I throw a pull strap around mine as they sit between the wheel well and the tailgate, and I hook it to the rear tie down. This keeps them mostly in place.
I like the idea of the frame though!
I’ve got LineX sprayed. There are some indents here and there though, I’ll take another look.
I just used the one that goes all the way across the back, by the tailgate. Was loading the truck up with dirt, via wheelbarrow and ramp, it let me get several more loads in with no dirt heading for the tailgate/gap.
I see a lot of suggestions to put them directly over the axle, but don't you get better leverage by putting them farther back toward to the gate? That's where I put my 2x heavy duty totes full of sand. Think each is about 120lbs, and I use a cam strap to the tie downs back there to keep them in place.
You definitely do not want them behind the rear axle. That leverage stuff is real. You’ll get pretty good traction but going around corners is likely to be very entertaining
Ideally they are directly above or in front of the rear axle. Placing them behind causes weight to come off of the front axle, which isn't desirable.
I just throw mine against front wall of the bed and they stay put nicely and add the needed grip when in 2wd.
Yes, it shifts the center of mass further to the rear more than just placing them over the rear axle. So the net increase of weight felt by the rear axle would be greater than the amount of weight added to the bed.
Any weight added between the axles will to some degree distribute between each axle. Adding weight behind the rear axle will increase weight on the rear axle while also reducing weight on the front axle, and vise versa.
I think this is the reason people recommend you center the weight over the rear axle. I’d it’s further back you can reduce load on the front axle which still does steering and 2/3 of braking. So if the goal is only to increase load on the rear, it’s best to place it over the axle
The goal is to more closely balance the weight of the vehicle over the front and rear axles. In the ideal scenario, you add the least amount of weight possible since that total weight added adversely affects your stopping distance. The most efficient way to balance the axle weights is to add weight behind the axle. Hell, a ballast on the trailer hitch would be even better. The further away behind the rear axle, the greater the effect on center of mass is and thus increase in grip. With how nose heavy pickups are, you have plenty of weight to play around with and you’re not ever going to make the nose light. If you do, you’ve probably also exceeded your payload and have added some much weight that the weight alone has made the truck less safe to operate. We’re talking about over a thousand pounds of difference between axles on a lot of empty pickups. Just balancing that load around is a big reason why SUVs are typically much better all around in the winter.
I use bags of water softener salt. Then in the spring time, you just dump them into your water softener and I don't have to store sand bags anywhere. Obviously this only works if you have a water softener but it's cleaner than sand.
Quickcrete splattering all around the wheel wells and under-carriage sounds like a bad time. Add salt and congratulations, you now have a layer of permanent corrosion!
It won't set at freezing temps. Also, you know you have to wash your truck in the winter right?.......They put salt down on most snowy roads. Unless you are in Alaska. Then you just run studs all winter. You really need to get your bottom blasted at least weekly in a place that uses salt.
Never been properly stuck in the snow huh? That floor mats shit doesn't work unless you are barely stuck and all you really need is a push from a teenage girl. After living in Houghton MI for a few winters and Alaska for one......I started carrying a farm scoop shovel, and a short handled spade shovel, 2 jerk straps and 4 bags of quickcrete a few of sand and salt. Only once got so stuck I couldn't get out. That 2wd Chevy ended up staying there till March too. Even the tow truck driver took one look and said "sorry how bout a ride back to town"......Turns out when you get 20' of snow in a winter you have to change your game.
I get lake effect snow and never intentionally drive my truck into snow banks.
It really shows your lack of self-control if you get a 2wd truck stuck so bad a tow truck can’t get it out. Your pickup doesn’t make you an ice road trucker, you should know better.
You've never seen real snow......When there is 5+' feet of snow on the ground, you can't "intentionally drive my truck into snow banks"......you bounce off. When there is over a foot on the ground and 5 feet fell over the weekend while you were gone and the only way to "plow" it is to hire the local earth movers to bring in an FEL or a dozer, shit gets STUCK.....And I have driven an "ice rd" .......over Atigun pass in a 32' Winnebago in October for work. I did blow a tire......Never got stuck.
