Adding Weigth During Winter
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Oak Lawn, IL
I get 4 bags of 80lb salt for the water softner and place them just in front of the axle
Take them out after the season and put the salt in the water softner.
Haven't had a problem and now going into my second winter.
Take them out after the season and put the salt in the water softner.
Haven't had a problem and now going into my second winter.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I personally added 4 - 55 pounds bags of sand. It changes the behavior, does not spin as easy and does not sag the back end too much.
In my opinion, 200 pounds or so is the way to go. I placed the weight behind the wheels.
Ben
In my opinion, 200 pounds or so is the way to go. I placed the weight behind the wheels.
Ben
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Howdy,
I just had a 60+ mile trip yesterday, snow or slush covered road the entire time. Alot of steep mountain, winding roads, up hill and down hill.
4-wheel drive was all I needed. The truck is an super cab FX4 w/ 5.5' bed and a ARE LSII cover.
The key to winter driving is not to get in too big of a hurry. Having a 4X4 does not mean you can drive 70 miles an hour on an icy, slick road. Slow down.
No truck/car handles as good on ice as it does on dry pavement. Adjust your driving habbits accordingly.
I just had a 60+ mile trip yesterday, snow or slush covered road the entire time. Alot of steep mountain, winding roads, up hill and down hill.
4-wheel drive was all I needed. The truck is an super cab FX4 w/ 5.5' bed and a ARE LSII cover.
The key to winter driving is not to get in too big of a hurry. Having a 4X4 does not mean you can drive 70 miles an hour on an icy, slick road. Slow down.
No truck/car handles as good on ice as it does on dry pavement. Adjust your driving habbits accordingly.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
No. It's a trade off. Much harder to stop/spin with the extrra weight in the back. 4X4, go slow. LSD same thing. Sucks if you are going to drive in winter. A gimmick in less you got a 2X2 then I guess it's a poor man's 4X4.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
Just shovel snow into the bed of your truck.... Its free and it melts away at the same speed as the roads... Unless you park in a garage.. then I would recommend sand/salt bags in the back. I dont care what anyone else says... if you have a 2wd truck... added weight in the back is a night and day difference.
It snowed 23" here just before christmas... I loaded the bed of my 2wd truck with snow... Lots of snow.... and I had ZERO problems with traction. I was pulling people out of ditches with no slipping... Added weight=better traction... But... it also makes it harded to stop... so drive slow.
It snowed 23" here just before christmas... I loaded the bed of my 2wd truck with snow... Lots of snow.... and I had ZERO problems with traction. I was pulling people out of ditches with no slipping... Added weight=better traction... But... it also makes it harded to stop... so drive slow.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
My 2004 Lariat 4x4 is great in snow. We have had some nice snow storms and some really bad ice storms in NH so far this season. The truck has done very well, with no weight added in the back.
I do try to keep the fuel tank filled tho!
I do try to keep the fuel tank filled tho!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 215
Likes: 25
From: Massachusetts
I have 2004 XL 2wd, and live in Massachusetts. This being the first winter with my truck I went with the overkill method and put 320#s of gravel in the back, and it definitely helps. in fact I think 320 was perfect. What also helps in taking advantage of all the gears of the auto transmission. I've use gear 2 on the road before during the really bad storms. Gear 1 I usually only use on my drvieway as I go too slow for road use.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Long Neck, Delaware
I've never added weight to my 04 supercab 4x4, although I should. I've never had any problems with mine in 4wd, but correctly any truck on the street in the snow should have some weight in it, 2wd or 4wd. Just don't do what some guys do and over load it.The truck should sit level (if you have a leveling kit I guess your out of luck, LOL). If you load too much then you lose the abilty to steer, which of course makes the problem even worse.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 615
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield, Mi
I go to Home Depot and buy an 80# bag of cement, put it in a commercial grade garbage bag (so it doesn't get wet), and set it over the right rear tire. I have a 2x6 in the slots of my bed liner so I screwed 2 2x4's to make a partition big enough to keep the bag from sliding around. When spring comes, return the bag of cement so it isn't laying around the garage
When I had my old s-10 I used to fill the back with snow...didn't help keep it from rusting though
When I had my old s-10 I used to fill the back with snow...didn't help keep it from rusting though
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