Do you put weight in your bed for winter driving?

This is my first time owning a truck. I remember back in the day my dad always put bags of sand or some sort of weight in the bed of the truck for winter. How many of you do this? Is there a specific reason why? I live in Maine so winters can be pretty brutal here and there are no "snow days" for my work so I'm driving in all conditions. Just looking for some input - thanks!

 

I'm in the same boat as you, this will be my first winter with my Tacoma. I'm thinking about throwing 3 50lb bags of sand in the front of the bed above the axel. When spring comes, I'd have to buy about that much to replenish the kids' sandbox anyway. My FJ had enough weight in the back that it didn't matter, but I'm going to try the sand this year.

 

I live on a farm, so I use my Tacoma as a truck. I put in a Tractor Supply Horse Mat. It protects the bed, deadens road noise, limits stuff sliding around, and adds rear end weight. Easy to cut to fit with the use of WD-40 and a razor knife.

Additionally, I did the ABS disconnect switch mode to disable the ABS for icy roads. That works wonders. Instructions for that DIY project are posted on the TW.

 

I'm on road mostly and have E tires which are hard and not complaint when cold. so i have two 50lb bags, one over each wheel. it helps noticeably before the tires warm up. I'm normally spinning tires endlessly on cold mornings, and this is a perfect fix.

 

I've had to put 2x 40lb tube bag of sand in the back of my 05 Prerunner for the last 2 winter's here in Wisconsin.

Now I have a 4wd OR with a ARE camper shell and bed mat, so we'll see how it handles the snowy roads and trails.

 

If and when the roads get treacherous here, I put about 6 sand bags in the bed of the truck over the rear axles. About 250lbs.

 

I am waiting to see.


My 1985 SR5 RWD. Mandatory.

My 2019? Unsure. Probably though.

 

Yup. I put 300 pounds of bagged dirt in the bed. In the spring Ill then use them around the house. Living in Ohio they do help with traction. I seldom have any problems getting around.

 

Sounds like it might be the right way to go. Do you think having dedicated winters versus all seasons would lessen the need for the weight? I'm assuming the tires really would impact braking more than anything. I ice fish a decent amount in the winter so sacrificing some bed space is kind of brutal but if it's the right move I'll likely do it.

 

Take a look at Duratrac's, they are rated for snow and are a good AT/MT hybrid tire.

 

First winter with a pickup but in thinking my camper shell should be enough weight

 

I used this:

$134 ShurTrax CLW0048 Winter Traction Control System for Compact Pickup Trucks

https://www.amazon.com/ShurTrax-CLW0048-Traction-Control-Compact/dp/B005IZDVWG when I owned a 2wd pick-up. Even on tires near their end of life I never had an issue. We don't get super-bad winters here, but the winter I used both of those in, we had some significant snowfalls.

I haven't used anything in this truck, but I don't think we've had any large amounts of snow since I got it.

 

I put (6) 50 lb bags of gravel all the way front of the bed with straps holding them in place.
Too far back lifts the front, and if not secured the weight can move around.
We use the gravel after winter.

I have a cap, and do not think it is enough.

 

First time pickup driver in a harsh winter region- yes, you absolutely should add weight to the back, above the rear axle.

 

I have a regular cab 5 lug 2wd so weight is a must. The older lighter models are a bit ridiculous in the snow, but weight helps a ton. I put 200lbs of tools and sand plus my topper on that. I think the total weight must be something around 400lbs. I would definitly recommend weight on any RWD vehicle that is not in 4wd all the time

 

That's kinda neat but seems awfully expensive to just add some extra weight. Bags of solar salt/ sand/ dirt are cheap and can be used after the winter is over.

I didn't add any weight last winter but I think I might grab 5-6 bags of solar salt from the basement and throw them in the bed if we get any decent snow this year

 

No.

 

I use 2 50 lb bags of sand. Actually does help.

 

It is expensive, but two reasons made me want to spend the money. The first is that using salt, sand, or gravel would be fine, but I had nowhere to dispose of, or store it after winter was over. I had "borrowed" sand bags from work the year before and was able to return them, but the next year they weren't available. I also had little desire to clean the bed out afterwards. It causes a freaking mess.

My second reason (that sort of ties into the first) is that having all that sand in the bed would keep me from using the bed. The ShurTrax is able to be loaded on top of. And I tested it by moving furniture a few times the year I had it. It is also easy to remove in case it's needed.

 

X2 on duratracs