RAM Truck Cold-Weather Towing Tips

Our jobs, tasks, and favors can’t always wait for the weather. That’s why if you’re the proud owner of a RAM truck, regardless of which model you might have, you should be ready and willing to haul regardless of the conditions you find yourself or your load in. As we all know well by now, the weather can be extremely unpredictable here in Oklahoma. So you never know when you might’ve been expecting a mile 50-degree day but instead find yourself having your toughest haul of the season just as a cold front sweeps across the state.

 

If you’re not already prepared for any situation like this, we’re hoping you will be by the end of this blog as today we’re going to dive into some winter trailering tips for your RAM truck. We here at Jim Glover CDJRF want to help ensure both your truck and your trailer stay safe on the road. So, we’ve put together some tried-and-true methods for successful cold-weather towing to make sure you’re ready. 

When it comes to freezing conditions, your biggest challenge isn’t going to be moving the weight but rather stopping it.

• Winter-Rated Tires: Standard all-season tires harden in extreme cold. Look for tires with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. These are made from a softer rubber compound that remains pliable and grippy when the temperature drops below 45°F.
• Check PSI Frequently: For every 10-degree drop, your tires can lose roughly 1 PSI. Towing on underinflated tires increases heat buildup and reduces stability. Always check your truck and trailer tire pressure before driving while they’re still cold.
• Increase Following Distance: While this could technically fit into the driving tip section later in this blog, we wanted to include it here as friction is significantly reduced on icy or wet roads. So even with a high-end integrated trailer brake controller, your stopping distance can double or triple. When towing in winter conditions, increase your following distance even further than what feels comfortable. Try to shoot for 8–10 seconds behind the car in front of you.

As with any vehicle, cold temperatures can put immense strain on our RAM truck’s vital systems, and it will only get worse the colder it gets.

• Battery Health: Cold weather can reduce a battery's cranking power by up to 30–50%. Before a big haul, have our service team perform a load test.
• Winter-Grade Fluids: Use the manufacturer-recommended oil viscosity for winter. Thicker, old oil makes cold starts harder and puts stress on the engine during the high-demand task of towing. In addition, ensure your windshield washer fluid is rated for -20°F to prevent it from freezing on your windshield while moving.
• Trailer Brake Sync: Cold temperatures can cause moisture to freeze in brake components. Ensure your Integrated Trailer Brake Controller is properly calibrated. Test the trailer brakes at low speeds on a flat, non-slick surface before hitting the highway to ensure they aren't dragging or seizing.

While you can optimize your traction and prepare your truck and trailer as much as possible, it will still amount to nothing if you don’t back it up with solid driving strategies.

• Maintain Momentum: If you are approaching an incline on a snowy road, maintain a steady speed. Stopping on an icy hill while hauling a load makes it incredibly difficult to regain forward motion.
• No Cruise Control: Never use cruise control on icy or slushy roads. You need to be in total control of the throttle to feel if your wheels begin to slip.
• Don’t Brake While Swaying: If you feel your trailer start to sway or fishtail on a slick surface, do not slam on the brakes. Instead, take your foot off the gas and use the manual slider on your trailer brake controller to apply only the trailer brakes. This helps pull the trailer back into a straight line behind the truck.

Lastly, we just want to highlight some of the outstanding technological features found in many modern RAM pickup trucks that you should certainly utilize in these situations.

• Tow/Haul Mode: This outstanding feature isn’t just for hauling your heaviest loads, but for maximizing control when towing any load. The system adjusts transmission shift points to provide better engine braking, reducing the need to use your service brakes on slippery slopes.
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC): This system works alongside Trailer Sway Damping to apply individual brakes if it detects the trailer is out of alignment.
• Diesel Exhaust Brake: If you’re driving a RAM 2500 or 3500 with the Cummins Turbo Diesel, utilize the exhaust brake. It provides controlled slowing without the risk of heating up or locking your wheel brakes on mountain passes.

At Jim Glover CDJRF, we’re here to help you get your rig ready for whatever the Oklahoma winter throws your way. So, give us a call here at the desk if you have any questions, or if you’re ready to upgrade to a new RAM truck to maximize your effectiveness when hauling in cold weather.