Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Ben on December 10, 2021, 11:10:29 AM
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What do you real Winter guys like to put in your pickup bed for extra traction? I haven't done anything since I've been here, but have mostly been driving my 4Runner if I need to go somewhere when it's snowy or icy.
I was thinking of throwing something between the wheel wells in the bed of my 2wd truck with AT tires. Right now I have a bunch of sandbags and piles of sand lying around, so that seems the most expedient. Something better to use? How much weight do you guys put in the back?
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Two or three bodies. I understand that you can find 'em just laying in the streets these days.
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RWD I would use sand bags. They don’t shift or slide around and if you need to you can throw some sand down on ice for some gain of traction. I would carry enough to give you fairly even weight distribution with the front- not much heavier or lighter than what the front puts on the road.
And keep a shovel onboard.
In my Jeep I have a “chain box” ie old wooden ammo crate with chains, shackles (D shackles and 2 soft shackles), tow strap, tree straps, pulley block for winch line, concrete form stakes, heavy hand sledge, and some gloves.
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I asked that exact question here back in 2008 (time flies!)
https://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=16839
That truck was moderately useless in low traction situations, weight or no. I've since replaced it with a slightly newer 4x4 F250, which is fantastic.
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I don't plan on driving the truck in bad conditions, but even in "good" conditions, the roads between my house and town or the highway can have icy patches, so it's more a precaution thing if I have to run to the Home Despot or something that I can't do with the 4Runner. I have that rear axle lock thingy (it auto shuts off at like 25mph though) for my F150, and also carry both a shove and a set of Autosocks in it.
Nobody here drives, or even sells, apparently, 2WD trucks, and a while back I was thinking about selling my F150 and getting a 4WD F150. A great advantage to the 4WD F150, even over my offroad beast 4Runner, is that it has a fulltime 4WD setting, so if I'm in those situations where it's mostly good road but you can hit some icy/snowy areas, you're good to go. The 4Runner only has part time 4WD, so I'm often turning it on and off, and that's just if I see a problem area. That doesn't help much with stuff like black ice.
If I were prescient, I would have mad the swap at the beginning of the covid, when between the popularity of used trucks, and the crazy incentives Ford was giving, even losing some dough because of the 2WD, I could have put myself in my identical setup except 4WD for a few thousand dollars. Those days are over for a while.
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Sandbags, a couple hundred pounds on the tailgate end, and a good set of chains behind the seat. I'd throw in a small shovel and a pair of insulated gloves, too.
Might see if anyone has a decent pair of used M/S or snow tires in your truck's size. It's been my experience that most AT tires royally suck in snow conditions.
Brad
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Back when I used to have a 2WD truck I would put a couple of 50# sandbags in the bed.
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4x4 just means you can get out of the ditch easier after you slide in...
Drive like you have an egg under your foot, and go medium slow, and then get your TOW STRAP out when you come up on one of the idjits in their nice SUV who passed you because they had 4x4 AWD and were invincible until they slid into a ditch...
(oh, and Mercedes traction control rocks, but that stuff only goes so far)
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A big round hay bale.
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Sandbags, 300-400# is typical in Iowa for the rare 2wd 1/2 or 3/4 ton pickup. Tire chains are nice if you have deep snow or constant ice pack. You put those on and off as needed, don't leave them on all winter, hard on roads and tires.
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I used to put 3 or 4 bags of portland cement -- 94# each -- in the back of mine, way in the back behind the wheel wells. The snow and rain hardened them into blocks with ribbed bottoms that matched the truck bed so they didn't slide side-to-side. (I never had them slide forward either but that was a possibility) Also when I switched to skinny tires that helped a lot. I had this idea to cast some lead rear bumper weights, but I got rid of the truck before I ever got around to that.
I've got a new (to me) 3/4 ton 2WD with enormous fat tires, and I'm thinking about getting a pallet of concrete blocks for it; I will use them in the spring to make raised garden beds. OTOH, 3500 pounds might be too much for winter traction. Maybe I'll just get 500 pounds of blocks for now and see how that goes.
