Hoss has a solution for this! Do a search on "Hoss Bed liner"

 

hahaha...im looking for something a little less permanent....and i just spent money on a line-x

 

I grew up in Montreal and moved to Salt Lake, driven in snow my whole life. One trick my Dad taught me was, if slippery out, when slowing down put it in neutral, it's easier to control the stop and actually feel the wheels. If you feel yourself slipping, put it back in gear and gear down to get a controlled stop.

 

If you lived up north, I would say "Snow" (that's what I used to do, just let the bed fill up with the stuff, but then again, that's why I moved).
I also used 50# bags of rocksalt or 50# bags of sand. They don't cost too much so if someone takes them you aren't out a lot of coin. Plus if you get stuck you can open one up and spread some under the wheels for traction. Other folks carried kitty litter in the trunk for the same reason.
Other folks ran a 2x4 from wheel well to wheel well and placed cinder blocks behind the 2x4 back to the tailgate. The 2x4 prevented the blocks from sliding forward.

~Rob

 

Fresh snow will tend to provide the best winter traction that you'll find provided it's not too deep or powdery. You'll do ok with with 4x4 and your summer tires, get confident, pick up the speed, and then hit some packed snow or ice and generate fear or provide entertainment for everyone around you :^)

Driving a heavy truck with a light rear end you need to be aware of different conditions; powdery or wetter snow, deep or packed snow, hard or soft ice, as each is different. If you haven't been in those conditions before with the truck and tires then slow down and check it out. Mother nature doesn't give out extra credit for having adequate tires most of the time and she doesn't care if you have 4wd or eleventeen wheel drive, you need adequate tires all of the time. It only takes a few feet of ice to put you in a ditch or worse. I have studded winter tires on all wheels, still carry chains, and have used them more than once.

 

well....being as its just for a trip...i just have the factory michelins....which, imo, arent the best in wet weather for traction.

does airing down help for a wider footprint (like in mud/sand)? or does it make any difference.