How much weight are you putting in bed for snow

None. These trucks are great in the snow as-is. I bought my Access Cab TRD Sport in the middle of a massive blizzard and drove it 40 miles to work with zero issues or complaints... Last year I upgraded to a Double Cab TRD Off Road that is even better in the snow due to the extra weight of the double cab.

 

Whatever you do don't put SALT
For FREAKS Sakes!!!!!

you want your box to RUST away

 

Well don't I feel ignorant for responding to a thread with snow in the title. And, thank you for addressing snow in all caps as, I may of read it differently.

 

OP most of the population agrees that additional weight over drive wheels improves traction significantly. I've owned RWD cars and trucks and I am a firm believer. As for the argument that a heavier vehicle is harder to stop? Sure. However, the extra weight gives you more traction so that counters the additional weight. If the weight is too far back and not over the drive wheels, it will be harder to correct if the rear spins out sideways on you.

You can't go wrong with 200#'s to start. If you find your tires suck and you're on lots of slick roads and you want more traction, add more weight. The more you put in the better your traction will be. Any little bit helps so just adjust until you get the results you want.

My father's 1 tonne diesel has the same size tires as my tacoma. His traction on slick highways is sooooo much better than mine. Could I stop faster than him? Maybe. I doubt it though. His tires bite down and get traction a lot more than mine do because there is more weight pushing them down.

 

I was driving highways today with a foot of snow . The road crews take their sweet time up in the bush where I live .
4-Good year Ultra Ice WRT tires with studs and 5 bags of wood pellets over the rear axle.
Still had to use 4x4 a couple times where the snow had drifted .

 

Had my 1st experience with my DCSB and brand new AT tires in the snow a couple of days ago. Didn't have any sliding/gripping issues at all. I drove a little slower than normal and gave myself more stopping distance - just snow basics. I'm thinking responsible winter driving + 4WD is enough, no extra weight required.

 

The bed is basically fiberglass. It can't rust. Now, if it seeps out to the tailgate and starts dripping for example you have a different story.

 

Composite rusts , who knew

 

Better pile it pretty high it's about 10# per cubic foot.

 

Maybe some sand, doubt I'll need that.

 

I recommend 2 80lb bags of rock salt (as opposed to sand) that way if you find yourself stuck somewhere you can pour the salt out and help get unstuck. Just a suggestion.

 

This

 

Welp, in a five foot bed thats roughly four feet wide, you'd have to pile it a foot high to get 20 cubic feet for 200 pounds.

 

Unless you are talking about a first gen, this isn't the case with the 2nd gens. However, with a metal bed you can always use sand bags.

 

Depends on moisture content no ?

 

A fiberglass cap really helps. One forgets how light the ass end of a pickup really is without weight. Put on a cap and the ride is like night and day. More SUV like if that's your thing.

 

I keep four 70# bags (sand) just for that purpose, 2 go over the axels & 2 in front (towards the cab) of the axels, been doing this for years, in many different trucks, In my opinion the Tacoma handles better with the added weight, only take it out in the summer due to better mileage, mine is 4 wheel drive with the updated suspension (if that makes a difference) If you live in a heavy snow area you know what I am talking about. jmop

 

Enough to flatten the springs and lay the frame on the axle. Or 4X70# tubes of sand. Which ever is lighter

 

The extra weight of the double cab helped you then.

Added weight will definitely help with traction and starting no matter 4x2 or 4x4, but especially in two wheel drive. Keep the weight centered over the axle. Don't let it move around. 200lbs of weight sliding in the bed on a corner will upset the vehicle in slippery conditions.

In 4x4 you might have better cornering with weight than in 4x2 with no weight. Stopping distance will increase with weight, but 200lbs isn't going to make a whole lot of difference in stopping distance compared to the traction it offers.

Studded snows will help help no matter the drive mode. Chains on the rear will be even more effective than four studded snows. A two wheel drive truck with chains and decent tires can out perform a four wheel drive truck with dedicated snow tires in deep snow.

 

Say wut?