Weight for flatbed in snow
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Skyway, WA
Weight for flatbed in snow
I took the 8' bed off my 79 F 150 4x4 in order to have access to my fuel tanks and expedite body work to the bed. Now I want to be able to drive my truck to the ski areas, so I have built a temporary flatbed out of 2x4s, plywood and some 2X6 side rails.
I found driving it around town in rainy conditions that the truck was prone to spinning tires and fishtailing on steeper hills. I've purchased some brand new snow rated tires to help, but I figure I need to put some weight over the rear axle similar to what I've had to do when trying to drive my 2wd truck in the snow.
In the past I'd purchased sacks/tubes of sand. Any other ideas of what I might weight my box with? Also, I'm not familiar with what will happen if the rear is light when I try to use 4 wheel drive?
I found driving it around town in rainy conditions that the truck was prone to spinning tires and fishtailing on steeper hills. I've purchased some brand new snow rated tires to help, but I figure I need to put some weight over the rear axle similar to what I've had to do when trying to drive my 2wd truck in the snow.
In the past I'd purchased sacks/tubes of sand. Any other ideas of what I might weight my box with? Also, I'm not familiar with what will happen if the rear is light when I try to use 4 wheel drive?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
X2 on some firewood, or a old junk 350 long block, there are a lot of those laying around. Or take a old tire, wood screw some plywood to one side, flip it over and fill it with cement.
A frontend loader of 2" clean gravel, make sure you have a tail board on. Just do not make is more than the flat bed can handle. And strap if possible what ever you put on it.
Sudden stoppage can cause the heavy stuff to load shift into the back of the cab, or back glass, if its a bad one.
A frontend loader of 2" clean gravel, make sure you have a tail board on. Just do not make is more than the flat bed can handle. And strap if possible what ever you put on it.
Sudden stoppage can cause the heavy stuff to load shift into the back of the cab, or back glass, if its a bad one.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
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Whatever you pick, strap it down well especially if it is something heavy and hard. You don't want it in the cab in case of front impact.
Last time I needed ballast I bought some bagged gravel at the home improvement store that I was going to need in the spring anyhow. As far as 4 WD with a light rear, it will work fine. It helps prevent early rear brake lockup. Still can get tail happy with power on a turn though. The ballast helps.
Last time I needed ballast I bought some bagged gravel at the home improvement store that I was going to need in the spring anyhow. As far as 4 WD with a light rear, it will work fine. It helps prevent early rear brake lockup. Still can get tail happy with power on a turn though. The ballast helps.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: CT
RR beams cut to 4' a few of those work well, don't take up much space and are handy all year round.
I've got a 460 in the bed of mine, I picked it up Friday and haven't had the change to put it in the garage, its working great for weight, in the Fall it will be better in the engine compartment.
I've got a 460 in the bed of mine, I picked it up Friday and haven't had the change to put it in the garage, its working great for weight, in the Fall it will be better in the engine compartment.
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