How much weight for winter?
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Joined: Jul 2004
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How much weight for winter?
I live in central IL and this is my first full sized p/u[2000 f150 5.4 2wd] and I am wondering how much wt. to put in the bed for winter.I would appreciate any input or ideas.
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From: Leesburg , Fl.
When we lived in Mi. I had a 327 chevy block I would put in the bed along with a few cement blocks . I put a 4 by 4 accross the bed , behind the wheelwells so they wouldn't slide forward . I also carried a couple of sand bags and a shovel , tow stap etc . Winter is much easier since we moved to Fl !
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lafayette, IN
Do NOT use cement blocks. They become missiles in an accident. I generally use 5x70lb tubes of sand in a 1/2-ton truck, with some slightly off-road drive tires. For a 3/4-ton truck, I up it to 500+ lbs. plus all my tool boxes and ladder rack. Only time I got stuck was when I tried to go through snow that was WAY too deep (ended up high-centered on the driveline/spare tire).
Jason
Jason
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From: Leesburg , Fl.
jroehl , any thing you put in the bed of your truck will become a missle in an accident ! This also applies to tubes of sand . If it's not bolted or welded to the truck it will fly if you're involved in an accident .
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: S/C Texas
A couple hundred pounds of salt bags. Good weight......good traction on the ground if needed. I believe last time I saw a winter up north it was 4 60 pound bags of rock salt.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Eastern Taxachusetts
But if the salt bags rip you got rust problems in not too long... I use sand tubes in my ranger 3x70lbs.
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From: S/C Texas
Originally Posted by splashtm
But if the salt bags rip you got rust problems in not too long... I use sand tubes in my ranger 3x70lbs.
Sand also is very good idea.....I decided the salt that winter because it was mostly ice storms. Therefore the salt did a few more jobs at once.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: central ohio
dont know if search feature is back on, but this has been brought up before, not sure which fourum, personally, i mount the spare tire in the box of the truck, drivers side,upright. then i get a old tire on a rim, fill it with sand and mount it under the truck where the spare would normally be kept. depends on tire size of course, but mine was 150 pds for a 15" tire in the ranger, 240 pds for a 16.5 "tire in a 3/4 ton i had. weight is behind the axle, secured, and you can get to the spare if you need it without crawling under the truck.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Originally Posted by racsan
dont know if search feature is back on, but this has been brought up before, not sure which fourum, personally, i mount the spare tire in the box of the truck, drivers side,upright. then i get a old tire on a rim, fill it with sand and mount it under the truck where the spare would normally be kept. depends on tire size of course, but mine was 150 pds for a 15" tire in the ranger, 240 pds for a 16.5 "tire in a 3/4 ton i had. weight is behind the axle, secured, and you can get to the spare if you need it without crawling under the truck.
I liked your idea so much I went out today and got myself an old rim with a tire mounted on it. Drilled a 1 inch hole in the top, filled it with sand and then plugged the hole with some old bicycle tubes and tire cement.
The thing is damned heavy! Fortunately, the 2004 Rangers have a winch system for the spare tire. Using the jack handles you insert it just underneath the tailgate and lower the spare. Attach the weighted rim and tire to the bracket and just winch it into place! If I had my old Ranger were you had to lay the tire on the bracket and swing it UP into place.....well, I don't think I would be able to do it.
The truck noticably sinks down as the weight of the tire bares down on the rear of the truck.
How heavy? Not sure, I CAN lift it, with a hand on either side of the tire. But not very high and not for very long. I'd say at least 150 pounds. I'm gonna weigh it come Monday at work to see just how heavy it is.
Anyway, its a great idea and keeps the truck pan free of clutter.
THANKS!
Digger
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From: central ohio
the "winch" setup works best for this, my 3/4 ton had that type ,both rangers ive had have the old manual swing it up yourself setup ('88 & '93) it isnt easy and help from a 2nd person helps. how i weighed mine was to roll the tire onto a bathroom-style scale. you could always weigh as you fill if you are looking for a specific weight to run, i always put as much in as would fit. its the most practical use ive gotten out of a tempory spare, thats what i have under my current truck, i bought some stock steel wheels off somone from work for winter use and the temp spare came with them, for a temp spare its got some volume to it. my 3/4 ton spare was a 9.50-16.5 tire. the truck i have now is my first 4wd pickup, the 2wds did fine as long as you have proper weight balance and good tires. have a safe winter! Dave.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Auburn, OH
I like the sand in the spare thing. On my old ranger after I took the spare out once I never put it back and just kept it in the bed so that would have worked great. I have another reason not to use cinderblocks when you hit the breaks, they roll, and dent the **** out of your box. You can prevent this with a chain through them and hooked to both sides of you bed but it is still a pain. I would say stick with sand or really cheep cat litter. I ended up just shoveling some gravel in my bed one year too, this is great if you do get stuck, just grab a few scoops and you got traction.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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I don't bother adding any weight to my truck. After living in snow country for all but 4 of my 41 years I have learned how to drive on snowy roads. I seldom even use the 4x4 on my truck either. It has to be about 18" deep and freshly fallen snow before I will use it.
Chris
Chris
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Northern Utah
I drive frequently in mountains that get anywhere from 300 to 600 inches of snowfall per year...
That's 50 feet of snow! As an avid skier, when it is snowing, I'm up in the mountains.
My vehicle: 03 F250 Crewcab 6.0 PSD
My strategy: 480 lbs of sand (8X60lbs) kept in place with straps.
285/75/16 studded and siped snow tires.
I also carry four different towing straps which if all else fails can be linked together to pull someone out that is really off the road. I only use 4X4 when absolutely required.
Needless to say: I have never been stuck
But you don't get off the road or you will be buried!!!
That's 50 feet of snow! As an avid skier, when it is snowing, I'm up in the mountains.
My vehicle: 03 F250 Crewcab 6.0 PSD
My strategy: 480 lbs of sand (8X60lbs) kept in place with straps.
285/75/16 studded and siped snow tires.
I also carry four different towing straps which if all else fails can be linked together to pull someone out that is really off the road. I only use 4X4 when absolutely required.
Needless to say: I have never been stuck
But you don't get off the road or you will be buried!!!
Last edited by utahtom; Oct 18, 2004 at 07:48 PM.