the 'road' from hunting camp on ice in low, low, 4 wheel.
Small trailers would try to swing completely around the truck.
Saw it pull a little truck off the road.
A big truck kept crawling down the road with a trailer 90 degrees behind it.
Us older guys called in to work and waited a day or two before attempting that road