How much "Winter Weight" do you put on?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: IN
How much "Winter Weight" do you put on?
About 5-7lb but that's not what I'm talking about.
I live in northern Indiana but I don't get near as much snow as some of you guys. Just curious how much and what you use for weight for winter traction.
My ol 96 is an 8600 GVWR F250 that gets a 7 1/2' Western plow hung on the front. So I add 59 8"X16"X1 1/2" patio block (826lb) plus my tool box and spare tire I have alittle over 900lb in the bed. Also since tires are a HUGE part of this I'm running four new Hankook DynaPro ATM's. Truck works super in the snow and actually rides a lot better.
Todd
I live in northern Indiana but I don't get near as much snow as some of you guys. Just curious how much and what you use for weight for winter traction.
My ol 96 is an 8600 GVWR F250 that gets a 7 1/2' Western plow hung on the front. So I add 59 8"X16"X1 1/2" patio block (826lb) plus my tool box and spare tire I have alittle over 900lb in the bed. Also since tires are a HUGE part of this I'm running four new Hankook DynaPro ATM's. Truck works super in the snow and actually rides a lot better.
Todd
New User
Joined: Dec 2012
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88 F150 4x4 with 1 ton 2x4 diesel springs in the front running a 8 foot fisher plow in southern NH never needed extra ballast last year. Downgraded to a 7 1/2 this year still shouldn't need any ballast.
Also its a 300 6 cyl with the mazda 5 speed and 3.08 gears
Also its a 300 6 cyl with the mazda 5 speed and 3.08 gears
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
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From: SW Florida
I add a cooler of beer and some firewood to take out to the lake on a date.
Helps the tires grip the brutally dry, non-snowy roads around here. Damn wintertime conditions are terrible around here. No really, they are! The roads might be dry but there's this invasive species that shows up every winter and kills the locals by causing wrecks and pileups, much like the snow does up north. I think they're called snowturds? Oh snowbirds, that's it.
Helps the tires grip the brutally dry, non-snowy roads around here. Damn wintertime conditions are terrible around here. No really, they are! The roads might be dry but there's this invasive species that shows up every winter and kills the locals by causing wrecks and pileups, much like the snow does up north. I think they're called snowturds? Oh snowbirds, that's it.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 856
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From: Livonia, MI
I used to put 2-500 lb steel blocks right over the axle, but now I only put one in there. I also welded together a rack and bolt it down now, instead of using ratchet straps. I have a '96 4X4 straight 6 so don't really know if I need the weight or not.
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Whenever we plow up here, you have to have 4x4, or you're not plowing anything. There are just too many steep hills.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
no, varied terrain.
i stay moving though, and do not stop on uphill runs. plus i keep the roads and lots clear so i do not try to push over 4-5 inches at any time.
i keep the hubs locked so if i need the help it is simply a matter of pulling the t-case into 4X4. but usually run in 2X4
i stay moving though, and do not stop on uphill runs. plus i keep the roads and lots clear so i do not try to push over 4-5 inches at any time.
i keep the hubs locked so if i need the help it is simply a matter of pulling the t-case into 4X4. but usually run in 2X4
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
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also have some old 31 by 10.50 M+S rated courser radials on the back and some courser at/2's on the front (one back tire wore out like crazy so i replaced both back tires)
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Joined: Sep 2012
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no, varied terrain.
i stay moving though, and do not stop on uphill runs. plus i keep the roads and lots clear so i do not try to push over 4-5 inches at any time.
i keep the hubs locked so if i need the help it is simply a matter of pulling the t-case into 4X4. but usually run in 2X4
i stay moving though, and do not stop on uphill runs. plus i keep the roads and lots clear so i do not try to push over 4-5 inches at any time.
i keep the hubs locked so if i need the help it is simply a matter of pulling the t-case into 4X4. but usually run in 2X4
We often just do driveways in between our usual construction jobs, so there is a lot of stop and go. And alot of times there has been over a foot of snow to push.
New User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 22
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From: Southern Illinois
Same here - I use tractor weights too. They are already here and handy.