Hello all,

This is my first post on the site. I'm currenlty working on the papperwork for my 2006 Dodge Dakota SLT. Well this is my first truck and I live in Michigan where the winters can get bad anyway I know I need to throw some extra weight in my bed during the winter, but I don't know how much weight. Also I've been looking as something called the ShurTrax. It is supposed to add about 300 Ilbs. Problem is I don't know if this is enough weight. Also I don't know if its worth the $120. Basically its a durable bag you fill with water to add weight, Claims it can take 500 Ilbs. of weight on it (as long as its not sharp or in on top of it in a way that will puncture it), and lastly it claims to last for years. I just wanted to know peoples opinions and/or other advice on the Truck and traction in the winter.

 

Welcome tot he forums. I live in Colorado and I personally don't put anything in the bed for weight during winter. The truck does fine without it. Most people that I know who add weight put 100 - 300 pounds in the bed. Sand bags will do just fine insead of wasting a lot of money on a waterbed for your truck. Use that money to make it go a littel faster.I think if you just get good tires you will be fine though. Mine came with the BFG All-terrain T/A tires and those tires absolutley love the snow, they told me!

I did add weight in the bed of an F-250 2WD that I was using for a couple of days for work. There was a lot of snow on the ground and the truck had crappy tires on it. I put 1100 pounds of sand in the bed and that thing was still all over the place. I also got stuck once and had to dig out. That was a joke.

 

2WD vs 4WD make a huge difference in whether you need wieght. If it is a 4WD i would say that you should be alright without the wieght. 2WD you probably want to put about 200-400lbs in the back to help out with the traction. I would reccommed putting the wieght directly on top of or in front of the axle centerline. Overloading behind the axle will screw with your handling characteristics.

I have never tried the Shurtrax but it looks neat. I have always just used sandbags and they work just fine.

 

Yeah, I forgot to mention it is a 4x2 3.7L V6 6-Spd Manual.

 

Yes, 2WD vs 4WD makes a difference but to tell you the truth I only put mine in 4WD when I want to mess around a lot. Even then I leave it in 2WD most of the time until I actually get stuck. I've only had to switch it into 4WD a couple of times. Of coarse I have the added comfort of having it there when I need it. So, if I were you and you didn't feel comfortable without the weight then I would throw a few hundred pounds back there and call it good. Bring a shovel too, just in case!

 

Welcome to the forum. You'll love your truck once you get in it and drive.

As far as traction, that shur trax is a good bet. The reason I say that is because they're cheap, they work, and you can re-use it next year. Sandbags are dirty and don't last very long.

 

Welcome. I have the same setup, an 06 4x2 V6 6-spd. I put 265-75-r16 tires on it with aggressive tread. The tires are like "Chaparral" brand or somthing, but actually very good. I had no trouble getting through the big snow we got here last week in ny.

Your going to love this truck. I love the standard tranny and it makes it alot of fun. Isnt it a great 4x2? Shares most of the 4x4 suspension components, leaving the truck tall and beefy. My father hates that my truck, especially with the 3" larger tires, has more ground clearance and sits higher then his 4x4 ranger, lol.

Hope you have good luck with it. Not alot of v6 guys here, but Its a good motor and really isnt effected much by a big payload.

 

My First Dakota was a 1995 SLT V8 2wd and need about 300lbs of sand to get traction... Right by the tail gate is the best place to put the sand bags or box.

Always had 4wd after cause here in Canada, when it snow, it snows.

Welcome to the Dakotas family and hope you get as much luck as I got with all my 5 Dakota's!

 

First of all, it is always best to put the weight the furthest back possible. Second of all, dont waste your money on any type of system for that, just get about 5-6 sandbags or water softner salt. This is quite cheap and the reason I say get one of those two is because if you get stuck (and believe me, at one point you will) you just break open a bag and pour it on your tires, wait about 5-10 minutes and you are ready to go. Good luck, have fun in your truck!!

 

Welcome to the forum! I have a 4x2, too and I'm from PA--our winters aren't as bad as MI, but we get hit a few times a year with some nasty stuff. I use sand bags. I usually use 4-50 pound bags, placed right on the axle (and they usually slide up a few inches towards the front as I stop and start). That amount of weight seems pretty adequate for me, but I also have a topper on there, which also provides a decent amount of weight.

You can get them at Lowe's for a few dollars ($5-10) and if they're taken care of, they'll last quite awhile. Plus, if you get real stuck, you can cut a sand bag open and use the sand for traction. The ShurTrax could be what you want, even though it isn't as economical, it should last longer. I'd just worry about having a 500 lbs block of ice in my bed.

Good luck and welcome!