Winter weights for a pickup

[Dargo]

I've owned nothing but pick up trucks since 1989.
The were
1* 79 Datsun
2* 83 Dodge D-50
3* 86 Dodge D-50
4* 89 Dodge D-50
5* 89 Nissan
6* 92 Toyota
I still have trucks 3 5 & 6.
All 6 were 2 wheel drive.
Never carried sand bags or other extra weight in the bed of any of them.
Never had traction or handling problems on ice or snow.

L . B .

Those aren't trucks! They are about equal to using an El Camino or something. If you add any weight to their beds, their overloaded. Those are just cars with a large open trunk.

 

[davitk]

I drive a '99 Dodge king cab long box w/2wd, it's a work truck and always full of tools under the topper (at least 500#'s) on a shelf behind the cab. The bed is always in flux, with larger tools and materials going in and out but in the winter I always try to have at least two bags of ice melt (dual purpose ) behind the wheel wells. Good tires or not that extra weight makes a big difference. As far as "securing the load" goes, well, everything is relative

 

[Lunk]

Anytime we have snow or bad weather and I need weight for traction I just use my FEL and put a couple of bucket loads of snow at the rear of the truck. I have all the weight I want and when the weather is better I don't have to worry about getting it out. It goes away all on it's own. Besides, this method doesn't require anything to keep the weight from moving around and damaging your bed. My grandfather and a friend of my dad have been using that method since the 40's without ever having any issue. It works great for me as well. Besides, I can't think of any method that is more cost effective.

I've seen more than a few folks do that, but my issue is that I need the truck a few times a month to actually haul something, and a bed full of snow can create a useful space issue...

 

[RollTideRam]

Two drums laying between the wheel wells, old tires for a rubber bumper, straps over the drums. Fill with water for weight, pull the bung to drain next spring. JC

 

[studor]

Tires filled with cement sounds like a lot of work -- Old feedbags full of sand -- if you get stuck you shovel sand out of the feedbags as a traction aid. If they freeze to the bed, so much the better. Have been in accidents and they never came out of the bed (lots of other things have though) Probably the only thing worse than an empty pickup for traction on ice and snow is an old Camaro. Tires help but still need a little weight is a necessary addition. I have driven and gotten stuck in pick-ups all my life (two wheel and four wheel) and anyone who thinks that just putting it in four wheel drive will solve the inherent traction problem should probably plan to stay in warmer climes -- JMHO

 

[farmboy12]

I think what it comes down to is everyone needs a nice, hot wife, a truck, heavy tractor and trailer, and tow it around all winter! The tongue weight would be great! Then when you get really stuck, you can unload the tractor, have the wife get on and push/pull you out of the snow!

How's that?


Kyle

 

[asylum575]

Kyle,

Aren't you supposed to be in school? LOL. How do you know to make wife kokes so early in life.

 

[Egon]

Tires filled with cement sounds like a lot of work

It would also make for a hard ride would it not?

 

[aczlan]

It would also make for a hard ride would it not?

it would probably make it harder to stop as well.

Aaron Z

 

[farmboy12]

Kyle,

Aren't you supposed to be in school? LOL. How do you know to make wife kokes so early in life.

Thanksgiving week.

A country boy hangs around the older guys many times! I learn! I'm young, but am very quick witted b/c of hangin around guys young and old.