Any weight for winter?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 77
From: Central Florida
Any weight for winter?
I never put extra weight in my F150's for winter and got along just fine. I live just outside the snow belt in NW Indiana. We do get a couple of heavy snows and a bunch of minor ones. We had a wet heavy snow a couple weeks ago & it seemed like the F250 might benefit from some extra weight. How much do you put in? Does it do anything?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
my 250 had 2,600 pounds on the rear empty.. and 3,400 on the fronts.. so YES...
I started doing this since my 1972 Kingswood wagon.... under the rear floor..... back in the mid 70's... rear wheel drive loves added weight for Snow driving.
old bar bell weights and bags of sand..
<<< mine is 2 wheel drive >>> no need for weight if 4x4... that is why 4x4 was made.
I started doing this since my 1972 Kingswood wagon.... under the rear floor..... back in the mid 70's... rear wheel drive loves added weight for Snow driving.
old bar bell weights and bags of sand..
<<< mine is 2 wheel drive >>> no need for weight if 4x4... that is why 4x4 was made.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,337
Likes: 346
From: Breckenridge, TX
I used to add weight to my Ranger, but never bothered with the 250 while I lived in Colorado, or in Lubbock (where it does actually snow some years).
I'm 4800 FGAW 3500 RGAW, just never really needed it. But Denver is not really a mountain town, snow isn't really that bad or frequent most years. Big dumpers that keep you in and light dustings that don't count, but not a lot of solid 6" snow days that make you have to get out and slog through the mess, and it doesn't ever hang around long.
On snow the tires make a bigger difference, just lock the trans in 3 and start slow. On ice I'm not sure I want to be able to go any faster that what I can start at without extra weight because then stopping becomes the main problem. That was what sucked in Lubbock, essentially no plows so the roads turned to skating rinks. Not like CO where with sun and 15*f the pavement dries up within a day.
I'm 4800 FGAW 3500 RGAW, just never really needed it. But Denver is not really a mountain town, snow isn't really that bad or frequent most years. Big dumpers that keep you in and light dustings that don't count, but not a lot of solid 6" snow days that make you have to get out and slog through the mess, and it doesn't ever hang around long.
On snow the tires make a bigger difference, just lock the trans in 3 and start slow. On ice I'm not sure I want to be able to go any faster that what I can start at without extra weight because then stopping becomes the main problem. That was what sucked in Lubbock, essentially no plows so the roads turned to skating rinks. Not like CO where with sun and 15*f the pavement dries up within a day.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 672
From: DeMotte, IN
No xtra weight
I live in DeMotte. I have never put extra weight in my 250 sb, cc. In fact, I keep the hubs locked in all winter, but rarely lock in the transfer case. Most of my driving is on I65. I do have a fiberglass cap on the 6.5 foot bed. Thanks. Joe
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
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From: Frederick, MD
I just lock the hubs in manually and engage the fronts if needed. I don't carry anything extra.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
In a pinch, if you hit bad ice, a handful of sand tossed under the tires and along the path will get you going and the people stuck in front of you.
In the spring, the sand is used to fill pot holes in the driveway.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 360
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
In my F-150 I used 3 iron stage counterweights that weighed 50lbs each over the rear axle. they didn't take up much space and were easy to handle. The F-250 weighs more, and does pretty well in snow when empty.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 397
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From: Nortern FL
When I lived in snow country I would throw an old no good short block from a 350 in the back of my 2wd F150 during snow season. But, I wouldn't think most people would have one of those just laying around.