400pounds+ to much weight in the bed for winter driving. Its to save me from using 4x4 after 1cm of snow. I bought 7 x 60 pound tube sand today and it almost feels to heavy. It did help a lot though. No wheel spin or slide at all under normal driving with 1-2 cm of snow.

For the other winter drivers out there, how much are you using if any ?

 

im runnin 350. know what you mean about it feeling like it's too much. but it def helped.

 

I run about ~300 lbs in my truck bed including the tool box. didn't notice much difference in handling but a big difference in traction

 

I have 200# of sand, probably this is not enough . I had to engage 4x4 on slippery roads or maybe this is because I'm not very experienced winter driver

 

For a novice here, can you tell me why you didn't want to use 4X4? Isn't adding more weight to your vehicle causing you to use more fuel anyway?

 

1500's nearly all have transfer boxes, which means that 2 wheels, 1 front and 1 at the back will always be spinning at the same speed, on the road this could cause the transmission to wind itself up, ultimately this could break the transmission.

In any event driving in 4x4 uses more fuel and adds to the wear and tear on the front suspension and tyres, using extra weight adds traction to the rear wheels and only slightly, if at all, increases the rolling resistance, so shouldn't use more fuel unless you accelerate heavily or live in a hilly area.

 

I don't use any weight in the back. I have 4X4 Auto on my selector switch, so if the rear wheels start slipping, the front ones engage. Never had a problem with traction.

 

I use 4-50# bags of sand directly over the axle. Huge difference in traction as compared to nothing. Adding more weight will hinder cornering/handling and def decrease mpg's.

I get zero spin on wet roads 3/4throttle with 200lbs over the axle. I get nothing but spin with no wieght. If I slide 2 of the bags to the tailgate, I get zero spin at WOT in the rain. I don't like anymore than 200lbs directly over the axle because of the roll in the corners, but since I installed my airbags, the roll is non-existent so I may add one more bag at the tailgate.

Adding too much weight will increase the plowing effect that happens when taking a right hand turn. I noticed that my truck wants to plow forward and not turn as sharp with the added weight because it basically starts to lift the front up which takes weight off the front and transfers it to the back and ultimately means less traction on the front axle and more weight on the rear axle. This is what causes the front to plow because the back is grabbing a bit too much. LSD's don't help this fact either.

If you want to save money, 3 50# bags at the very back of the truck has the same weight effect as having 4-50# bags directly over the axle, except the weight over the axle has better handling characteristics.

If you have 4wd, I say USE IT. There is no point in owning a 4wd truck for anyone to say, Nah, I don't need it and I can drive without it. That's just silly talk. Using 4wd can save you more than you know it even if you are getting what you call good traction in 2wd. Not using 4wd when needed is tough guy attitude. I use mine whenever there is enough slippage not to bind the 4wd. I have tried both 2wd with added weight in the snow and 4wd weight in the snow..Absolutely NO comparison whatsoever!
Having my truck in 4wd has saved me a few times from others hitting me because I can accelerate in an instant out of the way and remain in control if need be.

 

Agree with dirtydog, 4wd is much better then 2wd on the snow. So I engage my 4wd lock every time I'm going on snow covered road. 200# is good but together with 4wd it is perfect

 

I got my question answered. Didn't know half of what was stated...I always wondered about the issue.. Thanks.