Winter Weight

210 lbs back against the tailgate is what I calculated to get a 50/50 weight distribution.

Assuming 4,525 lbs curb weight with 56/44% weight distribution (DCSB, according to Motor Trend).
4525x0.56=2,534 on front axle
4525x0.44=2,081 on rear axle

2534x33=83622 front axle moment
2081x160=332960 rear axle moment

83622+332960=416582 total moment
416582/4525=92.06 C of G




If we want the C.G. centered between the two axles it needs to be at 96.5"
So with a 175 lbs driver at 87" and a weight (W) at 200":
(416582+(175x87)+(200xW))/(4525+175+W)=96.5
(431807+200W)/(4700+W)=96.5
431807+200W=453550+96.5W
103.5W=21743
W=210.08 lbs



Disclaimer: The distance measurements are estimates scaled off of a photograph, take that for what you will.

 

Or 342 lbs if you put it over the axle

 

During winter (A lot of snow here) I carry 6 bags (60 lbs each) of tube sand. 3 on each rear corner of the bed. Works very well and doesn't take up too much room. Plus the extra 200 lbs of the shell. That'll get through even that sloppy slurpee stuff just fine.

 

No sandbags, but I do have a topper so I’m sure that helps. Once I switch to my winter tires I typically leave my truck in 4wd full time until about April when we start seeing some asphalt again. If snow is truly a concern I would get some dedicated winter tires.

 

With my '06 TRD OR AC manual, I had a Leer shell. My current '21 TRD OR AC auto also has a Leer 180 cap. I also have a set of (4) steelies with REAL snow tires. Recent Winters here in CT have been really wimpy so switching over to the snows hasn't been worth the effort. Definitely switch over to 4WD on snow-covered roads when a bit more control is needed. With an auto trans I've learned to pop it into neutral if a quick (as possible) stop is needed. See below for more.

Absolutely! I've found that REAL snows are better than alleged snows with studs. Rubber composition is everything for good grip on snow or ice.

Tried these one season. The weight is good, BUT you may find that the sand gets wet and then freezes into a solid block making the sand useless.

A consequence of over-confidence. 4WD may help you get moving better than 2WD, but it can be of minimal advantage when one absolutely has to stop.

 

I poured concrete in a few 5 gallon buckets. I fix two or three of them directly above the axle when inclement weather hits. Bonus they are reusable.

 

I just text this guy and see if he has plans for the day

 

Don't need anything in 4x4 taco, it very capable, I live in north east ct and have never had any issues with snow, even when I was using the stock almost bald toyo HT tires that come on sr5s.

 

Concrete blocks and wood are great as long as they’re strapped down securely. I went to an accident once where a guy had concrete pavers in the back of his truck for weight and one of them came through the back window when he crashed (he was ok)

Sandbags or bags of road salt get my vote. You can slice open the bags and use the sand or salt for traction if you get stuck on ice too.
Never felt I needed, or wished I had extra weight in a 4WD truck though....

 

Here in Nowhere WA., the first couple of snowfalls are very entertaining.... Don't hardly see any slide-offs of 4x4 trucks. But the ones you do see, almost always have CA. plates.

 

2 x 2'x2'x2" concrete tiles
1 x 3'x2'x2" concrete tile
6 x 40lb sand bags
tool box ~400lbs, aftermarket front (+winch), rear bumpers and full skids

all but the sandbags went in today before heading out for a month long job

keep the weight over the axles as much as you can

4x4 Dakar HD with airbags, siped Duratracs in central BC

Drive accordingly



Sandbags will go under the toolbox between the wheel wells, tire chain are in the sack beside the toolbox.

 

5 years with my truck, I have never added extra weight or felt I needed to in winter. I run dedicated winter tires ( Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV's ) and traction control is very effective. We have had some pretty good winters the last few years. Lots of snow and ice. The truck has handled everything I have thrown at it.

 

I had 300 pounds in the bed of my pro this afternoon and realized what a way better ride it had. Even lessened the 30-10 mph driveline deceleration vibration I have. I thought to myself " I should carry 300 pounds around all the time"

 

Way to science the sh*t out of it!

 

Leave the bed uncovered. It will fill with snow proportional to the amount you get. When it warms up the snow melts. Automatically adjusting bed weight.

 

This presupposes you park outside and not in a garage. Otherwise, wet garage.

 

I don’t think the 4x4 trucks need it. Also I think it is better to have the weight bias towards the front. On a highway during rain, snow and slush the rear tires ride though the trail made by the front tires. Placing weight up against the tailgate removes weight from the front tires which in my opinion increases the chance of the front tires hydroplaning/breaking traction.

 

Tires are where it's at. Cheap steelies off of CL and some Firestone WinterForce snow tires with the LSD turned on make a huge difference. No issues for my PreRunner.

I never did weight. Frozen sand bags can cause a lot of damage if they break loose

 

Adding weigh in the bed is something I've only heard from people 70 and up and read on the internet.

So, no. I do run winter tire, and i stay in 2x4 most of the time (with traction control off).

 

I just drive my truck
Spent first 9 years on used AT20’s that the guys threw in the tire pile.
So I don’t have ready access to tire machines anymore, I broke down and bought new tires.
First new set.