Hello all,
I was wondering: what is everyone putting in their bed to get some extra weight on the drive wheels now that the winter is almost upon us? and a question for those with caps: do you find that the weight of the cap alone is enough that you don't need to put anything extra in back for winter?

 

On my 2WD trucks, I found nothing beats about 500 lbs of sand bags or metal ingots placed right over the rear axle. The weight of the cap will be much more distributed...so I don't think it will be as effective.

 

Sand bags are the best as they don't slide around in the bed. I've got a cap too but honestly it weighs less than 100 lbs and isn't directly over the axle so I don't even count it. We're getting a good snow here in IN now. Already had to help a mustang out of the street that didn't have any weight in the back.

 

sand bags are the way to go, with a 2wd get 400-500 in the back if possible. I have 300 in the back of mine and it helps a lot. Put them behind the wheel wells or right over the axle if needed, behind the wheel wells is better though. Those caps don't add any traction weight, they might add weight but not in the right spot. If you end up sliding around a lot in the winter or in a city and needing to hit the brakes hard, you might wanna figure out a way to keep the bags at the back tho unless you don't mind dragging them back from the front often.

 

possibly a stupid question, but where do you guys get your bags o' sand lol

 

home depot and lowes should have them, they come in a plastic bag with like a plastic burlap type material on the outside, i have 5 at i beleive 80lbs a piece

 

A cap does help a lot, but I'm sure sand bags would work much better for the above stated reasons. I have an Aluminum cap on my 2wd Tacoma work truck and traction was much better w/ the cap on.

 

I throw salt bags in mine. That way if I get stuck, or someone else does, just take a bag and open it up, throw it by the tires and let it melt the snow/ice, then try getting the truck out. 5 x 40lbs bags works perfectly for me, even tho I have a 4x4, I don't cruise with it all the time, and this time of year black ice sneaks up on you...

 

This is my second truck. The first was a 67 Chevy c10, 6 ft box, 2 wheel drive. Wish I still had it. I never added any weight in that. So I don't think I will be adding any to my f150.

 

When I had my 2wd S10 I built a wooden frame that held 8 cinder blocks over the axle in the bed and never had trouble with it in the snow.

Ive got a 4x4 now so I dont put any weight in the bed.