You might think filling the bed up with ice is a good idea, but it's not. It will really speed up the rust.
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Sandbags, a couple hundred pounds on the tailgate end, and a good set of chains behind the seat. I'd throw in a small shovel and a pair of insulated gloves, too.
Might see if anyone has a decent pair of used M/S or snow tires in your truck's size. It's been my experience that most AT tires royally suck in snow conditions.
Brad
AT tires work great in the snow, it's the mud "only" tires that suck.
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Are studded tires legal there? Put 'em on when things get gnarsty, take 'em off when stuff melts...
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We used a layer or two of concrete blocks and bags of coarse sand on top of that. If we would get where we needed more traction, we'd break open a bag of sand.
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I've got 4 bags of concrete that got wet several years ago.
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I always used sandbags.
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AT tires work great in the snow, it's the mud "only" tires that suck.
I didn't catch that in Brad's post. Yeah, I have zero problems with AT tires with the old mountain snowflake. I mean, nothing beats snow tires, but for the not crazy Winters we get here, and sensible driving, ATs are fine. I'm running Hankook ATMs on the 4Runner and only had one "ice slide" last year, right in front of my driveway. :laugh:
As for studded tires, they are legal here, but again, my area of Idaho doesn't get inundated with snow, so it would be overkill for me, especially since being an unemployed bum, if it's that bad, I stay home in front of the fire. =)
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I will generally put 6-7 bags of "tube sand" which usually run 60# in the back of the truck. I'll put 3 of them in the back of the Wrangler.
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At the Lake of the Ozarks, when I was there, we would do studded in the winter months. Didn't do much for snow, but you could get going on ice.
But they didn't help much with steering if you were going too fast. Nothing does.
Currently, one of the kids who I have to work with is running street slicks on his go fast straight line fast and furious thing... He's gonna discover real fun some evening soon...
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When I was in college I had a 1972 VW super beetle with a set of studded Michelins snow tires for winter. That thing would go almost anywhere. During the superstorm of ‘78/79 I drove around stuck 4x4s
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I've got five 40pound bags of water softener salt in the back of my 2wd 2004 Colorado..and a set of snow tires. Gets around pretty good in the snow.
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I actually had the wife get all the way in the back of the van (1966 E-100 Ford) and jump up and down. She has never forgiven me but we got to the tire shop where I worked and put some better tires on the back of that thing!
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Sandbags seem to be the most popular option. I'll give them a go since I already have the fixins.
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I will generally put 6-7 bags of "tube sand" which usually run 60# in the back of the truck. I'll put 3 of them in the back of the Wrangler.
Same here. Currently have 5 bags between the wheel wells of my pickup. It helps.
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I've got five 40pound bags of water softener salt in the back of my 2wd 2004 Colorado..and a set of snow tires. Gets around pretty good in the snow.
This is a great idea if you hate your vehicle and want it to rust out so badly that it hardly even has any scrap value.
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Ice blocks. Removes itself as needed as the weather warms.
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Cheapest 40 or 50 lb bags of sand or gravel from Home Depot. Usually about 5 or 6 of them in the bed over the axle. That way if you get stuck in snow or ice you can use a bag for additional traction.
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Instead of putting it over the axle, try putting it behind the axle -- all the way against the tailgate. It will take a little weight off the front wheels and send it to the back.
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^ Do you really want weight off the front wheels? ???
Never did much hairy-assed driving if it was too bad when I had trucks, but for minor traction problems I kept kitty litter laced with table salt in the car.
"I used to put 3 or 4 bags of portland cement -- 94# each -- in the back of mine, way in the back behind the wheel wells. The snow and rain hardened them into blocks with ribbed bottoms that matched the truck bed so they didn't slide side-to-side."
I like that idea, will forward to my sons who do winter driving.
Me, if it's reaally bad, Subaru full time 4WD notwithstanding, I stay home and dig into my 72-hour stash of non-perishable food and powdered milk
Re 72 hours, as an aside, I keep a goodly number of Hormel Compleats packaged meals on hand. They keep for 10 percent of forever without refrigeration and can be eaten cold if necessary,
Never heard of snow socks before, will research them, but frankly, I don't do much outdoors any more if the weather is anything but 65°F +/- 30°, 10 mph +/- 5 mph wind, and humidity is 50% +/- 25%.
