Should I add weight to bed?

I stopped using sandbags years ago. I found they just made stopping more difficult. Instead I get good snow tires, they make all the difference.

 

x2. I do this every year. I've found that the back of my truck is a little light so the added weight is a help on slick roads. This year I have BFG All-Terrain T/A's so I'm looking forward to playing in the snow even more now

 

I am excited it being my first winter in this truck. I hope we get a ton of snow i cant wait to pass these people in iowa who drive mustang convertibles in winter

 

Actually right over the axle is the place the weight should go. Way out back it makes the rear of the truck like a pendulum and it will swing wide on a curve. A guaranteed easy way to swap ends super fast on icy roads.

 

You're right, it would make the rear end swing out more, but then again, I don't drive super fast, especially in icy conditions.

 

Is there any way to convince my girlfriend that a sub and sub box is more a necessity than a luxury for the extra weight for better traction

 

I've had mine for three years and taken it in and out a couple times and so far no leaks.
The most important thing when driving in snow and ice is common sense. Allow yourself more time for stopping. Drive slower... that kind of stuff. Sounds pretty simple but a lot of people forget and end up in the ditch.

 

Absolutely. Get her one of these and she migh even pitch in on the amp: http://www.ohmibod.com/wireless-vibrators/

BTW, I have no affiliation with this product... but now my girlfriend is really into live DJs.....

 

Yup, right over the axle.

Take it to a DOT truck scale when they are closed. weigh the front and back separately, and see what your percentages are. On a 99 taco SR5 with 300lbs in the bed makes it about 60/40, versus 75/25 without the weight. still want a slight weight advantage up front for steering.

 

How many lbs. of sand should i use to get optimal traction? 300lbs.? 200lbs.? I am sure it comes down to personal preferance, but i am just curious what is max amount can you put without having adverse effects i.e. steering prob , stopping probs

 

2 x 60 lbs bags directly over the axle are virtually unnoticeable but add a lot to traction for me. I notice it clearly pulling away on wet pavement, I can put more throttle in it before the wheels begin to spin, and the rear end stays planted and doesn't want to swap ends.

I think 200 lbs is about max. Anything more and the added weight starts to affect stopping distance too much. Also, it adds mass to accelerate and that hits gas mileage...you will feel it too.

Oh yeah, there's another major advantage of carrying bags of sand: break open the bag and dump some on ice or packed snow and you get instant traction!

 

i dont put weight in the back, i know how to drive in the snow.

but i know people who do

one difference i have seen is using cat litter instead of sand.

being if you do get stuck, you can use the litter for traction on the ground

and have a better chance of getting free.

 

Cool idea, thanks.

 

dont worry i give her a heavy jacket to wear

 

I didn't use anything last year and never had a problem. I don't expect anything to change this winter.

 

I've got a set of steel tractor weights in the bed. 3 @ 90 lbs/ea. I might cut back to 2 this year now that the Dunlops are finally off the truck and I've got some real tires for the snow... I keep them pressed to the front of the bed (I've got the short bed). More important to turn and stop than accelerate.

 

Our Home Depot has pallets of the 60lb tube sand bags for $4 ea.
Last year I didn't use any, but in the past use two bags over the axle locked down by a couple load bars under the tonneau.
Thanks for the reminder, its time to swap to the studded winter tires.

 

I tried both last year and for me, the Taco handled better without anything in the back.

 

Start with good snow tires, not OEM tires. Studded snow tires are even better. I don't generally add weight in the back, but it does help if you do. Above all, NEVER use something-- like cement blocks -- that wouldn't want to hit you in the back of the head in a front end collision.

 

If you do go off the road make sure to duck .