Weight in the bed for snow
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Weight in the bed for snow
I have an 03 f150 2wd and was wondering how much weight to throw in the bed for the snow storms. I had 500lbs in there last year and still found myself slipping. So i threw in 350 more #'s in and go figure it didn't snow again so I really don't know a good number. Also where do i want to place the weight. I know there needs to be most over the axle but does the rest need to be in front or behind the drive axle? And yes I am getting snow tires for this year which I didn't have last year.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
With a good snow tire I would expect 300 lbs. to work just fine. The further behind the axle, the more leverage the weight will have. I'd put the sand bags against the tail gate.
In any event, you shouldn't need more weight in the rear than you have in the front (engine weight).
In any event, you shouldn't need more weight in the rear than you have in the front (engine weight).
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
Anything that presses down. If you want to conduct an experiment, get a digital kitchen scale, a 12 inch ruler, a pencil, a small item that weighs ten ounces or so, and a stack of books.
Place the scale next to the books and lay the pencil on the scale parallel to the books. The books represent the front of the truck and the pencil represents the rear axle.
Lay the ruler over the pencil and wedge the end of it in the books. This will allow the end of the ruler to stay in one position.
Zero out the scale, then set the weight directly over the pencil, note the weight measurement. Then move the weight further away from the pencil and the books. This represents shifting the load towards the rear of the bed. Note any weight changes. For fun, you could move the weight toward the books to see what happens. My belief is that as the weight sits closer to the front of the bed, more of the static load is transferred between the front and rear axles. Some portion of that load is going to be shared by both axles even if the load is directly over the rear axle. It's not until the load is moved behind the rear axle that you'll see the front axle actually get lighter due to the rear axle becoming a pivot point.
Place the scale next to the books and lay the pencil on the scale parallel to the books. The books represent the front of the truck and the pencil represents the rear axle.
Lay the ruler over the pencil and wedge the end of it in the books. This will allow the end of the ruler to stay in one position.
Zero out the scale, then set the weight directly over the pencil, note the weight measurement. Then move the weight further away from the pencil and the books. This represents shifting the load towards the rear of the bed. Note any weight changes. For fun, you could move the weight toward the books to see what happens. My belief is that as the weight sits closer to the front of the bed, more of the static load is transferred between the front and rear axles. Some portion of that load is going to be shared by both axles even if the load is directly over the rear axle. It's not until the load is moved behind the rear axle that you'll see the front axle actually get lighter due to the rear axle becoming a pivot point.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
I don't like putting weight that far back because of the safety issue. In an accident anything you can put in the bed becomes a projectile. Loaded that far back it is much less likely to be stopped by the front wall of the bed.
I load right up against the front of the bed for that reason. You're also not levering weight off the front axle that way, which can make it harder to steer.
I load right up against the front of the bed for that reason. You're also not levering weight off the front axle that way, which can make it harder to steer.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,932
Likes: 181
weight put on or behind the rear axle puts all the weight on the rear... I see the point of loading against the front wall of the bed, but a portion of that weight is then supported by the front axle, so you need MORE weight in that location, which effects gas mileage... from a pure "weight" analysis, the further back the better. ........... sand bags are not much of a projectile... concrete blocks will slide if not tied down.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
weight put on or behind the rear axle puts all the weight on the rear... I see the point of loading against the front wall of the bed, but a portion of that weight is then supported by the front axle, so you need MORE weight in that location, which effects gas mileage... from a pure "weight" analysis, the further back the better. ........... sand bags are not much of a projectile... concrete blocks will slide if not tied down.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,527
Likes: 2,830
Weight behind the axle can make you tail happy when stopping or in a turn.
I would put weight in front of or secured above the axle.
Remember, the weight will help with traction, but it also adds to braking distance and is more weight to try to turn in corners. It's a trade-off in most cases, so start with 300lbs and see how that works with the new tires.
Serving suggestion, all my snow driving was in cars with open diffs and a motorcycle.
I would put weight in front of or secured above the axle.
Remember, the weight will help with traction, but it also adds to braking distance and is more weight to try to turn in corners. It's a trade-off in most cases, so start with 300lbs and see how that works with the new tires.
Serving suggestion, all my snow driving was in cars with open diffs and a motorcycle.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,105
Likes: 384
From: Southern California
I don't like putting weight that far back because of the safety issue. In an accident anything you can put in the bed becomes a projectile. Loaded that far back it is much less likely to be stopped by the front wall of the bed.
I load right up against the front of the bed for that reason. You're also not levering weight off the front axle that way, which can make it harder to steer.
I load right up against the front of the bed for that reason. You're also not levering weight off the front axle that way, which can make it harder to steer.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Weight behind the axle can make you tail happy when stopping or in a turn.
I would put weight in front of or secured above the axle.
Remember, the weight will help with traction, but it also adds to braking distance and is more weight to try to turn in corners. It's a trade-off in most cases, so start with 300lbs and see how that works with the new tires.
Serving suggestion, all my snow driving was in cars with open diffs and a motorcycle.
I would put weight in front of or secured above the axle.
Remember, the weight will help with traction, but it also adds to braking distance and is more weight to try to turn in corners. It's a trade-off in most cases, so start with 300lbs and see how that works with the new tires.
Serving suggestion, all my snow driving was in cars with open diffs and a motorcycle.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 247
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
buy better tires or just take it easier on the pedals
300lbs should be plenty of weight, 3 or 4 sand bags from lowes.
my bed-liner has a little slot on either side that a 2x6 will slide into to keep things located by the tailgate.
I just noticed the 2wd part of your post, Definitely buy dedicated snow tires get a couple exra rims to put them on and only run them in the winter, you will think you're driving a different truck
and if only run in the winter they will last for several winters easily
300lbs should be plenty of weight, 3 or 4 sand bags from lowes.
my bed-liner has a little slot on either side that a 2x6 will slide into to keep things located by the tailgate.
I just noticed the 2wd part of your post, Definitely buy dedicated snow tires get a couple exra rims to put them on and only run them in the winter, you will think you're driving a different truck
and if only run in the winter they will last for several winters easily
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
buy better tires or just take it easier on the pedals
300lbs should be plenty of weight, 3 or 4 sand bags from lowes.
my bed-liner has a little slot on either side that a 2x6 will slide into to keep things located by the tailgate.
I just noticed the 2wd part of your post, Definitely buy dedicated snow tires get a couple exra rims to put them on and only run them in the winter, you will think you're driving a different truck
and if only run in the winter they will last for several winters easily
300lbs should be plenty of weight, 3 or 4 sand bags from lowes.
my bed-liner has a little slot on either side that a 2x6 will slide into to keep things located by the tailgate.
I just noticed the 2wd part of your post, Definitely buy dedicated snow tires get a couple exra rims to put them on and only run them in the winter, you will think you're driving a different truck
and if only run in the winter they will last for several winters easily
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,932
Likes: 181
weight further back puts the load on the rear axle... Putting 300# of weight 2 ft behind the axle will NOT decrease steering ability or make it less stable.. The front tires are maybe 12 ft further to the front so the "LIFT" on the front end will be 25 POUNDS or NOTHING.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
weight further back puts the load on the rear axle... Putting 300# of weight 2 ft behind the axle will NOT decrease steering ability or make it less stable.. The front tires are maybe 12 ft further to the front so the "LIFT" on the front end will be 25 POUNDS or NOTHING.
If a 40-lb sandbag comes through the rear window in a crash you'll probably never know what happened.