=D
I'm not actually that fragile yet, but outside of those brackets, outdoor stuff requires a decision and possible waiting.
Terry, 230RN
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First thing, get good tires winter tire. maybe with spikes or may set of chains. I used Army sand bags, they where free. I filled them up myself and the bags where about 30lb each. I put 10 sand bags over the axle/ rear tires.( 300ish pound ) This worked fine with my 2 wheel drive truck, i had for 2 winters in Alaska.
The best vehicle for 9 months of frozen roads, is a front wheel dive car with spiked tires.
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"Sandbags seem to be the most popular option. I'll give them a go since I already have the fixins."
Tell Steve to get his lazy ass out of the truck and push!
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I've been thinking about this question since last winter, but I was too busy to do much about it. So I had to buy some more bags last week, and throw 'em in the back of the truck. I've used sandbags for years, but I think I'm going to get one of those water bladder things. Have any of y'all tried those?
One problem with tube-sand is that exposure to the elements seems to really weaken those bags, and they start spilling sand everywhere. Eventually, they have be replaced, and I'm left with a bunch of sand. I thought about building a box to put the bags inside, or a set of small boxes - one bag per box. I guess that might be cheaper than a water bladder, but not by much. And the individual boxes would make the heavy sandbags even heavier for me to move.
The other 2 problems are having to store the sand in the off-season, and just the fact they're such a pain to move around.
I used to have a great solution to all those problems. When I worked for the mall, I kept the bags on a wooden pallet that fit neatly between the wheel wells of my Tacoma. In the spring, I'd lift it out with the forklift at work, and put it somewhere in the cavernous, indoor loading dock area. Being shielded from the sun for most of the year, and laying flat at all times, the bags lasted for years. Once I had them on the pallet, they were easy to move. Just drop the pallet back in my truck, come autumn.
But that is no longer my situation.
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What about a couple of cheap storage totes you can fill with sand/rocks/gravel/etc.? Strap/tarp/tape the lids on and secure them in your truck bed, one per side. Maybe even wrap them in heavy plastic in case they shatter from cold. Treat them as disposables under a presumption they'll likely be trash by the end of winter. Once done, you can scoop out enough sand to make getting the remainder out a more manageable task.
Kobalt 24 gallon totes with latching lids are $35 from Lowes. At 90 lbs a cubic foot, you should be able to get 200+ lbs in them.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Kobalt-24-Gallon-Weatherproof-Tote/5001968209
Brad
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Cinder blocks. I think they are about 35 pounds each for the 8x8x16"s and cost less than $2, and they don't deteriorate. You might want to cinch a nylon strap around them to hold them together so they don't slide around.
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I used to keep a row of 30cal ammo cans full of lead in my truck. The bed was notched for a cross board that would leave just enough space for the cans by the tailgate.
It worked great until ammo cans and lead became valuable enough for lowlifes to steal.
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I've always used the "tube sand" I can get about any hardware store or lumber yard. After a season the bags are usually about sun rotted so they go in the grandkids
litterbox sandbox and I keep a five gallon bucket of sand around for various uses. I also keep a plastic coffee can full of sand by the front and back doors to deal with ice.
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The tube sand has been working well for me. I was gonna make them myself back when this thread started, but the farm store had the 60lb tubes for $4 each, so I just pulled up and loaded four. One of them ripped a little when I put it in the bed this season, but I just grabbed some duct tape. I will probably take them to my shooting range after this season and toss them behind the target backstop, and get new ones next year.
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Cinder blocks. I think they are about 35 pounds each for the 8x8x16"s and cost less than $2, and they don't deteriorate. You might want to cinch a nylon strap around them to hold them together so they don't slide around.
