Weight in the back of your truck for winter traction

[Alberta Bigbore]

Every body is different. Curious as to how much weight of other people put in the back of thier trucks box for winter traction?

In my 2009 F150 I used to put 6 to 8 sandbags in front of the tailgate. About 300to 400 lbs. Never had traction issues on greasy highways.

This year in my 2016 f150 I put 300 lb of split patio blocks between my box divider and tailgate. But don't like the way it shifts around. Even being wedged between the two. Might go back to sandbags from Rona.

Curious what is overkill and what isn't. 😊

[nimrod]

I put cat littler in the box for a traction aid, the weight is good, and I can use it to put it under the tires if needed, at 10 dollars for a 40 pound plastic bag and does not shift.

[Reeves1]

No mater what is used, make sure it is properly secured in case of a wreck.
You do not want projectiles !

I always have my truck set up as a service truck - so I have plenty of diesel weight.

[58thecat]

Word of advice use sand bags, if in a need when stuck they can be dumped out for additional traction.

[Don_Parsons]

My truck is 2 wdr, so little quad will remain in box all winter, jocky box is full of tools, tow sling, shovel and tire chains "if needed".

I still have to watch where I venture unless I plan on using my AMA.

Pal Don

[JB_AOL]

Do people actually still do this? This was an old 2wd truck/"boat" traction thing.

At any rate for the sake of everyone, please make sure they are tied down, they become projectiles when in an accident, and the first place it'll end up is through the cab.

[4thredneck]

That's what the four wheel drive knob is for.

[Trochu]

Originally Posted by 4thredneck

That's what the four wheel drive knob is for.

Four wheel drive adds traction?

[4thredneck]

Originally Posted by Trochu

Four wheel drive adds traction?

Nopejust adds to the purchase price.

[bat119]

You can use a large plastic tote full of sand, in case of a collision the lid pops off or the tote will break don't have to worry about sand bags coming through the cab. Using sand for traction is a good plan however unless your sand has been dried it going to be a frozen lump that could become a projectile. you can buy dried play sand in 50 lb bags for $8 at homedepot.

1 litre of sand weighs 3.3 lbs a 60 litre tote would weigh 198 lbs.

[bat119]

Originally Posted by 4thredneck

Nopejust adds to the purchase price.

I use part time 4wd in my Dodge if the back wheels spin the front wheels kick in the front of a truck is heavier than the back, no additional weight required well worth the extra cost.

[4thredneck]

Originally Posted by bat119

I use part time 4wd in my Dodge if the back wheels spin the front wheels kick in the front of a truck is heavier than the back, no additional weight required well worth the extra cost.

My comment was made with sarcasm.

[jpohlic]

I use a 3500lb truck camper... and yes, it's tied down!

With my old 2wd I used a layer of patio blocks covered with a sheet of 1/2" plywood. This was just above the height of my tie down points so I could securely strap it down.

[graybeard]

I agree with most all of the good traction methods and comments, however the additional weight also adds to the extended time it takes to brake and come to a stop....

Nothing like adding 350-400 pounds to your toboggan...... Just saying!

[couleefolk]

In my shortbox, I have 2 old diesel heads , each the width of the fenders and just a little shorter than the space from the tailgate to the fenders, each around 250lbs, and each has an angle iron across the top with threaded rods bolting them down tight. Furthermore, I have cables strung through them to the corner posts of the box just in case. I consider this space as not important, and I can still use the truck to haul 4x8 sheets. The extra weight helps proportion my weight distribution quite nicely on each axle, and anyone that knows something about traction will know just having 4x4 when one axle is way lighter than the other is pretty useless. My old fullsize blazer didn't need weights because it was fairly well balanced to start. I also switch to narrower tires with studs, and the weight per stud gives me good traction.

[cranky]

Couple hundred pounds is all ive ever used at the very back of box. Makes the difference between staying on road or off in the ditch. I travel a back country road most every day winter and summer.

