Heya guys and galls. I'm trying to get ideas on what to use for weight this winter. This is my first winter up north.

What do you all use for weight in your truck bed?

How much weight is appropriate?

I'm looking for ideas for materiel that is free or cheap and won't hurt my truck box (scratching it up, denting the tailgate, stuff like that).

Thanks folks

-Bill

 

anything in your bed now as in bedliner or bed mat? if you have a bed mat i would suggest some old bags of sacrete. you can sometimes find the stuff at the hardware store when it has gotten wet and is no longer useable you could get it for free. i have used it before for such and it wont roll or slide on a bedmat.

 

Use sandbags if you can. I had 280 lbs of sand in my S10 and that thing went thru a LOT of snow for a 2WD. Otherwise concrete blocks would work if you had a bed mat so they don't slide around.

 

A couple bags of sand. In my 83 F350(2wd) I carried 600lbs right between the rear tires. I had 2 plastic totes i piled the bagged sand in to. They were like a rubbermade tote only 5 times stronger. And if you do get stuck , it doubles as a traction aid when you throw it under the tires. I went places 4wds were having a hard time going. I just put in one gear too high and lugged her. I would also recomend studded snow tires for the back too!

 

The one winter I found a concrete slab that was 6 feet long, and 4 feet wide, and about 3 inch's thick. It fit perfect, and was heavy as hell, and my 2 wheel drive was unstoppable!

 

Getting the weight as far back as possible lightens up the front end so...
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/bumper1.jpg
...I put it in the back of the bumper, 322 lbs of it, that took 120 lbs off the front.
YMMV on how idiotic you may think that is! LOL :)

Alvin in AZ

 

what is that alvin? lead?

 

Ive used a few 80# bags of salt before. Cheap, heavy, and useful if you do get stuck.

 

pshh! when is traction fun? lol.......


seriously, i recommend at least 500lbs of whatever you can find. i got enough concrete blocks to build a foundation for a house if ya wanna take a trip lol

 

Hey guys, thanks for taking the time to reply. Alvin, I REALLY REALLY like what you did with your rear bumper. That's a really cool idea, I'm impressed.

I think what I'm going to do first is cut up some of the fallen trees in the back yard. I didn't want to use wood or anything to further damag my tailgate or sides but I think if i cut up the peices into fireplace size they should be alright. If not, I'll go with what Brad suggested; a "box" full of dirt.

 

I've used the fillable water bladder, can't remember the man'frs name, but I'll post when I do, holds 500lbs of water, turns to ice in the winter and gives a nice even weight to the truck. Once it freezes, you can even place stuff on top of it so you don't lose the use of your bed. Its designed to freeze, and mine has been thru quite a few freeze/thaw cycles with no harm to it at all. In theory, its a lot safer than, say, putting blocks and such in the bed. In an accident, they can become lethal projectiles and hurl towards the driver and kill him. This bladder will not become a projectile as it covers nearly the entire floor of the bed and fits snugly between the wheel wells. I'm looking for some pics I had of it in the truck bed from last winter-I'll be sure & post them when I find them.
Roger

 

Hey Roger, I really thank you, and that is a really good idea, but if I remember right the bladder is a couple hundred dollars - I can't afford that for this winter. Please post some pictures if you have some,though!! Thanks again

 

i have never found this necessary and i live in northern ohio and my truck is 2wd.

 

Yeah, Brad 322 lbs of lead 'n' hardware and the rear axle
thinks it's 442 pound right over it, traction wise. :)

Alvin in AZ

 

Found it- and believe me, this works like a charm!
Roger
ALL-WEATHER TRACTION BLADDERS - JCWhitney