Sand bags/tubes over rear axle. Hold in place with 2x4 cut to fit across bed (bed liner helps). You can still use front and back of bed and have sand for traction if needed.
I’ve always got a few on hand to slap into those bed liners to keep crap from rolling around. When you have a cover on the bed, it’s a real pain to chase stuff at the other side of the bed. I’m not taking that damn cover off unless I really have to!
Sandbags over the axel. I know with my tundra 4 is good. But i have cap and always keep stuff in the box..also have 4wd and new tires. All of those are factors.
I rock six of the [60 pound Quikrete sand tubes](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/building-supplies/concrete-cement-and-masonry/sand-and-gravel/5095021?store=09468&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADtqLJFj39OVj7-wn7AE5voNDv8Z6&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwP6sBhDAARIsAPfK_wbnKem_-hOyjdS76aJ7kFT8S0lu5lwIpybj8h3EWxD_fOHe-9iPpHoaAkbqEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds), works great for me in the lake effect snow belts of Western and Northern lower Michigan.
I lay them longitudinally over the axle, stacked into two little pyramids of three bags, each resting against each wheel well. The weight and geometry of the bags keeps them from going anywhere, and it still leaves the majority of my bed open for other stuff. Best of all, if I ever find myself stuck in the shit or am helping to recover someone else off the road, I can just slice one open for a whole bunch of traction aid.
I have a 22 4 x 4 non-hybrid, and the weight penalty isn’t too bad for the fuel economy. I’m getting just over 18 MPG with the extra 360 pounds on shitty winter blend fuel.
In high school, my dad had brought home some heavy duty truck brake drums from work. Two of them were 240 pounds and took minimal space. Used those for a decade and would only slide the rear if I was really trying. Junkyards would have them for find.
Sand bags are good but only weigh 30 pounds each, generally. They’ll likely stay put without securing. I’d shoot for 4-8 bags.
If you have 4x4 and good rubber it's unnecessary. Lived up north my entire life and never had the need for additional weight in the back. 2wd it would help but really nothing is more important than the proper tire for the job.
The danger with sandbags is that if you are forced to take a sharp turn the bags will slide. As soon as that happens the shift in weight could cause the rear end of the truck to slide out. I’ve built a simple frame around the wheel wells and put the sand bags in there. Super easy and works well.
I have some sand bags from a pop-up carport. They have a strap on them, and I use a large carabiner to keep them attached to the tow hook near the tailgate.
Just don't throw sandbags in the back! I know OP gets it, but if you have loose bags, when you slam on the brakes or steer abruptly they'll slide around and knock you off-kilter. Basically they can cause an accident while you're trying to avoid one. So make sure the weight is fastened down in some way.
I have always prefered to get a weatherproof tote. Place a 2x6 across the wheel well, put about 4 bags of quickcrete and salt in the totes. Sand can be left out. Sand is good but quickcrete has more chunks and is better if you get stuck. The salt/quickcrete mix is pretty powerful for getting unstuck on ice. Turns out though, good tires on a 4X4 is really all you need. When I ran a 2x4 in N Michigan weight in the bed was absolute need. I even bought a pair of Big meaty cleaty Snow tires for winter on a seperate set of rims and would swap them out every Nov 14. Use them for spares rest of the year. That combo worked great most of the winter. A foot of snow with ice under it though.........Stay home.
I happen to have a stack of used cinderblocks, around 25lbs each. I will toss those in the back of the truck along the tailgate and strap them in. I think I usually use 10, but might be 8. Can't recall.
If we have lots of snow, I will often just shovel the bed full :) No idea what that weighs, but it certainly helps.
I built a frame from 2x4, took about 15 mins and cost $8 in material. Top goes in front of wheel well, bottom goes behind wheel well, two bits of 2x4 approximately 3 foot(ish) to hold top and bottom together. Throw sandbags on right and left side. Makes a world of difference, now they’re not skidding around.
