Searched through bunch of threads, though lots of different info..

Some say 100lbs, some say 500lbs. What would be the ideal amount before getting into any negative effects of having too much weight?

As well, put them directly over the axle? I'd imagine at the far rear it would apply more force at the wheels due to leverage. Though perhaps that would cause the back end to sway out more...

Thanks!

 

I don't know too much about winter driving, but 500 lbs sounds like too much weight.

 

put the weight before the axle (up closest to the cab) or you'll be drifting alot. my dad ran 8 cynder blocks, and did fine throughout the winters

 

I use six 70lb bags of sand placed just over or slightly in front of the rear axle. Also in my bed is my spare tire and some other misc stuff that probably weighs about another 100lbs combined. So that is around 500lbs total. I have tried more and less, and found that with my truck in the conditions I drive in, this is usually the most effective amount. It makes a noticable difference. In fact, I rarely if ever, use 4x4 through most of the winter unless I am specifically going out in the deep stuff to play. I have still yet to use it this winter in fact, and we've had several good snows, and plenty of ice.

 

the more the better. 500-1000. you want to pin the tires down to the ground so they can get traction. a pile of firewood works good. 500 is not that much. think of it this way - 500 pounds is only equivalent to a couple of big men sitting in the back.

 

I had almost 2,000 pounds in there today.

 

Thanks for all the input! Definitely helped a lottt.

Yes it seems that you would want to put as much as possible for max traction, though I'd imagine there's a point where its too much...

aka when the added weight really affects your fuel economy over the course of the winter... as well as a dip in power due to the added weight...

Otherwise yeah I'd just load up 1k lbs, ha. (though its also not a big deal shifting into 4hi when needed)

 

You are correct, putting too much weight can result in decreased performance and gas mileage, so you want to try to find the weight that gives you max traction with the least perfromance hit. You will also have decreases in braking performance, so keep that in mind too if you plan to put an exorbitant amount of weight in the bed for winter traction. Additinally, if you do slide on ice despite the added weight, that extra weight will actually make it harder to regain control. So there is a point were it becomes a double edged sword.

 

we just got hit with a huge snow storm up here and i havent had any problems with no weight. i have a leveli ng kit and 33" M/T's though and in 4wd i only swayed when i wanted to.

 

You do not want to get to much weight behind the rear axle. If you put to much weight behind the axles the rear of the truck will be harder to stop so when going around corners it will want to go out from behind you cuz it wants to keep following the same path