[mikewchandler]

I put a few bags of sand in the back (60lbs each). Not sure of all the pros/cons. I think the 120lbs isn't going to make too much of a difference but it gives me a little something to use if getting stuck and needing traction, a little weight in the bed and takes up a small amount of rake. When going off roading, I'll also take my traction boards and those 2 things are better than nothing. Anyone else do that? If so, how much weight do you carry around on the daily?

 

[Homestead Hiker]

I did when I lived in Alaska. Used 4 bags during the winter and had a old wooden box full of large rocks. The extra weight helps, the large rocks I used more in the spring and summer because of getting stuck in the muck.

 

[RamTest]

Just consider their trajectory in a head on crash... where your truck stops but the 60lb bags continue on through the back window, and keep going. Don't keep them near the gate, where unfortunately they do the most good smoothing out the ride.

 

[Mazzaschi]

I use bags of marble chips and they definitely help keep the back end from misbehaving as traction deteriorates. I notice a positive difference also after filling the gas tank.

 

[Ruddigger]

When I had my S10 and Sonoma I would do that. The backend was so light it would chatter and jump around, but on the Frontier it’s much more solid.

 

[The other Sean]

2WD or 4WD? King Cab or Crew Cab?
I don't in my truck (Crew cab 4wd). Before I got my Topper I used to bolt my HiLift jack to the bed rail for the winter. The weight distribution of an old regular cab 6'-8' bed truck is different than a crew cab 5' box. I paid for 4wd, I use it.....

 

[mikewchandler]

I have a crew cab pro4x and the weight feels slightly stabilizing but unnecessary. I do like the idea of having sand if needed and easily getting rid of it when I don't. I put the sand over the axle though...so it doesn't fishtail.

 

[No_Tacos]

I carry 4 fifty pound bags up against the bulkhead which is right over the axle on the crew cab. Definitely helps keeping the rear composed. I'm not buying that bit about them turning into projectiles and coming through the back window (past a hard tonneau cover) in a crash; if said crash is that bad, then the sand bags will be the least of my concerns.

 

[GreyFox]

I have a the Diamond Back cover so the 80-90lbs on top already helps with my traction and ride. I was looking into putting a couple 40lb bags of kitty litter in the bed (could use the litter as oil dry or traction assist outside the vehicle), but after driving it through the snow/ice a few times this winter, I was comfortable enough to know where the "breaking point" was for the truck. I don't think another 80lbs of weight would have made THAT much of difference IMO. Doesn't matter how much weight you have back there, traction WILL break at some point.

 

[bajasam]

I put a few bags of sand in the back (60lbs each). Not sure of all the pros/cons. I think the 120lbs isn't going to make too much of a difference but it gives me a little something to use if getting stuck and needing traction, a little weight in the bed and takes up a small amount of rake. When going off roading, I'll also take my traction boards and those 2 things are better than nothing. Anyone else do that? If so, how much weight do you carry around on the daily?

yep!!, but if you bump those sand bags up to at least 300lb it will be much more effective as far as a traction aid.

 

[CrankyYankee]

I did that with my old Ranger 2wd single cab. That sled was going nowhere in the winter without the extra weight. It seems this crew cab has more weight distributed over the rear wheels and isn't too bad even in 2wd.

 

[Slavic Boer]

Your tires and driver ability make the difference.

 

[RamTest]

I'm not buying that bit about them turning into projectiles and coming through the back window (past a hard tonneau cover) in a crash

If you have it covered or secured, you're all set.
But if not, it's basic physics, and it's not changing for you.

 

[No_Tacos]

If you have it covered or secured, you're all set.
But if not, it's basic physics, and it's not changing for you.

Hmmm...basic physics doesn't quite explain how a 50lb bag up against the bulkhead goes up then forward through the back window. It's been a while since high school but I do remember that inertia tends to be linear, or close to it. Even without a bed cover I'll roll the dice and keep the sand bags .

 

[GreyFox]

 

[mikewchandler]

yep!!, but if you bump those sand bags up to at least 300lb it will be much more effective as far as a traction aid.

That's what I was wondering...where the trade off is b/t weight, traction, gas mileage and space used in the bed?? I do have a bed cover, fyi. It doesn't weigh much though...probably 40lbs.

 

[JSutter]

Every winter I strap down as many buckets or tubes of sand in the bed as I can fit. I need the ballast for plowing.

 

[AzureApe]

I had 4 bags of sand (70 lbs each) in my bed for the depths of this winter. More traction in the rear is better in the rain/snow/slick. Just be mindful of the extra stopping distance from having more weight.

 

[Inspector]

Cinder blocks anyone? I made a 2x6 frame (screwed together) including some under to hold 6 cement blocks for weight. If need be I can stand some up and add more. I used to use 24"x30" cement patio stones. Got to be too heavy to lift in/out and move around so I went to the blocks. Could easily be replaced with sandbags if you prefer.

Pete

 

[bajasam]

I have the 2wd 4cyl KC, so with 400 pounds on the axle I have a 45%F 55%R weight bias to the rear and has amazed me several times on how well it will crawl through places I used to have to have 4wd for. I don't experience any snow here, but I agree the sand bags are handy to have to spread on ice or snow I would imagine. Also the ABLS is really great for a 2wd with the extra 400lbs of sand in back.