I hadn't really thought about them, but if they weigh that much, I could definitely make that work. I'd make it complicated, though. Probably put them on a sheet of plywood, with 2x4s screwed down around the edges, to keep them in place. Then attach the lumber to anchor points with chain or cable.
See, I turned a $20 project into a $65 project that will take me 2-3 Saturdays. It is my way.
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I've been thinking about this question since last winter, but I was too busy to do much about it. So I had to buy some more bags last week, and throw 'em in the back of the truck. I've used sandbags for years, but I think I'm going to get one of those water bladder things. Have any of y'all tried those?
One problem with tube-sand is that exposure to the elements seems to really weaken those bags, and they start spilling sand everywhere. Eventually, they have be replaced, and I'm left with a bunch of sand. I thought about building a box to put the bags inside, or a set of small boxes - one bag per box. I guess that might be cheaper than a water bladder, but not by much. And the individual boxes would make the heavy sandbags even heavier for me to move.
The other 2 problems are having to store the sand in the off-season, and just the fact they're such a pain to move around.
I used to have a great solution to all those problems. When I worked for the mall, I kept the bags on a wooden pallet that fit neatly between the wheel wells of my Tacoma. In the spring, I'd lift it out with the forklift at work, and put it somewhere in the cavernous, indoor loading dock area. Being shielded from the sun for most of the year, and laying flat at all times, the bags lasted for years. Once I had them on the pallet, they were easy to move. Just drop the pallet back in my truck, come autumn.
But that is no longer my situation.
Just fill the boxes with sand, forget about the bag.
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Just fill the boxes with sand, forget about the bag.
I like the fact the bag would keep the sand from spilling out. And the sand I have is already in bags, so why not?
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As I mentioned a couple of years ago, I don't do much adventuring and physical exertion any more and retirement allows me to stick within about a four mile radius, all city. If I get stuck somewhere, I keep some salted kitty litter in the car and a shovel. And my cell phone.
When I had a truck, it usually had a huge camper on it.
Once when we were going skiing in my Greenbrier van with four more friends we got stuck in traffic on I-70, I mean really stuck. We agreed we weren't getting anywhere, so I decided to bound across the snowpacked median and I actually made it, thanks to the four extra weights in the car as well as the engine being back there.
Edited to add "snowpacked" for clarity.
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Just fill the boxes with sand, forget about the bag.
If you fill the boxes with sand, you need a forklift to get them out of the truck. If you leave the sand in bags in the boxes, you can unload the bags and remove the box if you don't have access to a forklift.
Leaving it in bags is the smarter option.
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"Greenbrier van"
My parents had a Greenbrier van when I was really little. I VAGUELY remember it. I think it was blue and white. I THINK it was the Corvair Greenbrier.
When it got wrecked, Mom and Dad got a 1970 Chevelle Greenbrier station wagon.
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If you fill the boxes with sand, you need a forklift to get them out of the truck. If you leave the sand in bags in the boxes, you can unload the bags and remove the box if you don't have access to a forklift.
Leaving it in bags is the smarter option.
He was talking about 1 bag sized boxes.
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What do you real Winter guys like to put in your pickup bed for extra traction? I haven't done anything since I've been here, but have mostly been driving my 4Runner if I need to go somewhere when it's snowy or icy.
I was thinking of throwing something between the wheel wells in the bed of my 2wd truck with AT tires. Right now I have a bunch of sandbags and piles of sand lying around, so that seems the most expedient. Something better to use? How much weight do you guys put in the back?
A few bags of cat litter (for traction) or road salt.
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Offer the loader operator at the dock company 25 bucks to drop a scoop of road gravel in the bed and get it for free.
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"Greenbrier van"
My parents had a Greenbrier van when I was really little. I VAGUELY remember it. I think it was blue and white. I THINK it was the Corvair Greenbrier.
When it got wrecked, Mom and Dad got a 1970 Chevelle Greenbrier station wagon.
