Hopefully I have posted this in the right place. Please let me know otherwise.I just bought a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 SXT 2 wheel drive 3.7L V6. Though it is a short wheel base I still find problems with the rear end of the vehicle being too light for the curvy West Virginia roads in the rain. Combined with the curvy roads there is a high volume of coal trucks spilling fluids in these sharp curves that is intensified in the rain. This is the first truck I have ever owned and am looking for a smarter way to add weight to this vehicle to better my chances in the rain. I know sand bags and other heavy materials as an option but am looking to have something more concealed. Does anyone know a type of weights that are sold anywhere to achieve this? A toolbox really would not be an option either because I have tubular rocket bars running down either side of the bed where a box would rest.Thanks for any help with my first truck adventure.

 

I think better road tires and an LSD would be good moves for traction on wet roads. I know the stock michelins on mine suck when it's wet. You could also get a spray in bedliner it will be heavier than the drop in's and also cut down on exhaust noise.

 

maybe drop the back, that might help

 

Welcome do DF! Anyways, yeah try some new tires with really good tread on them. I just put some nitto terra grapplers on mine and they handle great in every kind of weather, snow and rain, they hold. Adding weight to the bed might give you worse gas milage in the truck. Look at this

http://www.autoanything.com/hitch-be...0A50576A1.aspx

 

@ Chambers...Thanks I appreciate the info. The better road tires I plan to do but I certainly want to tear up the ones I have first. Also I was curious what is an LSD?

@raminator08.. Thanks for your response as well but I just never cared for the lowered back side look though it probably would increase rear traction.

 

LSD is a limited slip differential. Most recommend detroit truetrac or auburn for our trucks and it will help traction quite a bit. The only issue is the cost which is from 4-500 for the LSD then a couple hours install from a qualified mechanic.

 

I have a spray in rhino liner in the bed of my truck and i have noticed it has helped my traction a bit (i still have stock tires)...
but of course if you need a lot more traction that wouldn't be the way to go. it cost me bout 450 for the bed liner so you'd be better off just spending that money on new tires for better traction (don't know how much other spray in bed liners cost, but they aren't cheap)

oh, and welcome to the forums
it's a great place for information for guys like us who are just starting out with trucks

 

I spent 170 on my spray in liner... It's good to know to have connections

 

Thanks for all the warm welcomes most importantly. As well the valuable information thats been extended to me. Certainly glad I showed up here.

@Chambers- I will in the future look into getting an LSD. I know what that is the abbreviation just would not come to me earlier. Thanks and I am sure that would prove to be helpful.

@Freakinkeith- Thanks for the article I had considered the gas milage effects earlier on but to get the traction I suppose I would give up the gas. I'll take all the alternate routes first though. Also I loved the Mud Grapplers but man they sure do pack a price tag for what I am assuming will be wore down in 6 months times on the highway or less. Which set did you get? I have all 4 seasons where I live so I am not sure the Dune grapplers might not be right for me. However the Terra Grapplers might be a slightly cheaper alternative that would work. The Mud grappler appearance just really pulled me in but if we are talking to help fix the issue I am having then the Terra Grapplers would be a good choice I imagine.

I am not sure I have a real desire for a spray in liner at the moment but it might be an item in the future but not for the weight issue.

 

I got the Nitto Terra Grapplers, and yes, those mudgrapplers look amazing! They are not the cheapest thing, but I think you can never spend too much when it comes to tires.

here is my tread on them. I love it! lol