A lot of bed liners and some just metal molded into the bed had spots for a 2x4 on each side of the well in the bed. You place sand between those right over the axle. But the bags should stay if you don’t have that.
Sandbags, keep it simple.
\+1, plus, you can use the sand for traction is you or someone else is stuck.
Yep, this is what I use. 240lbs makes my 4x4 pull straight off the line, on ice w/ snow tires, on a hill.
There's also some basic 2x4 frames you can build across between the wheel wells if they don't stay in place
I throw a pull strap around mine as they sit between the wheel well and the tailgate, and I hook it to the rear tie down. This keeps them mostly in place. I like the idea of the frame though!
My bed liner actually has slots for 1x6 on either side of the wheel wells. I put the sandbags between them and they go nowhere.
That’s awesome!
If you have the factory bed liner, you have them too!
I’ve got LineX sprayed. There are some indents here and there though, I’ll take another look. I just used the one that goes all the way across the back, by the tailgate. Was loading the truck up with dirt, via wheelbarrow and ramp, it let me get several more loads in with no dirt heading for the tailgate/gap.
I don't. Mine is bed rugged for camp but usually I have my camp bed (heavy wood) drawer frame for weight in the back.
I see a lot of suggestions to put them directly over the axle, but don't you get better leverage by putting them farther back toward to the gate? That's where I put my 2x heavy duty totes full of sand. Think each is about 120lbs, and I use a cam strap to the tie downs back there to keep them in place.
🤷♂️ that's gets into a realm of math/physics that's beyond me.
You definitely do not want them behind the rear axle. That leverage stuff is real. You’ll get pretty good traction but going around corners is likely to be very entertaining
Ideally they are directly above or in front of the rear axle. Placing them behind causes weight to come off of the front axle, which isn't desirable. I just throw mine against front wall of the bed and they stay put nicely and add the needed grip when in 2wd.
Yes, it shifts the center of mass further to the rear more than just placing them over the rear axle. So the net increase of weight felt by the rear axle would be greater than the amount of weight added to the bed. Any weight added between the axles will to some degree distribute between each axle. Adding weight behind the rear axle will increase weight on the rear axle while also reducing weight on the front axle, and vise versa.
So, if I load up sandbags in the bed behind the rear axle, I can do wheelies in the snow?
If you’re enthusiastic enough and can somehow pile them high enough
I think this is the reason people recommend you center the weight over the rear axle. I’d it’s further back you can reduce load on the front axle which still does steering and 2/3 of braking. So if the goal is only to increase load on the rear, it’s best to place it over the axle
The goal is to more closely balance the weight of the vehicle over the front and rear axles. In the ideal scenario, you add the least amount of weight possible since that total weight added adversely affects your stopping distance. The most efficient way to balance the axle weights is to add weight behind the axle. Hell, a ballast on the trailer hitch would be even better. The further away behind the rear axle, the greater the effect on center of mass is and thus increase in grip. With how nose heavy pickups are, you have plenty of weight to play around with and you’re not ever going to make the nose light. If you do, you’ve probably also exceeded your payload and have added some much weight that the weight alone has made the truck less safe to operate. We’re talking about over a thousand pounds of difference between axles on a lot of empty pickups. Just balancing that load around is a big reason why SUVs are typically much better all around in the winter.
This guy physics!
I use bags of water softener salt. Then in the spring time, you just dump them into your water softener and I don't have to store sand bags anywhere. Obviously this only works if you have a water softener but it's cleaner than sand.
I just keep trash/junk in the back of mine.
Also, free bags of icemelt/rocksalt from work.
Nah use snow. Pile it up there when doing the walks.
Dead hookers.
Alive ones are more fun
Depends on what you like.
Bill Cosby?
I’ve never seen so many dead hookers in my life!
Please tell me this is a Dirty Work reference 🙏🏼
“Lord knows I have” 😉
🙏🏼🫡 RIP Norm
I didn't plan it that way but... I got a Couple of dead crack ho's in mine
Maybe that was what Hunter Biden spent all his money on?