"The name Chevrolet Greenbrier was used by Chevrolet for two vehicles. The first vehicles were a six-to-nine-passenger window van version of the Corvair 95 van. Wikipedia"
That was like mine. We moved out to Colorado in the early 60s in it:
https://www.corvair.org/chapters/corvanatics/files/greenbrier/SRS8door1.jpg
"The Corvair 95 series also included the Loadside pickup truck and Rampside pickup truck that featured a mid-body ramp on the right side. All used the Corvair powertrain in a truck body and were produced in the model years 1961 to 1965. The Greenbrier name was used a second time from 1969 until 1972; for the mid-level Chevelle station wagon. Wikipedia"
Great fun vehicle, but you didn't want to get in a significant front end accident. With no engine in front, you wouldn't have any legs left.
When camping, my usual ballast was lots and lots of guns and ammo.
I remember now that the friends in my Greenbrier said that other vehicles were also crossing the median in the path I had broken.
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Sorry, maybe I don’t understand something, but why do you all buy pickup and at the same time they are always empty and you have to put sandbags in the back?))
The fact is that I do a little (optional) work on accessories for pickup trucks (canopys, lids), but all my clients use pickups for utilitarian purposes (construction, landscaping, service), rarely does anyone use a pickup to move their own ass only…
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Sounds like on-the-job, you just see them on-the-job, but off-the-job they haul their own asses around and you aren't there. A lot of people only have the truck for all day-to-day driving.
Myself, I used the Lamborghini when not using the pick-um-up.
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A block of concrete in the bed would make a really effective anti personnel round for the driver and passenger in the event of a collision.
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A block of concrete in the bed would make a really effective anti personnel round for the driver and passenger in the event of a collision.
So you're playing the inertia card? I saw something recently about the dangers of leaving heavy crap on the back window shelf of a car in case of a sudden stop, e.g., due to a collision. "A heavy crap in motion tends to stay in motion." As it were. I think old Ike Newsom or somebody pointed that out.
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Sorry, maybe I don’t understand something, but why do you all buy pickup and at the same time they are always empty and you have to put sandbags in the back?))
The fact is that I do a little (optional) work on accessories for pickup trucks (canopys, lids), but all my clients use pickups for utilitarian purposes (construction, landscaping, service), rarely does anyone use a pickup to move their own a** only…
Because, Karen. Because. =)
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Huh. I never realized that owning a pick up REQUIRED someone to be using it for hauling for work 24x7x365.
Using it for personal hauling? Say for mulch for your yard, stone for your landscape, appliances, lumber from the home store, etc. That apparently isn't a reason to have a pick up so all of you posers with empty picks ups you don't use 24x7x365 for WORK! are just that... POSERS!
I guess I'm a poser for owning an AWD SUV but not going off road 24x7x365. Or, really, ever.
;/
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Whereas I'll bust balls on Americans who tell me I don't need a truck, I'm giving Opportunity a break here. It's pretty common that Europeans don't comprehend our love of trucks, and are genuinely surprised, when they visit here, regarding the number of pickups on the road. It's a cultural disconnect.
That said, even a 100% work truck is gonna be empty sometimes and might need weight in the back. If I'm going to the home depot to buy 50 concrete blocks to build a wall, I'm kinda stuck if I drive there with the bed already full of stuff, versus with a layer of sandbags or whatever laid out on the bottom that I can stack stuff on top of. =)
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Whereas I'll bust balls on Americans who tell me I don't need a truck, I'm giving Opportunity a break here. It's pretty common that Europeans don't comprehend our love of trucks, and are genuinely surprised, when they visit here, regarding the number of pickups on the road. It's a cultural disconnect.
That said, even a 100% work truck is gonna be empty sometimes and might need weight in the back. If I'm going to the home depot to buy 50 concrete blocks to build a wall, I'm kinda stuck if I drive there with the bed already full of stuff, versus with a layer of sandbags or whatever laid out on the bottom that I can stack stuff on top of. =)
POSER!
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A few bags of cat litter (for traction) or road salt.
My real-world experience with kitty litter is that is turns to slimy clay once it gets wet.
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Sorry, maybe I don’t understand something, but why do you all buy pickup and at the same time they are always empty and you have to put sandbags in the back?))
