Pickup truck drivers, how much weight do you use in the back for driving in snow?

[Evadman]

Zero, but I have a bumper that weighs about 600 lbs more than the stock one, so I guess 600 lbs

Originally posted by: iluvtruenos
Yea, because most people are too retarded to understand that 4WD/AWD does dick when you're braking.

That statement is just plain wrong.

 

[iamwiz82]

I have 4wd, no need for extra weight.

 

[freakflag]

I've got a '99 Ranger 4x4 extended cab and usually put around 300# in the bed.
I like to have 2 bags of Halite and 2 bags of sand back there in case I get into a jam. If I'm stuck in really deep snow, I can break out the Halite and for ice I can throw down some sand.

 

[Linflas]

I just shovel snow from the driveway into my F-150. We generally don't get enough snow here for me to bother with sand bags.

 

[vi edit]

I've got 350 pounds in the back of mine. I've got 4WD but only use that when it's really nasty and the main roads are covered. If it's just side roads and parking lots that are covered the added weight keeps things from being dramatic.

 

[sswingle]

Originally posted by: DEMO24

Originally posted by: Rich3077

I just took my first decent length trip since adding the bags and traction
was good, but I noticed that I used much more gas than normal.
That is not good because I bought the thing because of the good gas mileage... well
that and I got a good deal on it.

:roll:

obviously

Wow!! Its amazing. Would never have guessed.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: iluvtruenos
Yea, because most people are too retarded to understand that 4WD/AWD does dick when you're braking.

That statement is just plain wrong.

How so?

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: iluvtruenos
Yea, because most people are too retarded to understand that 4WD/AWD does dick when you're braking.

That statement is just plain wrong.

How so?

4 wheel drive DOES assist while braking, most notably with a torque split transfer case.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: iluvtruenos
Yea, because most people are too retarded to understand that 4WD/AWD does dick when you're braking.

That statement is just plain wrong.

How so?

Not so much for braking as it does just overall slowing down the vehicle. When you have 4WD locked in you have an extra differential adding resistance to the forward motion of the vehicle. It slows you down much faster when you let off the gas than when you have it in 2WD or with a regular FWD vehicle. It's similar to engine braking with a manual transmission but not quite as dramatic.

With 4WD locked in I can slowly bring my vehicle to a stop without using the brake pedal.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Toyota Tacoma extracab 2x4. I have been using two 50 pound sacks of cheap landscaping gravel in the truck bed over the past two years. Place them in between the wheel well bumps directly over the axle. If you get stuck on a slick spot just throw a handful of gravel in front of the slipping tire for traction. The stock Bridgestone mud and snow tires are great for mud and sand, but suck on snow and ice. The treads get packed with snow. It?s like driving with bald tires, fishtails no mater how much weight is in back. In those conditions we just take the fwd mini-van with studded tires. Studs or chains for the truck cost an arm and a leg so it gets garaged during freezing rain. We only have about two weeks of snow or ice on the ground every year so I haven't had the need to buy truck studs or chains yet. I would not recommend driving a rwd without studded tires or chains.

 

[ShadowBlade]

9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
99999 picograms

 

[Evadman]

It's not just control, though that is a big part of it. Both my Zuk and Ram stop in roughly 1/2 the distance on snow with 4 wheel drive on.

Both have chain driven transfer cases, which require that the driveshafts spin at equal rates. (or something breaks) That means it is not possible to lock up just the front or just the rear tires during braking, you have to either lock one on the front or one the rear (assuming open diffs), or all 4. The braking power is actually transfered though the driveshafts to the wheel doing the most breaking mechanicly. this is not true of newer full time transfer cases.

I have rear lockers in both vehicles so that means I can only lock one front wheel (open front), or all 4, it is impossible to lock 2.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: Evadman
It's not just control, though that is a big part of it. Both my Zuk and Ram stop in roughly 1/2 the distance on snow with 4 wheel drive on.

Both have chain driven transfer cases, which require that the driveshafts spin at equal rates. (or something breaks) That means it is not possible to lock up just the front or just the rear tires during braking, you have to either lock one on the front or one the rear (assuming open diffs), or all 4. The braking power is actually transfered though the driveshafts to the wheel doing the most breaking mechanicly. this is not true of newer full time transfer cases.

I have rear lockers in both vehicles so that means I can only lock one front wheel (open front), or all 4, it is impossible to lock 2.

:Q Never thought of that. Why doesn't anyone cite that as a benefit of a transfer cases and limited slip differentials?

 

[montanafan]

I have a 4X4 Toyota Tacoma. I haven't needed any extra weight in the bed for driving on snowy roads, but there is a steep rutted dirt road that I sometimes have to drive up when it's snow covered and then I throw several cinderblocks in the back to help out. Going down that hill I just put it in 4-wheel drive low and let it coast slowly down, no need to use the brakes.

 

[Rich3077]

Originally posted by: Linflas
I just shovel snow from the driveway into my F-150. We generally don't get enough snow here for me to bother with sand bags.

Linflas... Damn dude... you win the prize for best reply to this post.
I felt kind of funny paying $3 for a 60 Lb bag of sand for weight when I knew
there had to be something cheaper.

I never thought about throwing my snow in there.

Sorry... probably something all pickup drivers know.. but this
is my first one.

Thanks


Peace
Rich

 

[wfbberzerker]

Originally posted by: paintballwebs

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker

Originally posted by: paintballwebs
I have a 98 ranger v6 3.0L and I use 350lbs. I live in Milwaukee, WI and have never really had problems with that much, although 500lbs sounds like alot. I would test it, as cmv said, with different weights and see what is best for your vehicle. I would also like to know what works best for you.

where in milwaukee?

Eastside, near Oakland and Locust, if you are familiar with the area.

oh gotcha, i'm actually getting a place relatively near there soon (kensington and oakland)

 

[Sphexi]

I had a 2WD (rear wheel) Toyota longbed, never had anything in the back, only issue I ever had was going up a steep hill with about an inch of snow on the road. Beyond that I got around town perfectly fine.

 

[AdamSnow]

I live in Ontario... so snow here is bad at times as well...

Drive a 2000 Dodge Dakota, and we put nothing in the back... we do have 4x4 though...