How many of you guys add weight in the bed for the slippery roads in the winter? I was considering doing so but have not come up with a cheap, easy, but safe way to do so. Is it worth it with all our torque or would it not make enough difference to bother with?

 

in a 4x4, I'd say it's not really worth the bother. In a 2wd though, every little bit counts. Safely is the key word to adding weight to the bed.

 

Mine is 4X4 and I run about 400 lbs, all witnet next to the tailgate.

If it gets bad I go up to about 1000 lbs.
That is what's in there now.

But I use my truck on the farm.
And the snow is wet around here.

: Eddie :

 

I wouldnt bother if you have 4x4.

 

I've been runnin 4X4's since 1970 and I've found it to be alot better.

A 4X4 can go with out it but if you want to move something else you need it.

Also with the weight I don't have to engage the front nearly as much on the road.

But off road on the farm it makes a great deal of difference.

: Eddie :

 

I think extra weight reduces the spinning effect of the torque...especially with an Automatic.
But than you have to deal with the extra weight when stopping!

RJ

 

Rail road ties work great. Cut them to the length of the bed and you are good to go. They won't slide around, they don't spill like sand, and you can add weight or take it out as needed. Great for snow plowing.

 

I like to have 300-500 lbs in the rear of my 2500 when I have to drive in deep snow - it really helps the rear not skate around so much in deep ruts and your not grabbing for the t-case shifter every time there is a bit of snow on the road.........However, IMO, 500 lbs is not enough weight for my 3500 to notice much difference and the duals REALLY skate around in the deep snow ..........around 1000 lbs seems to work well for DRW's..........it sounds like a lot of weight but it is really only another 250 lbs per tire.

 

I plow with my 92 so I put weight in the back for traction but also ballast. I built a 'H' design of 2 x 6's to fit between the fenderwells. I load granite in there and then fill it with dirt to level it out. Once that dirt get wet a little and freezes, it is good to stay for the winter. I would think I have about 1000 lbs in the back currently. My Blizzard 810 plow weighs in around 1000 lbs so it balances it out somewhat. Truck looks pretty level with the plow on but a little nose high when it is off. Mainly due to having the extra helper spring in the front springs only and not the back. As for starting and stopping, I don't think the truck even knows anything is back there. I only feel a little difference when starting off the line. Like the tires don't spin when there isn't any weight.

I would recommend though if you do put weight of something in the back. Tie is down or something to prevent it coming forward in an accident.

 

How about sand bags? 50cents - 2 dollars for 50 pounds? Use the bed tie-downs to hold them in place.

 

my snowmobile is over 500 pounds! does it count if its in the back when im in snowy country

 

You might consider asking Hoss on advice for this. He has found a way to add weight and a durable bedliner at the same time.

 

The 1000 I mentioned eariler didn't include the approx. 700 - 800 in tools, chains, tool box, and junk that's in all year.


: Eddie :

 

I just made a little wooden frame that creates a side-to-side wall right between the wheelwells, then chained it to the lower tie-downs in back. I've got a little over 1,000 lbs worth of gravel behind it right now... Haven't needed 4wd yet, even at Christmas with 12" of snow and crappily plowed roads.
Chris

 

I do the same as Nuttymopar's H shaped in both my trucks except mine are 800 lbs of concrete with lift hooks. Helps to have a fork lift. I like the extra weight even when the roads aren't slick, smoother ride.

Whatever you put in the back make sure it's well secured so it doesn't become a missile though the rear window in a sudden stop. Friend of mine was totally disabled for over six months and still isn't the same after several years when a frozen solid tube of sand came though the window and hit him in the head during what would have otherwise been a minor slide off the road on ice.