Bed weight for traction?
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Bed weight for traction?
Since my '98 Mazda B4000's rear end slides around so easily just on a wet road, I was going to get some 50lb sand bags to throw in the bed to add some weight for the upcoming winter weather.
Question is, what is the optimum weight to add to enhance traction?
I was considering the sand bags for a couple of reasons:
1-I could use them later in my sand blaster
2-They would not slide around in the bed
3-If I got stuck in snow or ice, I could bust one open and dump it around the tire to help traction.
Thanks,
Sonny
Question is, what is the optimum weight to add to enhance traction?
I was considering the sand bags for a couple of reasons:
1-I could use them later in my sand blaster
2-They would not slide around in the bed
3-If I got stuck in snow or ice, I could bust one open and dump it around the tire to help traction.
Thanks,
Sonny
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,651
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From: Maine
I had 320# in the back of my truck last winter. (4 80 lb bags of concrete mix) Did OK, but I could really feel the weight slowing me down on the hills (4 cyl). This winter, I have snow tires, and no weight. Doesn't seem to need any.
The thing to keep in mind with the weight is that adding mass to your truck comes at a cost. Slightly worse gas mileage, slightly longer stopping distances, and when the back end starts to come around on you, it's harder to stop because there is more mass sliding sideways.
The thing to keep in mind with the weight is that adding mass to your truck comes at a cost. Slightly worse gas mileage, slightly longer stopping distances, and when the back end starts to come around on you, it's harder to stop because there is more mass sliding sideways.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 819
Likes: 2
From: Northern Maine
I own a 98 Ranger 2wd and live in Northern Maine. My daughter raises dairy goats and I haul the grain with my Ranger. I buy 10 fifty pound bags at a time and haul it 21 miles one way. I feel that 500 pounds is a little too much weight to haul around all of the time as the front end is kind of light and the rear springs are nearly bottomed out. I have two five gallon pails of winter salt sand secured in the extreme rear of the bed for traction purposes. (I have a fiberglass camper shell as well and I take the pails of sand out when I haul grain) I have learned that the farther back you put your weight, the less you have to have because it transfers some of your trucks own weight to its rear wheels. As already posted by John 112Deere, the more weight you carry, the less gas mileage you are going to get. The trick is to find a happy medium. I feel that the two five gallon pails of sand is just about right. A little bit of weight and a set of real good snow tires should do you just fine.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 12
From: Sioux Falls SD
With good tires I have had good results with 4 40# bags of softner salt, two behind each rear wheel. Seems to be best comprimise of traction, power and MPG I had the 95 super cab 2 wheel drive with the four and 5 speed.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
It froze in Dallas today, sleet as well. Can see it falling out the window of this classroom.
I gotta go pick up a few bags of sand today so I'll be safer. Was gonna use 200 lbs of deer corn, but my dad took it all to the deer lease!
But it's all good, he got an 8-point today!
I gotta go pick up a few bags of sand today so I'll be safer. Was gonna use 200 lbs of deer corn, but my dad took it all to the deer lease!
But it's all good, he got an 8-point today!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Got some sand from Home Depot tonight. 200 pounds. Put it next to the wheel wells, but holy crap it was icy in the bed and that stuff slid all over without the truck moving!
So I jammed it behind the wheel wells against the tailgate. One in each corner and the other on top of it, that was nothing slides forward onto my, my gf's, or her sister's stuff.
It's lookin' like we'll be outta school tommorow, it's supposed to get worse around here tonight. Breaks my heart...*rolls eyes*
So I jammed it behind the wheel wells against the tailgate. One in each corner and the other on top of it, that was nothing slides forward onto my, my gf's, or her sister's stuff.
It's lookin' like we'll be outta school tommorow, it's supposed to get worse around here tonight. Breaks my heart...*rolls eyes*
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,979
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From: central ohio
i have a "loaded" sand-filled spare tire under the bed in the stock carrier, its about 200 pnds. its secure and out of the way. the "road spare" is mounted upright in the box on the drivers side ahead of the wheel well. you dont want too much weight, id say no more than 300 for a ranger, 500 for a full-size truck.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 184
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Does any one put weight in the back of their 4x4? This is my first winter with four wheel drive and I am trying to decide what is best. I used to run with 250 pounds of steel in my two wheeler which seemed fine. But I just can't decide about this truck. I have been playing around and seems like the four wheel will get me out of anything but I can't keep it in four wheel all of the b/c it's and older truck with manual hubs. Should I throw in a couple hundred pounds just for good mesure and surprises on the road or should I just figure my 4 wheel drive will dig me out of anything I get stuck in?
Blindlightguy
Blindlightguy
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 52
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sandbag slingshot
I normally put about 300 lbs of sand bags (6, 50 lb bags) in the back of my truck when the going gets slick, but I always get nervous that if I were in an accident one may launch through the back window. Oh-well, I guess that if I am in that kind of accident it may not matter anyway.
Up here in TN it does not normally get that slick anyway.
Up here in TN it does not normally get that slick anyway.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 33
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From: Virginia, USA
