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How much "Winter Weight" do you put on?

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Old Nov 22, 2015 | 02:24 PM
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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
 
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Old Nov 22, 2015 | 02:40 PM
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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
 
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Old Nov 22, 2015 | 02:42 PM
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Usually 600lb over the rear axle. I have used sand tubes and bags of concrete before. Might try to find something cleaner for this year. (easier to clean up and remove in the spring)
 
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Old Nov 22, 2015 | 04:20 PM
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I park the 93 in the winter, because being an open-diff dually, it's useless in the snow.

And I don't add anything to the 97 because she can go anywhere in 4x4
 
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Old Nov 22, 2015 | 09:32 PM
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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.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2015 | 03:39 AM
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Just what ever show ends up in the bed
 
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Old Nov 23, 2015 | 06:40 AM
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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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Old Nov 23, 2015 | 06:43 AM
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A 1" thick 4x8 road plate that lays flat on the floor and take up no space

Weighs 1300lbs
 
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Old Nov 23, 2015 | 06:55 AM
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whatever snow falls in the bed. i hang a 8.5 ft plow up front, and 99% of the time plow in 2 wheel drive with hubs locked.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2015 | 07:07 AM
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Originally Posted by tjc transport
whatever snow falls in the bed. i hang a 8.5 ft plow up front, and 99% of the time plow in 2 wheel drive with hubs locked.
Is it mostly flat ground where you are to able to plow in 2wd?
Whenever we plow up here, you have to have 4x4, or you're not plowing anything. There are just too many steep hills.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2015 | 07:45 AM
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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
 
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Old Nov 23, 2015 | 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Diesel_Brad
A 1" thick 4x8 road plate that lays flat on the floor and take up no space

Weighs 1300lbs
same here, use a 3/4 inch thick plate that is cutout to fit in the bed, like a bed mat is cut so that the fender wells catch it and keep it in place. i like that it covers the whole bed as it transfers some weight to the front tires as well, really helps with steering in the snow slush stuff we have. i know it weighs over 1000 pounds as it puts the old girl on the bottom overloads but not sure on exact weight.

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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Old Nov 23, 2015 | 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by tjc transport
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
Okay, Thanks. I was just curious

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.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2015 | 10:33 AM
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i throw on around 4 to 6 tractor weights because we take them off the tractor and put the plow on it. each weight I think is around 100 pounds if I remember right.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2015 | 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by coyboy
i throw on around 4 to 6 tractor weights because we take them off the tractor and put the plow on it. each weight I think is around 100 pounds if I remember right.
Same here - I use tractor weights too. They are already here and handy.
 
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