Weight for traction?

well, in my last truck, when I used to live in Kansas during the winter, I used to put 3 20 lb. sandbags in the bed. One in the front closest to the cab, and then two right bedhind the wheel wells on each side closest to the tailgate. That's what I did. It's cheap, and it worked for me. Don't know if that's what your looking for, but thats my .02.

i use the magic traction switch.

-Mike

I agree sand is great. Before I had a 4WD, I would put it in the back of the bed, near the tailgate. 100 pounds worked fine for me. And if you ever get into a situation where you're stuck, you have the sand to put out on the ground in front of your wheels.

Hope this helps.

I used 5 cement blocks held in place between the wheel wells with some scrap wood.

Do not put any weight past your rear axle. That will help with traction but could cause big handling and control problems.

Obviously, putting the weight furthest back puts more of that weight on the rear wheels. So, for two wheel drive, that is the way to go. I was amazed that on my old Nissan pickup, which had very poor traction, what a difference 100 lbs made. Without weight I could not move in the snow whatsoever. Not kidding, I couldn't even move on level ground! But with a sand bag or two, away I went.

Putting the weight directly over the rear wheels helps the most. Putting it further back doesn't help the rear any more and it is like taking weight off of the front.
If the rear starts to slide having weight near the tailgate will help the rearend come around quicker, not exactly what you want to happen.

As long as you keep your gas tank over 1/2 full, you should have plenty of weight.
If you want, throw a few sandbags in the back. Id suggest putting them directly over the rear tires.

Have you guys ever heard the term "leverage"?

Walters said:

Have you guys ever heard the term "leverage"?

Click to expand...

In what regard?

none...if i can drive a vette in the snow, i can drive a truck..or at least thats the plan. will find out tommorrow, as we are getting four to six tonight

I just drove through about 4" of snow (it's still snowing), down a pretty hilly, curvy driveway, and the 4WD worked amazing. It was a piece of cake. I put it in 2WD just to see the difference, and boy am I glad I got a 4x4! It's like a totally different truck in 4WD. And not to mention that I have the Sport TRD which basically has street tires )Dueler H/Ts). If I had some good snow tires on this thing it would climb up the walls.

There were Mustangs and Camaros getting stuck all over the place. I just motored on by 'em. I love havin' a truck.

I feel a lot more at ease about the winter weather now.

100lbs is 100lbs. Put it on the tail gate there will be 100lbs more pushing down on the springs put it on the passengers seat there will be 100lbs more pushing down on the springs. The only difference it makes is the distribution of the weight the further back you put it the more weight that will be handled by the rear wheels.

I'd say anywhere in the bed is fine, with directly over the axel being optimum.

Leverage has nothing to do with it no matter where you put that 100lbs it's still going to be 100lbs

Mike

mikeg281 said:

Leverage has nothing to do with it no matter where you put that 100lbs it's still going to be 100lbs

Click to expand...

I'm no rocket scientist, but 100 pounds over the axle vs 100 pounds next to the tailgate seems like it would make a difference. It would move your center of balance rearward. Like someone stated before, with your center of balance moved back, it seems that it would make the ass of your truck more prone to whipping around easier/ faster. And the more weight you put next to the tailgate, it'd seem you'd get more of an "ass whipping" (at least compared to putting an equivilant amount of weight over the rear wheels). Am I totally off in this logic?

If someone here has a degree in physics, please enlighten me. :whatthe:

Id put weight directly over the rear wheels to center the weight over those wheels.
They tell you that any time you haul a load that you should try to center it over the rear wheels to balance the load.

had to run over to the store....only drove maybe 2 miles, but had no major problems...

then again, i do know how to drive a rear wheel vehicle in inclement wheather

I bought 240 pounds worth of tube sand at the local Agway for $20 today...sounds like I bought a little too much! Nonetheless, should help I think.

I throw 4 40lb bags of top soil or manure in the back. Next spring I'll use it in the yard. Not sure what I'd do with the sand.

I've thought that it might be worth it to get four 5gal buckets with lids which would make it much easier to take in and out.

TL

Sounds like you bought four (4) bags of the quikrete tube sand I bought 3 bags on the way up to Lake Tahoe a week ago and those did the job just fine. Put them directly over the rear axle between the wheel wells.

rocket21 said:

I bought 240 pounds worth of tube sand at the local Agway for $20 today...sounds like I bought a little too much! Nonetheless, should help I think.

Click to expand...

tsl90 said:

I throw 4 40lb bags of top soil or manure in the back. Next spring I'll use it in the yard. Not sure what I'd do with the sand.

I've thought that it might be worth it to get four 5gal buckets with lids which would make it much easier to take in and out.

TL

Click to expand...

5 gallon buckets work nicely...thats what I do and a little extra weight with bags or a 1' square of concrete I have