Winter weights for a pickup

[Northland]

I think this may be an effective solution based on the reviews

Amazon.com: ShurTrax LW-0056 All Weather Traction Aid for Full Size Pickup Trucks/SUVs: Automotive

 

[Runner]

I get used truck/tractor tire inner tubes (some tire dealers give these away) and cut them in half. Then, I pour a bag of sand in each inner tube half. Twist the ends and seal them up with a piece of bailing wire or hose clamp.

These are great because they don't move around in the bed. In fact, I leave one or two in the bed of each of my trucks year-round, because they are good for holding other things in place (like lawn mowers, weed eaters, etc.) that you don't want rolling/sliding around.

Used inner tubes are getting harder to find now since most of the big trucks and semi trailers are going to tubeless tires.

 

[Woody_NH]

I made a box 36" W X 16" D X 12" H out of 3/4 inch plywood with a hinged front (half way down) that can can be unlatched and dropped down to shovel sand out.
I fill the box with sand mixed with enough salt to keep from freezing. I keep the box covered and just behind the rear wheels with a rope tied to the rear tie downs and crossing in front of the box to keep it from sliding forward.

I would guess the full box is about 250+ lbs, enough to help with traction. Then if one does get stuck there is sand to spread.

 

[LarryRB]

Aaron
I see that Woody H has said basically what I just typed and will erase,.
I think you are doing it wrong.,.
I 've owned a lot of Dodge's and never felt the need for weight except one with a heavy Fisher plow,,, BUILDING what Woody just suggested or similar THe reason is simple. If she gets stuck,.,. even with her hands she can get some sand and hopefully pull out of wherever she was stuck. You are not going to throw tires filled with cement or concrete blocks, rocks and other,, under wheels to get unstuck,,, simple.,

 

[Lunk]

Local utility used to run 2wd p/u trucks for the meter readers.
They had a 48" W X 36"L X 1/2" thick steel plate bolted to the bed in between the wheelwells. Kind of permanent, but no doubt effective in Winter. Nice thing was that they didn't take up any bed space to speak of.

I myself throw a couple sandbags on a rubber bed mat (keeps them from sliding around), and if conditions warrant, toss a couple more in on the really bad days, removing them after the weather passes.

That, with 4 dedicated snow tires, gets me around pretty good.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

I used to have an H-frame that fit between the wheel wells and I'd drop 4-6 concrete blocks in it for weight. I've also used a cargo bar threaded throughthe top hole in blocks and pin that in place just ahead of the wells - so the weight was above or slightly in front of the axle. another trick I've done is use bags of softener salt - which i can then load into the softener in the spring. (this is also good for summer trips if I'm going to be driving across states that don't do as much road maintenance as I'm used to here.)

 

[aczlan]

I 've owned a lot of Dodge's and never felt the need for weight except one with a heavy Fisher plow,,, BUILDING what Woody just suggested or similar THe reason is simple. If she gets stuck,.,. even with her hands she can get some sand and hopefully pull out of wherever she was stuck. You are not going to throw tires filled with cement or concrete blocks, rocks and other,, under wheels to get unstuck,,, simple.,

I hadn't thought of the ability to use the weight as traction, not certain it is needed, I am mainly trying to make it so that she doesn't have to use 4wd to get out of the driveway in the morning, where she drives there is almost always a tractor handy if she gets stuck, I am trying to make it so that the truck will have enough weight to not spin when going up a snowy 1'/10' (rise/run) grade.

My RWD '93 Volvo 940 wagon has better traction in than her truck in 2wd (but then I have ~50/50 weight distribution and ~120# of gravel in bean/feed bags sitting over the back axle)

Aaron Z

 

[thatguy]

I think this may be an effective solution based on the reviews

Amazon.com: ShurTrax LW-0056 All Weather Traction Aid for Full Size Pickup Trucks/SUVs: Automotive

Problem - 'winter' traction needed...
Solution - Just add water to a bladder in bed of truck

HMMMM
winter = cold weather
water freezes = 32 degrees
Assume winter = temperatures 32 or below..
Bladder = busts and ribs due to expansion of frozen water

Filling it with sand or gravel would be a better solution - but who would want to do that thru that fill hole..

Just my smart <deleted> comments.. LOL

Brian

 

[George2615]

I use 7 bags of sand held in place by 2x6's. I have 4WD but the sand bag weight lets me use 2WD much more.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I use 7 bags of sand held in place by 2x6's. I have 4WD but the sand bag weight lets me use 2WD much more.

I had a F-150 Lightning and it sucked in the snow. I filled the bed with snow and all it did was make it heavier to push. In all honesty I think the tires make all the difference. Bad tires and all the weight in the world=stuck.

Chris