Winter driving and adding weight in the bed of a 4x4 pickup?

[67440dodge]

On a 4X4 I've never had any need for extra weight in back, esp with limited slip (no experience with lockers). Now a 2WD I'd put 200lbs of sand above wheels in bed and with limited slip had no problems at all.

Just me, if you don't need the room the sand will take up, it won't hurt. Besides, sand is cheap, a couple bags won't break the bank, and you may need it for fill around the yard in the future

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[diesel97]

Just me, if you don't need the room the sand will take up, it won't hurt. Besides, sand is cheap, a couple bags won't break the bank, and you may need it for fill around the yard in the future

If you get stuck you can use the sand to get unstuck.

 

[Bandito]

Personally, I’ve found that the SuperCrews weight balance front to back is much better than the trucks with smaller cabs, so i’ve never needed to add anything to mine.

 

[MikeG]

Modern trucks are light years better in the snow than their older 20th century models. Beyond the better weight distribution, the traction control systems account for a lot, actuate the brakes to mimic limited slip, etc. The only time I see people getting stuck in the snow is either all ice (doesn't matter what you are driving if it's ice) or snow that is deeper than the height of the frame. Also met my fair share of stubborn drivers who turn off traction control because the "know how to drive better" that get stuck.

 

[Lippy]

Now that we have a big storm (hopefully) coming in the Sierras this weekend, I reread this. I already replaced my OEM Pirelli ATNs with three-peak rated Yokohama Geolandar G015s. I've considered adding extra weight but probably won't.

One question/thought: Powerboost trucks like mine have a battery that weighs a few hundred pounds just ahead of the rear axle. Shouldn't these trucks have better traction in the snow vs. non-powerboost models, as this is essentially adding weight?

 

[pkinneb]

Modern trucks are light years better in the snow than their older 20th century models. Beyond the better weight distribution, the traction control systems account for a lot, actuate the brakes to mimic limited slip, etc. The only time I see people getting stuck in the snow is either all ice (doesn't matter what you are driving if it's ice) or snow that is deeper than the height of the frame. Also met my fair share of stubborn drivers who turn off traction control because the "know how to drive better" that get stuck.

Exactly I haven't used sand in the bed of a truck since my dads 2wd F100 in 1973 LOL

 

[bosro]

I have 4 large truck tire tubes filled with sand i lay above the axle...between them and ice fishing stuff I probably have 200lbs at least back there.
Yes it most definitely helps.

 

[RJL1400]

I am just west of you inside the Ontario border. I usually put a couple hundred pounds right over the rear axle. I find the rear ends quite light on these trucks and it seems to help the rear have a little more bite. I run winter tires and find even in 4wd and turning the front tires will grab and the back end will want to swing around a bit. The slushy crap and hard pack on the streets we get here is the worse, if we just got straight snow A/T tires are fine imo.

I have had 2 and 4 wheel drive trucks and they all tend to have the back end swing around as posted above. I have taken sand bags (home depot sells them) and put them right over my rear axle and noticed an improvement.

 

[RR89]

However, for trucks, our options are quite a bit more limited in terms of winter tire selection. Right now, she's on a brand new set of Duratracs and I was hoping they'd fair well this winter. Won't know for sure until I've been there and done that though. The F-150 is not my daily driver but I need the truck to be able to go through Montreal's winters nonetheless without fishtailing at every street corner. We'll see I guess.

What do you mean limited? All the major brands make snow tires for your truck. I've been running Blizzak DM V2s on my trucks for as long as I can remember. Buy a set of used factory 18" wheels and dedicated snow tires and forget about any worries in the snow. Before the Covid BS we used to go to Montreal every winter and I didn't care if it was in the middle of a blizzard.

The problem is sliding through a stop sign when you step on the brakes or sliding into oncoming traffic when you turn the wheel with AT and AS tires. 4x4 will get you moving, but you won't be able to stop and turn. Weight in the back? LOL... Welcome to 1985. Traction is not about weight, get real winter tires....

They are magical, really. I tow snowmobile trailers into blizzards chasing snow and laugh at all the idiots spun out and crashed. It's not rocket science... Right tool for the job.

 

[ryant601]

Now that we have a big storm (hopefully) coming in the Sierras this weekend, I reread this. I already replaced my OEM Pirelli ATNs with three-peak rated Yokohama Geolandar G015s. I've considered adding extra weight but probably won't.

One question/thought: Powerboost trucks like mine have a battery that weighs a few hundred pounds just ahead of the rear axle. Shouldn't these trucks have better traction in the snow vs. non-powerboost models, as this is essentially adding weight?

More weight could help traction/getting going...sure, but also more weight to stop with equivalent brakes of non PB trucks. I've always been more nervous of stopping in snow than getting going.

 

[HCFX]

I've never needed weight in the back of a 4x4 half ton but tires do make a huge difference. I'm under the impression that tires are NOT a thing to cheap out on because you get what you pay for. If you live in an area that gets a long, intense, bullshitty winter like I do, winter tires are a necessity and not a delicacy.

I had a set of Blizzak DMV2's and they were mostly great but I found myself getting stuck in deep snow really often since I spent ALOT of time on unplowed back country roads. I switched to Duratracs which are not my favorite road tire, but are an absolutely excellent well balanced year-rounder. When I ran 33x12.5 Duratracs year round on my 2019 the only reason I really ever used 4x4 was to get the transfer case spinning every once in awhile. Rarely necessary otherwise. Mine were non studded but studded I would imagine are absolutely unstoppable. Food for thought.

 

[Canadian owner]

Hi you all have good idea, By working in the james bay area on construction project we had to adapt our driving habit on Ice road, like the last eastmain project 50 miles of pure ice road, studed tyrs was a must, I was driving an F150 short bed needed 500pounds in the box in front of the rear axle too get some grip for the front axle also i dont know the final ratio distribution but that was working, and that pickup was called a 7700 pounds, HD suspension was so hard that the suicide door where cracking from the window down, but it survived the whole 4 year project, now in my 2021 king ranch with a 6.5 box I use in winter Nokian Hakkapelita 10 studded tires normaly on 2wd economy modes, and if we have heavy sluchy snow i move on the slippery modes 4 wd auto engage with the stud you can effectivly stop when needed but you have to watch for the fellow behind you, i didnt had any weight in my box for now, and it working very nicely like that,

 

[Calson]

Where I find weight in the bed helps is when backing up a steep slope, like my driveway. Limited slip with my 2022 is so good that I now longer have this problem but most trucks have anti-spin or traction control that is nowhere close to being as effective.

I narrowed my new truck choices to ones from Ford or Ram as they are the only manufacturers still providing a factory locking differential. With my old 4WD trucks without limited slip (with a clutch) I would find myself with 1-WD when the right rear wheel would slip and loose traction.

 

[Popplemer]

Where I find weight in the bed helps is when backing up a steep slope, like my driveway. Limited slip with my 2022 is so good that I now longer have this problem but most trucks have anti-spin or traction control that is nowhere close to being as effective.

I narrowed my new truck choices to ones from Ford or Ram as they are the only manufacturers still providing a factory locking differential. With my old 4WD trucks without limited slip (with a clutch) I would find myself with 1-WD when the right rear wheel would slip and loose traction.

Locking rear is non negotiable! In the snow I'd take a 2wd weighed down with locking rear over 4wd unladen any day. Now I'd want skid chains on that 2wd but I digress...

 

[EricR]

I have 4 large truck tire tubes filled with sand i lay above the axle...between them and ice fishing stuff I probably have 200lbs at least back there.
Yes it most definitely helps.

You must have an impressive air compressor!

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