Any rule of thumb on weight over rear wheels?

[TMccarthy]

Snow's a comin' and I've got two different suggestions on how much weight is good over the rear wheels for xtra traction in the snow. Last year, I used 300 lbs over the rear axle. Slid sideways (correctable) only twice, at low speed. Any rule of thumb out there for what weight is the right weight?





2003 SLT Quad Cab 4X4 SB; HO Turbo with 6-spd, Anti-spin diff, Off road, trailer tow and snow plow prep pkgs.

 

[BHolm]

I don't know how to determine what would be "right" but I have about 500 lbs worth of sand bags between the wheel humps and the tailgate. We have lots of steep hills around and I can get up most of them, most of the time without 4x4. Tires make a big difference too, I have BFG At KOs on which are rated as a snow tire.



I am sure I could add more wieght back there too, the truck isn't sagging at all in back and I am nowhere near the overloads. The only thing to avoid is putting so much back there that you start to take pressure off the front tires. That would probably take 4 times what I have back there though.

 

[Eric_77]

I used to add 500 pounds of sand to a mini truck when I drove it in the snow.



WIth the new truck I have not added any weight but I based on the mini truck and how well it handled with 50% capactity I would think 1000 pounds min would be a start.

 

[JLovas]

Any rule of thumb out there for what weight is the right weight?



The more weight you have, the better traction you'll have. I've got 560 lbs of sand bags in my wife's pickup, and that's just a half ton Ford!



I've got a little over 2,000 lbs worth of tools and equipment in my box that's bolted down (see sig), and I'm don't consider myself any too heavy for winter/icy driving conditions. Remember, these diesels are very front heavy and need a lot of weight in the back to try and balance things out.

 

[Kennywould]

I run with 4- 80# bags of sand last winter in the 04', no problems whatsoever, in a pinch you can get out of a bad ice situation with the sand. I figured no reason to haul any more than you really have to, here in Pa. it can get pretty nasty ouy on these hills!

 

[J&LRam]

800-1000 lb min for a 4x2 " OVER" the axles. Puttin' the weight up against he tail gate works great in the pasture or going down muddy road but on the street going around a cornor on ice/snow pack can result in a 360 real quick... ..... JIM

 

[BHolm]

JIM, I think you exaggerate the effect of moving them to the back. I've been driving in snow and ice all my life and never had the problem you describe. In fact putting the sand bags behind the wheel wells puts more pressure on the tires negating the slight increase in polar moment of moving the wieght back two feet. I used to have 800 lbs in the back of my F-250 when I did snow plowing. I only used 500lbs this time because between the tires and the 4wd I am pretty sure I can tackle about anything mother nature has for me this winter

 

[WinRice]

Putting weight behind the back axle will slightly reduce the weight on the front axle, pure statics. That said, probably not enough to really matter with the weight of the Cummins.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Whatever you do please make sure that whatever weight you put back there is restrained. From this post ( https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67056&page=1 ):

pit bull. . I made a BIG ERROR to say the least LOL



my wife had recent surgery . . we took my rig to southern Calif. to visit a very sick relative prior to passing. .



well the bounce of the Dually was too much for my wife to drive home, so in my wisdom I went to the local Home Depot and bought a bunch of bagged sand [1200 lbs worth]. . well the truck was much smoother on the way home HeHe. . I left the damn things in there thinking I'll tie them down soon 'cause the ride was nice ... I had them all the way in the back of the bed for most effect for the ride

well soon didn't happen soon enough. . I took that 98. 5 rig over a cliff and those bags became a missile through the back window during the wreck. . I blew through 3 trees and the 4 one caught me [last chance before a 700 ft drop over the cliff]. . directly in front of the driver seat... . some of the bags made it to my head. . was not the best expierence I have ever had. . took 9 months before I went back to work.



Now you see why David VT and Bill say TIE THE DAMN THINGS DOWN !!!!



PS I retired early do to long term affects of the wreck. .

and more recently ( https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118204 ):

.

.

.

I am told that they had a welder in the back of the truck, not bolted down to the frame. When they collided, the welder shot forward and crushed my cousin.



Obviously a head-on wreck would be bad news in any event, but it is worth remembering that even in a MINOR collision something heavy in the back of your truck that is unsecured can rocket forward and inflict terrible damage - something most restraint systems are not designed to cope with.



Remember to secure your gear folks, don't end up like my cousin Jamie. He was 30 years old.

 

[TMccarthy]

Thanks, BHolm.



I'm going with 600 lbs. over the rear axle. If it slides, I'll go to 800.



Have a great Holiday!



TMcCarthy