why do you use sand and not just a pile of firewood ?

 

I like to have the sand because if you get stuck on ice, you can cut open a tube and spill it out for traction. Also, 6 or 7 sand bags are quicker to load an unload then 50 pieces of fire wood. I have also used cider blocks in the past, and they work ok too. Some people shovel snow into the back of their trucks for weight, but that is a lot of work, escpecially when your truck has 6" of lift.

 

I have lived in CT since 1979, and we get some decent New England storms. I have never needed to use bags of sand or wood...etc. I used to shovel the snow in to the back of the bed of my Ranger for extra weight. LOL, hey, I was young and i needed to get the snow out of the driveway.

When I had my 95 F-150, it was heavy enough to only need 4x4 when starting and stopping like my Ram, anything inbetween in 4x4 is useless. It doesn't do anything when turning or cruising. (obviously driving with respect for the road conditions). I engage 4x4 when I am making a lane change or accelerating heavily. Otherwise, the F-150 and my Ram are about the same in snow.

If you do put weight in the back, they recommend nothing hard, like wood or cinder blocks. Incase you do get in to an accident, you don't want these items to come through the rear window or out of the bed and hit someone.
I have two relatives and a friend who use this *see image*.
It holds a lot of water (400lbs worth), and very durable and they are cheap. it secures well to the bed.

 

Well, i've been driving in Colorado snow and ice since I was old enough to drive. I'm not saying I "need" to use sand bags, but it definitely makes a difference, so i guess I can say that I prefer to use them. I could get by without them, but the going is much easier and traction is better with the weight. The only time I use 4x4 is if I am trying to get going from a stop and i'm on an incline, or in deep snow. Most other conditions, it is just unnecessary and i'd rather not put unnecessary wear and tear on the transfer case and 4x4 components.

I'm not a fan of those water bladders because they take up too much space in the bed for my liking. And if they freeze, that would be a pain to get it out of the bed if you needed to haul something. I take the sand tubes in and out often during the winter to haul stuff or when the weather is good for a spell. Also, all my garden hoses are put away for the winter, so filling one of those up throughout the winter after I empty it out to take it out of the truck would be a real pain.

 

i'm with you on this one silver i do the same thing and putting weight on the axles you gain more bite at the wheels and putting it in the very back you pull weight off your frt wheels yes 4x4 are good without extra weight but better with it

 

I am sure Colorado gets more snow than us in New England, if we get snow its usually under a foot, and plowed quickly after. So I have no need to keep the weight in the back for those few snowy days.
If there was snow on the ground more often than not, then sure, add the weight. I know people love the studded snow tires around here.
Plus they salt and sand the sh*t out of the roads here, my doors are proof (before I fixed them).
I know 2wd guys load their trucks up alot around here.

 

I just made it home after an hour commute... normally takes about 20minutes.... Toledo, Ohio just got slammed by a snow squal and the bridges are a sheet of ICE! there is over 50 accidents just on I-75! Anyways... I had the CB on and kept on truckin and made it with out a worry.. I saw 3 dodge ram 1500's in the ditch... stupid guys down know how to drive a rig... anyways.. I don't use sand but I like to use guardrail posts... the weight about 70lb each and fit nice in my bed... I put about 5 or 6 in but you really don't need the weight at all.. just slow the puch down!

 

boy u aint kiddin we got some snow i was in the garage and my brother said damn its snowing good went from wet and cold to 1.5 snow covered iced roads in an hour thats ohio for ya

 

Sounds fun. Be careful out there. We haven't gotten our first big one yet, just a few quick fronts that left a trace and ice behind. Waiting for the first big snow.

 

http://www.cranecams.com/?show=brows...tType=camshaft

thats my cam. pretty mild, sounds good tho and does make a noticeable difference



as far as the 4WD with sand. i really only need it out here in the sticks of central NY. our town doesnt have plows, and we get a good amount of snow. so the roads only get plowed by ppl that want to do it, which means yer always in snow. plus id like the weight for more traction when pullin people out of ditches, which happens all the time.