Weight in truck

I just put tsome concrete patio stones in the back of my truck for weight in the winter season. I am just concerned that maybe I put too much weight in the box? Is this a concern?

 

well, how much weight?

 

I am not exactly sure how much weight there is. There are two 12" x 12" patio stones, 1 concrete block (14" x 8" x 3"), 4 bricks (10" x 2" x 4")

 

Do you have them in anything or just loose in the back? When I had a Tacoma I used to run 120 pounds in sand bags and it was fine.

 

I'd much rather see you throw a bag of sand in the bed. You could through it under the tires for traction if you or someone else is stuck, and I wouldn't want a bunch of blocks as projectiles in back in an accident.

 

You don't need squat in the back. You have a 4x4. (but you haven't stated the year in your details)

With the shit weather that you have in Ottawa, you'll probably be in 4x4 most of the time this winter.

 

*throw

This is the way to go.

 

Yeah the mishmash of stuff concerns me too, both because they move and takes more time to remove if needed.

 

Man take those projectiles out of there and go grab some bags of sand from Home Depot. I've been to accident scenes where that kind of shit has gone through the back window then through the windshield.

And yes... weight in the back improves traction. Some people will say you don't need it if you have 4wd. If it improves your traction, why not do it. I'd rather have lots of traction in winter than 'probably enough'

 

weight in bed discussions are starting to become longbed vs short bed discussions, and i keep getting pulled in. Weight in bed is a specialty thing, not all environments warrant it, some can benefit. In hilly areas, it can help.

Either way, switch to some sand or something similar like others have said.

 

I use 4 sand bags from Home Depot. 2 on each side of wheel well. Works fine.
Don't forget good winter tires.

 

I use these: http://www.puzzleweights.com/

If you get stuck, you can pop a plug, and pour the sand in front of your tire for traction.

 

just shovel some snow in the bed

 

What I do at the start of each winter is put sand bags in my bed (this year it's 250lbs.) because, unless we get a significant snow storm which completely covers the asphalt, I'm driving from snow/ice onto asphalt. This is usually adequate to carry me through the winter and, as has been noted, if I need the sand for traction, it's there. In rare cases, I'll switch the 4x4 on and then turn it off when not needed. I consider myself covered for all needs.