I’m tired of fighting with sand bags and sacks of concrete that don’t last more than a couple of years. I’m getting too old (and fat ) to be loading and unloading them. I’ve seen suitcase weights that look very durable and easier to handle but they’re fairly expensive. Also seeing water bags that would be very easy to use but they’re also expensive and I’m doubtful about their durability. Hoping other truck owners may have some ideas.

 

A fifth wheel hitch. A good one, like a B&W, with some mass to it. I don't haul much in the winter so I don't have to worry about pulling it very much if at all. Added bonus, it acts as a barrier to keep items of larger size from moving to the front of the box.

 

Thanks but not sure I want one of those sliding around in the bed of my truck. I usually add about 400 lbs of weight also.

 

I personally dont run with any additional weight in the winter any longer. I do lower my tire psi to 60-65 in the winter, which does help traction. If I have issues, then just push the 4wd button for as long as I need it.

 

I mean it won't slide around, they're usually affixed to either the puck system or a set of rails in the bed.

It's not for everyone, and usually you have to have a fifth wheel to bother having one. But a decent hitch can weigh as much as 250 lbs depending on how it's built.

Honestly there isn't a 'good' solution for adding weight to the truck box for the winter.

 

I think the OP thought you were talking about a semi fifth wheel plate in the bed, not a RV hitch.

 

I have used solid concrete blocks for winter weight. They come in different sizes but the ones I used were 8" x 16" x 4" thick. Each block weighs about 33 pounds. You can easily get enough blocks over the axle between the wheel wells to provide 400 pounds. Each block costs around $2.50 at home improvement stores so not very expensive. They are durable, lasting year after year. The blocks also come in 2" thickness for a lighter handling weight but requiring more blocks.

It is very important that the blocks be properly secured in the bed, not only to keep them from moving around, but also to prevent them from flying out of the bed during a collision. I made a frame out of lumber to lock the blocks in position and used ratchet straps over the top and connected to the bed tiedown point to restrain upward movement. Not perfect but worked okay. I had a hard plastic bed liner so was not concerned about abrasion from the blocks. any exposed painted surfaces will need to be protected.

I switched to a 1/2" steel plate, 48" wide and cut to the length of the bed. This was free and weighs around 500 pounds. I have the equipment to install and remove the plate and space to store it. This made the seasonal change over easier compared to the blocks but still a pain. The truck is my wife's daily driver and we get very snowy winters. After she retired in 2022 and did not need to drive in the worse conditions, I stopped adding weight. She hasn't missed not having it.