Sliders substituting for winter weight??

I will soon be installing my SOS sliders with the detachable steps once I get them back from the powdercoaters. They are a heavy set. My question is: although they sit forward of the rear axle, will it still be necessary to add bed weight over the rear axle to assist with traction when winter arrives, or will there be enough weight distributed over a greater area to avoid having to add additional weight?

 

No-one here can tell how much or if any additional weight is needed as we don't know the specific road conditions in which you will be driving. Just play it by ear and add more weight if you think it necessary. Personally, I prefer not to add useless weight like sandbags but rather things like hi-lift jacks, shovels and other equipment. A topper too will give you a bit more traction and is a useful addition.

 

I drive in the winter with no weight in the bed without issues.

 

4wd and I never used weight. I have Shrockwork sliders and really don't think they helped that much.
In 2wd you wouldn't get through most of the roads here in winter time and would have trouble even with added weight.

 

While adding weight to the vehicle is a common practice to achieve starting traction I would remind you that it also causes stopping problems because of inertia. The more weight the harder it is to stop so while you might gain some ability to start moving you lose proportionally in stopping ability regardless where the weight is placed.

Also keep in mind the rule of thumb is that you lose a 1 to 2 percent mpg for every 100 pounds of added weight.

In my opinion the best way to gain all the way around is a good set of winter tires, not added weight to the truck. Click the link and watch the short video on how tires are the best and safest answer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYEMH10Z4s

 

Thank you for the replies, but I wasn't interested in adding the sliders for the sake of adding weight, but more to use the steps included with the sliders. Just wondering, though, if I could avoid adding additional weight later once winter sets in.

 

they wont be heavy enough to make a substantial difference. if you needed to add weight prior, you will more than likely still need to add weight after.

 

I have six Home Depot buckets full of sand that I use. No way your sliders are that heavy.

 

My original set of tires - when they got older and thinner (tread), I would lower my tires pressure a few lbs and add sandbags.

When I got new tires .....I haven't had to do anything and haven't had issues.

I'm sure, when these tires get old and thin, I'll need a little help.

 

In Dallas we get ice...and Ebola. The sand helps with the ice.

 

Never needed weight in NY. That little 4 wheel drive switch is all I ever needed.

 

I have 4wd now, but I started with 2wd. Sand is good if you get stuck too. Been stuck in the driveway with the 2wd.

 

Same here. No weight.

 

Weight in the bed helps for sure , pretty hard to argue that with a pickup

 

this..

hell, i have weight in the bed now.. for when it rains. these rear ends are definitely light. that plus im breaking in the new leaf pack

 

Agree with your statement Pete if you are adding weight strickly for lower speed traction....inversely, adding weight increases stopping distances exponentionally on wet,or frozen surfaces..increasing the vehicles Mass increases its Energy, thus its Force equalling stopping distance.
Energy=Force X Distance (E=F x d).
There is a fine line of how much weight added is beneficial.

 

You would be better off getting rid of ABS rather than worrying about adding a passenger's weight equivalent to the bed for snow and ice

Do you refuse to take passengers if it's snowing ? Lol

 

Not at all.....so long they lay still in the bed.......

 

Larger the better

 

You can avoid adding weight by using 4WD whenever you anticipate things getting slippery. .