Winter bed weight
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,554
Likes: 6
From: Mesick
Yep, I like to take off like there's no snow whatsoever and using 4wd is needed just to get moving. 500# in the bed eliminates the need to put it in 4wd.
Elder User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
However, if you're spinning out in 2wd on one inch of snow, there's more at play than a light rear end.
I've driven in Alaska my entire life. We get more snow here than most. I've never had an issue, and I'm certainly no professional driver. Any average driver ought to be able to manage.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 2
From: Oregon
Yes, they are.
However, if you're spinning out in 2wd on one inch of snow, there's more at play than a light rear end.
I've driven in Alaska my entire life. We get more snow here than most. I've never had an issue, and I'm certainly no professional driver. Any average driver ought to be able to manage.
However, if you're spinning out in 2wd on one inch of snow, there's more at play than a light rear end.
I've driven in Alaska my entire life. We get more snow here than most. I've never had an issue, and I'm certainly no professional driver. Any average driver ought to be able to manage.
I never had snow tires because it was cold and the ice was tacky.
However, I got stuck just driving in a couple of inches of snow, in a residential parking lot.
Same situation, not enough weight over the rear axles.
Pickups and station wagons used to get stuck on my grass because it was slippery.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
I don't have any weight in my F150, but I have eight 70-lb bags of sand in the back of my Transit. Makes a noticeable difference in handling, and for $30 it's well worth it. We could manage without the weight, but why would we want to?
No noticeable squat with all the weight, this thing reminds me of my old Super Duty.
Elder User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
I've driven trucks my whole life in winter without extra bed weight, and never had issues. It's not some mythical skill only a chosen few possess.
I've seen lots of people with studs on their 4x4 vehicles still get stuck or crash in the winter, because they're idiots. I've never run studs, either. I use all season, all terrain tires year round.
Your ability as a driver is much, much more critical to operating a vehicle safely and effectively than the actual capabilities of the vehicle. If you're an idiot driver, no amount of handicap measures will get you where you need to go. If you're a good driver, you can get by with a less than ideal setup.
That's all.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Regardless, adding weight is a good idea, even if you can manage without it, in a panic situation it is much safer and I spent most of my life in snow, AK, MI, CO and ND. It is usually the guys "that can handle it" that get in trouble eventually or guys with 4x4 that think with the extra traction they are invincible and find that you still only have 4 wheels when trying to stop.... As for driving in snow, I used to work the Colorado REACT team getting doctors and nurses to the hospital in blizzards, I was running a 72 F250 2wd with created chains and passing stuck 4x4's all day, its more about doing what you need to get the traction and learning to drive on snow and ice
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Elder User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
I, for example, am sufficiently prepared and equipped to avoid "panic" situations.
I've been driving since my early teens in snowy climates, never been in a collision, or off the road. Hell, I've never even been pulled over. I'm not too worried about "getting in trouble eventually".
Elder User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
No, they most certainly can't. Therefore, your best bet is to operate within their parameters, rather than push your luck hoping to defy them as so many seem to do.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,554
Likes: 6
From: Mesick
Pretty broad statement.
I, for example, am sufficiently prepared and equipped to avoid "panic" situations.
I've been driving since my early teens in snowy climates, never been in a collision, or off the road. Hell, I've never even been pulled over. I'm not too worried about "getting in trouble eventually".
I, for example, am sufficiently prepared and equipped to avoid "panic" situations.
I've been driving since my early teens in snowy climates, never been in a collision, or off the road. Hell, I've never even been pulled over. I'm not too worried about "getting in trouble eventually".
To paraphrase a well-known motorcycle phrase, "There's two types of drivers in the snow. Those who've lost control and those who will. Which one are you?"
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 676
From: DeMotte, IN
I have never added weight and never had a problem. I have always had a cap and always ran stock rims. As mentioned previous big wide tires are not ideal for snow as they will float. The one thing I keep in my bed is my aluminum suitcase with extra clothes, gloves, jumper cables, emergency supplies, etc., just in case!