Any tips for slowing on icy roads?

Crazy, I've locked up trailer brakes a hundred times to straighten out a jacknifing trailer (not 18 wheeler sized). Application of the trailer valve is no different than the foot valve, except you don't use it as much. But you can definitely feather application pressure the same.

Can someone explain how locking up trailer brakes (on ice) alone causes issues? The brakes are at the back, won't cause a jackknife, shouldn't cause any driveability issues.

 

The trailer is going to step out. Mind you this isn't issue it was pre-abs, but it's still there. The cycle times are long enough that the trailer will get out of line. And that's not a problem unless the truck also needs slow down.

Once the truck starts to slow, it's going to push backwards on the kingpin, which will want to rotate the trailer further out of line, as the trailer's center of gravity is now substantially off to the side. And the further the trailer swings out, the more the force on the kingpin wants to rotate the trailer. It's just not worth the risk, when the combination can be handled just fine without using the Johnny bar. It's just a bad habit to get into.

 

In that case maybe a bag of kitty litter would work?
Toss a little on the ground to get rolling

 

Kitty litter just turned to mud when the drives churned it up. I have since bought some ice melt stuff.

 

Never thought about the ABS. My trailer is new, and obviously ABS equipped, but my truck is 30 years old. So no power to the ABS feed for my trailer.

 

Our yard gets icy in the winter. When I have to swap trailers and can't get under it I just lay a chain out on the ground. Usually 1 is good enough to get hooked up

 

Great idea, thanks. I wouldn't have thought of doing that I imagined the spinning drive would just shoot the chain out, but I guess it just digs into the ground and gives good traction?.

 

9 out of 10 times it works perfectly. Power divider locked and just idle right back.

 

This is one or two inches solid ice coming down I-17. You crawl. I'd say no less than two dozen big trucks spun out fender bender crashed like it was for free.



This is freezing rain in Missouri. DPS lost it and nar hit me lol. You park. Park or crawl are the only options if you want to stay in this game.



This is just another day in Oregon. Snow up to the mirrors or better. You chain up, try and hide your pasta salad from the cat, and go about your business. Top speed about 25mph.