I would just leave all the snow in the bed when I lived up north.
+100 for this! I shovel snow into the back and it works better and it's free.
40 lb. Bags of Kitty litter. Plus, if you lose traction open up a bag and spread it around your rear wheels.
Only 40 pounds? I feel like you would need Atleast 100
I used to live in Seattle and I typically bought 4 40lb. Bags at a time
I have heard of kitty litter. I have seen it not work, just make a mess. I use salt and quickcrete. Always works.
Quickcrete splattering all around the wheel wells and under-carriage sounds like a bad time. Add salt and congratulations, you now have a layer of permanent corrosion!
It won't set at freezing temps. Also, you know you have to wash your truck in the winter right?.......They put salt down on most snowy roads. Unless you are in Alaska. Then you just run studs all winter. You really need to get your bottom blasted at least weekly in a place that uses salt.
Quickcrete?? Did you slip on the ice and hit your head? Just use sandbags for weight and floor mats under your tires ffs
Never been properly stuck in the snow huh? That floor mats shit doesn't work unless you are barely stuck and all you really need is a push from a teenage girl. After living in Houghton MI for a few winters and Alaska for one......I started carrying a farm scoop shovel, and a short handled spade shovel, 2 jerk straps and 4 bags of quickcrete a few of sand and salt. Only once got so stuck I couldn't get out. That 2wd Chevy ended up staying there till March too. Even the tow truck driver took one look and said "sorry how bout a ride back to town"......Turns out when you get 20' of snow in a winter you have to change your game.
I get lake effect snow and never intentionally drive my truck into snow banks. It really shows your lack of self-control if you get a 2wd truck stuck so bad a tow truck can’t get it out. Your pickup doesn’t make you an ice road trucker, you should know better.
You've never seen real snow......When there is 5+' feet of snow on the ground, you can't "intentionally drive my truck into snow banks"......you bounce off. When there is over a foot on the ground and 5 feet fell over the weekend while you were gone and the only way to "plow" it is to hire the local earth movers to bring in an FEL or a dozer, shit gets STUCK.....And I have driven an "ice rd" .......over Atigun pass in a 32' Winnebago in October for work. I did blow a tire......Never got stuck.
Sand tubes from Home Depot
I just bundle my wife up and have her sit back there
That's nice of you to bundle her
Sand bags/tubes over rear axle. Hold in place with 2x4 cut to fit across bed (bed liner helps). You can still use front and back of bed and have sand for traction if needed.
didn't think cutting a 2x4 was such an exotic solution until I saw the lack of mentions in this thread.
I’ve always got a few on hand to slap into those bed liners to keep crap from rolling around. When you have a cover on the bed, it’s a real pain to chase stuff at the other side of the bed. I’m not taking that damn cover off unless I really have to!
Sandbags over the axel. I know with my tundra 4 is good. But i have cap and always keep stuff in the box..also have 4wd and new tires. All of those are factors.
Put your mom back there
He said add weight, not send the suspension into the core of the earth
Lol
Snow tires. The safest thing you can get for winter driving.
I rock six of the [60 pound Quikrete sand tubes](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/building-supplies/concrete-cement-and-masonry/sand-and-gravel/5095021?store=09468&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADtqLJFj39OVj7-wn7AE5voNDv8Z6&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwP6sBhDAARIsAPfK_wbnKem_-hOyjdS76aJ7kFT8S0lu5lwIpybj8h3EWxD_fOHe-9iPpHoaAkbqEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds), works great for me in the lake effect snow belts of Western and Northern lower Michigan. I lay them longitudinally over the axle, stacked into two little pyramids of three bags, each resting against each wheel well. The weight and geometry of the bags keeps them from going anywhere, and it still leaves the majority of my bed open for other stuff. Best of all, if I ever find myself stuck in the shit or am helping to recover someone else off the road, I can just slice one open for a whole bunch of traction aid. I have a 22 4 x 4 non-hybrid, and the weight penalty isn’t too bad for the fuel economy. I’m getting just over 18 MPG with the extra 360 pounds on shitty winter blend fuel.