The fact is that I do a little (optional) work on accessories for pickup trucks (canopys, lids), but all my clients use pickups for utilitarian purposes (construction, landscaping, service), rarely does anyone use a pickup to move their own ass only…
I'm looking for a vehicle to replace my current truck, I really want to go the mid-sized SUV route with a cargo trailer. The problem I am running into is my boat/motor/trailer weighs more than the 2000# towing capacity of most of the midsized SUVs (and my popup camper is close to 2000# loaded up). I'm finding out that I'm probably going to have to go with a pick up to fit most of my vehicle needs. I also live alone and I'm not really interested in owning 2 vehicles either, so I'm trying to find a one size fits all. Trust me, I hate paying for the gas in 4x4 truck to go road tripping.
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Sounds like on-the-job, you just see them on-the-job, but off-the-job they haul their own asses around and you aren't there. A lot of people only have the truck for all day-to-day driving.
Myself, I used the Lamborghini when not using the pick-um-up.
If you want to have a single, true, all-purpose vehicle, Lamborghini makes tractors.
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I'm looking for a vehicle to replace my current truck, I really want to go the mid-sized SUV route with a cargo trailer. The problem I am running into is my boat/motor/trailer weighs more than the 2000# towing capacity of most of the midsized SUVs (and my popup camper is close to 2000# loaded up). I'm finding out that I'm probably going to have to go with a pick up to fit most of my vehicle needs. I also live alone and I'm not really interested in owning 2 vehicles either, so I'm trying to find a one size fits all. Trust me, I hate paying for the gas in 4x4 truck to go road tripping.
My wife's Bronco Sport Badlands can tow 2,200 lbs. I'd call it more of a compact SUV, but it's a nice little ride, and roomier than it has any right to be on the inside.
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My wife's Bronco Sport Badlands can tow 2,200 lbs. I'd call it more of a compact SUV, but it's a nice little ride, and roomier than it has any right to be on the inside.
Not enough for my boat when fully loaded with fuel and sundries.
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My Kiwi friends don't get the attraction of pickups. They argue for a tow package and a small trailer. Idea being you're not hauling around the trailer when you don't need it, and whatever car you have will be better for the 95% of its use.
They have a point but then you have to be able to store said trailer when not in use. And that car (or SUV) might not have the towing capacity for what you need when you do haul stuff.
Plus, red-blooded 'Muricans just like pickups more.
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here you go. 7,000 lb towing capacity.
https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/model/g-class/suv/g63w4
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Isn't the 'ute still really popular in Australia?
I think that's where the entire concept originated back in the 1930s.
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Isn't the 'ute still really popular in Australia?
I think that's where the entire concept originated back in the 1930s.
I saw a bunch while I was there last summer, so I'd say yeah, although there were a lot of HiLuxs and Rangers too.
Not enough for my boat when fully loaded with fuel and sundries.
Yeah I can see that. You're probably up into the 4Runner/Explorer/Pathfinder sized SUVs, which while technically called "Mid-Sized" are getting big and pricey. They aren't quite trucks, but the new Ford Maverick w/ Tow package pulls 4k and a Ridgeline pulls 5k.
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What's with these people driving around in Corollas all by themselves? They should all be riding motorcycles, says I!
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With a 2008 Ford Ranger 2WD, one or two rows of firewood slightly higher than the sides and cinched down with ratchet straps seems to work well. Then I also have it handy for my fireplace - like now (14 at 7 a.m. with a WC of ZERO). >:D
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[quote author=dogmush link=topic=65760.msg1424087#msg1424087 date=1704991027
Yeah I can see that. You're probably up into the 4Runner/Explorer/Pathfinder sized SUVs, which while technically called "Mid-Sized" are getting big and pricey. They aren't quite trucks, but the new Ford Maverick w/ Tow package pulls 4k and a Ridgeline pulls 5k.
[/quote]
Ideally, I want an older low miles Jeep Grand Cherokee, I'm not buying new. I prefer a RWD over a FWD when not engaged in 4x4. I also don't want AWD either. Also, something I can easily lift 3-4" too.