I bought this to use in a Ram 1500 Express 4x2. I had just installed new Michelin LTX tires on this truck, but the rear end was breaking loose way too easily in any sort of snow event. I installed this with bungee straps per the directions. I was concerned about being able to drain it for removal and potential microbial growth, so I added 2 gallons of polypropylene RV antifreeze before filling. Then, I measured the flow rate on my outside hose per second and filled it to approximately 19 gallons to result in approximately 170 lbs of load. This lowered the rear of the truck about 3/4 of an inch measured at the tailgate.
The product appears to be well made. I had no issue extending or resetting the pop up fill collar. However, I also did this while the material was warm and pliable. I have not noticed any adverse effects in handling or drive-ability. In fact I think ride has improved greatly. My fuel economy did decrease slightly, but only by a couple of tenths. It's hard to speak accurately about economy though considering normal cold weather losses during the winter.
It was a month or so before any significant snow occurred to form a realistic opinion about traction improvement. I would have to say it is dramatically better. I was concerned about stopping with the added momentum and that was why I held the fill weight to the low side, but there has been no problem whatsoever. The bladder does slide under very hard breaking or acceleration, even on a sprayed in bed liner. There is no surge though and nothing that would even indicate this happened other than the sound.
I was skeptical of spending so much and do feel it's priced somewhat high ( I paid about 140), but I am very satisfied with the product and for what it does, I think its a brilliant solution. I also feel that its a safe alternative to unsecured weight that could come flying through the back window in a sudden stop. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it at the right price as it does exactly what it's supposed to do.
| Manufacturer | ShurTrax |
|---|---|
| Brand | Shurtrax |
| Model | All Weather Traction Aid |
| Item Weight | 8.51 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 18 x 3 x 15.5 inches |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | CLW0056 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | Yes |
| Manufacturer Part Number | LW0056 |
| OEM Part Number | CLW0056 |