[Drewski Canuck]

If you drive a Dodge Cummins you have about 5K # on the front end anyway.

However, I appreciate the idea of weight in the back end of a regular truck. If you are going sand bags, make sure it is CHIP SAND, or sometimes called Skinnings. Play sand is not traction, just weight.

Get the chips down, and its traction.

I am the person who preaches about tire chains all the time. If you are in trouble, nothing works like tire chains as long as you can get them on before you go in the ditch. A killer set of V bar tire chains at Gregg Distributors is $122, plus the cost of rubber straps. They will last you a lifetime.

Drewski

[honeycut.a7]

what about front wheel drive suv's. My wife has a Tuscon does putting weight in the back reduce traction in the front ?

Sent from my GT-P3113 using Tapatalk

[Okotokian]

I've got auto 4 wheel drive in my truck and use dedicated winter tires, but I still threw 4 sandbags in the box just in front of the tailgate. Figured it couldn't hurt.

[Bigwoodsman]

Years back in a two wheel drive I put a 1/2 inch 4x8 sheet of steel on the floor of the truck box, then a rubber mat from Princess Auto on top of that worked great. Ive also made sand boxes. I use 3/8 4x8 OSB on the top and bottom then with a 2X3 inch perimeter filled with sand.

BW

[mustard73]

I use 4x4 as well when the roads are bad. No extra weight added.

Comment for the sand baggers. My experience with trying to use the sand for traction on the ground is that the sand bags gets wet and freeze into a solid block of ice. Maybe putting them in a garbage bag or something would help keep the water out.

[boonedocks]

I have a toolbox full of recovery equipment in my rear toolbox and always make sure that my gas tank is full!

[Stinky Buffalo]

Has anyone here tried out these water-filled traction aids yet?

[260 Rem]

When I used to want extra weight ...poured 4 bags of redi-mix into an old truck tire (rebar loops to tie down). Each weighs about 250 lbs and doesn't slide around. Three in the bottom of the box. Two guys or tractor with a bucket does the lifting.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

Has anyone here tried out these water-filled traction aids yet?

I think it would have a lot of shortcomings. Inhibits the full use of your box. Throwing things in there might puncture it. How do you get a couple hundred pounds of frozen ice that big out of your box if you need to? I'll stick with sandbags that are easier to put in and remove, and also have other uses (traction aids, bags to shoot off of, etc).

[bearsnoreson]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

Has anyone here tried out these water-filled traction aids yet?

I have one for my truck, and we ended up getting one for my Dad as well. Easy to fill, tie down, doesn't take up much space, and easy to empty at the end of winter. I have never needed to remove mine during the winter, but I can imagine that it could be a pain.

I have been using mine for three years now.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by bearsnoreson

I have one for my truck, and we ended up getting one for my Dad as well. Easy to fill, tie down, doesn't take up much space, and easy to empty at the end of winter. I have never needed to remove mine during the winter, but I can imagine that it could be a pain.

I have been using mine for three years now.

Cool!

Do you put anything over it to protect it from getting damaged by your loads, or is it rugged enough that you don't need to?

[Fisherpeak]

Originally Posted by Bigwoodsman

Years back in a two wheel drive I put a 1/2 inch 4x8 sheet of steel on the floor of the truck box, then a rubber mat from Princess Auto on top of that worked great. Ive also made sand boxes. I use 3/8 4x8 OSB on the top and bottom then with a 2X3 inch perimeter filled with sand.

BW

That`s what I have in the old Chevy 4x4, takes no room up at all. And a sandbag or two for traction.

[st99]

I keep two 5 gallons pale filled with gravel, if I get stuck, I use the gravel for more traction

[jstubbs]

I need to pick up some of those sand bags. I was planning on running my slip tank at at least half full all year (would weigh in the ball park of 600 lbs at half to 1000 lbs when full of diesel) but I wound up selling it for more than I paid.