Winter bed weight
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 13,710
Likes: 5
From: Manchester, CT
Winter bed weight
Does anyone run weight in their bed during the winter? With my crew cab long bed, even with brand new toyo MTs, i dont have much traction in 2wd...and i dont feel like driving around in 4x4 all the time if its snowing. I think because there is hardly any weight on the rear axle with the truck being so long.
I was planning on just buying some sand bags that hopefully can be reused, but was wondering what weight people run. 500lb seem like enough?
I was planning on just buying some sand bags that hopefully can be reused, but was wondering what weight people run. 500lb seem like enough?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 661
Likes: 8
From: Ontario , Canada
You have a 4x4 but you don't want to use it? lol......I don't put any weight in mine...but I use the 4x4 option......I've heard of others putting 5 0r 6 bags of softener salt in the back....they are 88 lbs for the bigger bags, so that would give ya in the area of 500 lbs give or take...so yeah should be enough.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 13,710
Likes: 5
From: Manchester, CT
Its annoying if there is 1" of snow. I only need it to get going from a stop, then im fine. Id rather just put some weight in my bed and actually be able to navigate around. If im driving in a major snow storm then yeah im in 4x4 the whole time. Even in 4x4, with an open front end, its not overly useful when im up in vermont. If i have my snowmobile (about 600lbs) in the bed, then im fine...so just wondering is 500 is still a useful amount.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 77
From: Central Florida
I don't put any weight in mine, but it could probably use some. I do use the electronic locking rear end more than I use 4x4. It seems locking the rear end give me good enough traction to be the first person away from the light.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 137
Likes: 2
From: Northern NY State
I've never needed weight in any truck I've owned , I go by the make it walk don't talk rule. In other words soft on the gas at the corner, but the tube sand will give you enough. Make sure you put it over the axle to get the most out of it. Plus if you need to you can get out and put some of the sand under the tire to get traction.
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Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 13,710
Likes: 5
From: Manchester, CT
I certainly dont "need" any weight with 4x4...but i dont see the point in driving around in 4x4 everywhere. Id rather just add some necessary traction to the rear end of an empty truck bed. My plow truck is a crew cab short bed and with some bags of ice melt and other tools, it does ok...but my truck is pretty bad
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
I've got a steep 12% gravel driveway. Every SUV/minivan vehicle can make it in 2wd, but our F350 SC long bed requires 4wd, when empty. Even with limited slip rear both rear tires spin and the rear end hops up and down. Stop, put in 4wd problem solved.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,554
Likes: 6
From: Mesick
I've got 8-10 48# bags of play sand in 5 gallon buckets in my bed. This is the first time I have put weight in the bed. I did it originally to overcome the leafspring hop due to worn out shocks. It's only snowed a couple inches last week, but it definitely made it easier to drive in 2wd.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 6
From: Massachusetts
I'm carrying about 600 lbs in tools and a 200lb ARE truck cap and that works great for plowing. 500lbs will definitely help. I put 2- 4'x8'x5/8" sheets of plywood on top of my tools and secure everything with heavy duty ratcheting straps. I know a guy who put a bunch of sand bags close to his tailgate without securing them. Then when he smashed into a tree at 45mph the sand bags went right through his back window and killed him. Make sure you secure whatever you put in the back!
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
I use an OLD bar-bell weight lifting set.. cast iron... about 600 pounds.
I have 2 wheel drive. second truck. but been using weight lifting set in station wagons since the 1970's....
who need 4x4 on pavement.. drive like you have an un-cooked egg under your foot. and weight in the back, and behind the rear axle.
I truly enjoy the E-Locker rear end. but several of my old wagons had posi-traction.
Motor Safe.
.
I have 2 wheel drive. second truck. but been using weight lifting set in station wagons since the 1970's....
who need 4x4 on pavement.. drive like you have an un-cooked egg under your foot. and weight in the back, and behind the rear axle.
I truly enjoy the E-Locker rear end. but several of my old wagons had posi-traction.
Motor Safe.
.