Question on putting weight in rear for winter driving

Hello everyone.
It has been almost 15 years since I had a truck. My last one was an old 86 Chevy and I use to put cinder blocks across the rear axle in the winter. Do any of you that live in the snow belt region add weight to the bed of your Tundra's?

If so I would like to know how much and what kind. I used bags of tube sand in the back of my old rear wheel driver car before. I am running 4 studded snow tires and my rig is 4 wheel drive.

Thanks.

 

I don't put any extra weights in the back. When it begins to slide, I just flip the 4 wheel drive switch and it drives like a different truck. Your snow tires should do even better than my mud tires.

 

I don't think it necessarily needed, especially with 4wd and 4 studded snow tires. You could fill a bucket or tub with sand and secure it in the bed if you really want. I like having a bucket of sand, a shovel, and gloves just in case I get stuck, but the sand is for the sand, not for added weight.

 

I live in northern WI and have not found it necessary to add weight to the back of my CrewMax.

With the weight of the bigger cab being more distributed over the rear axle than a regular cab truck it's balanced more like an SUV and less like a pickup on snowy roads.

 

If you are looking for weight, those bags of concrete mix weigh 60lbs. and they’re like $4/piece at the depot. Throw em in some trash bags to avoid dust and you’re good.

 

Never had to in CO

 

I personally use 300 pounds of sandbags, mainly just Incase my 4wd decides to act up at the wrong time. Happened to me once in my 08 Ram, made my snowy drive no fun. Once bitten twice shy lol

 

My spare is in the bed, and my Nittos handle snow very well, especially in 4wd. Not sure how much difference the spare makes. I'm sure it helps, given it's a 37 and weighs a freakin ton. My bed is also 6.5' on a CM so the extra weight towards the cab helps with distributing the center of gravity.

 

You have a 6.5' bed and a Crew Max?

 

Damn thing is heavy enough as it is. Especially with my cap.

 

Excellent point. Throw a couple of fat chiXX in the back seat to help keep you warm if you get stranded. That's called insurance.

 

I ran mine last year with nothing in the bed. Pulled fine, and never missed a beat. North East Pennsylvania

 

Well spotted sir. Yes I do. Custom extension of frame by Precision Bodylines.

 

I always looked at it as added weight when that ass swings around.

Owned trucks most of my life and never added weight to the back.

I live in the lake effect area where we get feet at a time.

 

I commute ~50 miles in Montana winters. I put 300# in the bed. I like to keep the weight on top of or just in front of the axle. Improves traction and I think it rides better. Also drop the tire pressure slightly in winter.

 

i've been driving my double cab in 2wd all over cheyenne in this for two days...no issues. when you start slipping the traction control takes over and does it's job. haven't used the 4x4 dial yet. four trips between the shop and home, three trips to tire store to get tires on the parts truck, took a floor buffer back to the rental place.

 

Normally I dont add weight. But if I do its snow. Got to clear it off the driveway, just throw it in the bed for added weight. Otherwise 4x4 will do the trick. Just remember 4x4 is for traction, and to get going. It doesnt help you stop.

 

Knowing how to drive in snow is better that adding weight.

 

I used one of these in the past, but don’t feel like I need it right now.

$134 ShurTrax CLW0048 Winter Traction Control System for Compact Pickup Trucks

https://www.amazon.com/ShurTrax-CLW...+bag+for+traction+truck&qid=1572392842&sr=8-4

 

Perfect setup for some GREAT traction !!


@Jon1979
I have used sand bags in other trucks but this will be my first winter in the new Tundra !
I think at least a 100lbs will be a good idea in the tundra-
JM2C

 

I live in Erie County in PA and find that 70lbs of tube sand Over each wheel makes a world of difference.

 

Just wondering how much wt everyone here would recommend adding in the bed of the truck for winter. I have 5 5 gallon buckets that I'll have a mix of sand and salt in. My Tundra is a 2002 access cab with stock rear suspension. Any thoughts?? Thanks.

 

We get 2-5' of snow each winter..I'll probably just let the bed fill up and use some free weight from mother nature

 

Threads were merged for continuity.

 

I usually throw 3-400 pounds in the bed. Yesterday I was in town with my Tundra and decided to get some sand bags for my kid (2WD Tacoma), it was snowing and icy, the truck handled way better with the weight in the rear, the back end just stays planted that much better. After I threw them into the kids truck I was kicking myself for not getting enough for me as well......WTF was I thinking.....

 

I’ve got 120 lbs of sand back there. I think it absolutely helps. I wonder if a bit more would be better.

 

Montana.Steep hills that I have to get up and down everyday. I don't do any weight as I think it does more harm than good when its steep.

I do put tire chains on my front tires pretty often though.

 

I add 3 sand tubes (240lbs) and makes a world of difference when leaving the truck in 2wd. Of course I put it 4wd when it's bad.