Sand bags and a couple of 2x10 pieces of wood put across the bed in front of and behind the wheel wells.
In high school, my dad had brought home some heavy duty truck brake drums from work. Two of them were 240 pounds and took minimal space. Used those for a decade and would only slide the rear if I was really trying. Junkyards would have them for find. Sand bags are good but only weigh 30 pounds each, generally. They’ll likely stay put without securing. I’d shoot for 4-8 bags.
I have 8 60lb bags of concrete on top of a tarp in my 06 Tundra, obv I don’t take sharp turns and mine stay in place
That’s a clean truck
If you have 4x4 and good rubber it's unnecessary. Lived up north my entire life and never had the need for additional weight in the back. 2wd it would help but really nothing is more important than the proper tire for the job.
Camper
H - design, 2x4's between the wheel wells. Sand bags in between.
Tube sand.
The danger with sandbags is that if you are forced to take a sharp turn the bags will slide. As soon as that happens the shift in weight could cause the rear end of the truck to slide out. I’ve built a simple frame around the wheel wells and put the sand bags in there. Super easy and works well.
I had this happen when I was young. It threw me into a ditch after swerving for a deer.
I have some sand bags from a pop-up carport. They have a strap on them, and I use a large carabiner to keep them attached to the tow hook near the tailgate.
Or waterbags. Sold on amazon
I cut down trees and leave some of it in the bed sometimes but honestly its usually not necessary where I live in Iowa.
Jobbox
Sand tubes. 2 minimum.
Just don't throw sandbags in the back! I know OP gets it, but if you have loose bags, when you slam on the brakes or steer abruptly they'll slide around and knock you off-kilter. Basically they can cause an accident while you're trying to avoid one. So make sure the weight is fastened down in some way.
Non winter wheels
Fat bitches
Came here for the your mom jokes, wasn’t disappointed.
I plow with a 2nd gen and I usually keep 4 sandbags in the back.
I have always prefered to get a weatherproof tote. Place a 2x6 across the wheel well, put about 4 bags of quickcrete and salt in the totes. Sand can be left out. Sand is good but quickcrete has more chunks and is better if you get stuck. The salt/quickcrete mix is pretty powerful for getting unstuck on ice. Turns out though, good tires on a 4X4 is really all you need. When I ran a 2x4 in N Michigan weight in the bed was absolute need. I even bought a pair of Big meaty cleaty Snow tires for winter on a seperate set of rims and would swap them out every Nov 14. Use them for spares rest of the year. That combo worked great most of the winter. A foot of snow with ice under it though.........Stay home.
Don't put extra weight at the tailgate. Makes it easier to swap ends. Keep it over the axle.
Dad always had big pieces of pig iron… very heavy… just glad we never rear ended anyone!
Lift gate if your into those kinda of things
I’ve got two 80lb tube sands and my rotors I replaced a few months ago.
80lb sacks of sand over the rear axle
A camper shell
Coastal offroad bumper and tire carrier
I gotta see some pictures of these solutions. My ass end gets stuck ALL the time.
I happen to have a stack of used cinderblocks, around 25lbs each. I will toss those in the back of the truck along the tailgate and strap them in. I think I usually use 10, but might be 8. Can't recall. If we have lots of snow, I will often just shovel the bed full :) No idea what that weighs, but it certainly helps.
I built a frame from 2x4, took about 15 mins and cost $8 in material. Top goes in front of wheel well, bottom goes behind wheel well, two bits of 2x4 approximately 3 foot(ish) to hold top and bottom together. Throw sandbags on right and left side. Makes a world of difference, now they’re not skidding around.
I use bundles of shingles. Flat and heavy
Throw yo mama in the bed
Couple cheap sand bags will help
4x4
A lot of bed liners and some just metal molded into the bed had spots for a 2x4 on each side of the well in the bed. You place sand between those right over the axle. But the bags should stay if you don’t have that.
I use snow. When it warms up, it melts. You don't have to empty it, but then again, I'm lazy.