Question on putting weight in rear for winter driving

I've always used the front so there is A: more weight on those tires, and B: so it can pull itself where it needs to go rather than getting 'pushed' into trouble it can't steer away from with rear chains.

The other big thing I do is kill the ABS in the winter. ABS nearly doubles my stopping distance on snow. I almost ruined my pants the first time I tried to stop going down the hill in the winter. I was standing on the pedal, back arched cussing and screaming as the truck just. would. not. stop.

 

It used to be that everyone had 2-wheel drive trucks, learned how to drive in the snow, and threw weight in the back.

Now, the trucks are bigger [heavier] and everyone has 4-wheel drive: so, weight isn't critical if you know how to drive in snow, but weight over the rear tires [light end of the truck] OBVIOUSLY is a good idea.

 

I figured that's what you meant: it helps you be able to steer out of trouble because the front tires 'bite' [grip and therefore turn].

 

Clearances are significantly better in the front than the back on my truck. (although not great on even the front, they do work as I kept the chains on for weeks last winter without only minor chain rubbing on the upper ball joint mount.

 

Indeed. Although the biggest problem is that my driveway is half a mile long and 600 vertical feet and what most people would consider a 'trail' rather than a road, even in the summer it takes 4WD to get up it.

 

..and put some of their snacks in the back for plenty of weight.

 

sounds like a nice off the grid/ peacefull kind of home you got there- just what I’m imagining and a 4 wheeled adventure to get home !!

 

Cut a 2x8 to fit in the slots closest to the back of the bed and toss 4 bags of sand between it and the tailgate. Adding the weight as far behind the axle as possible will have the most affect.

 

putting the chains on front enables the truck to actually turn, especially if it's icy. If you have rear weight bias, best to chain up all 4. And to note, be sure you have clearance to run the chains before you tear your shit up. Do a dry run when you don't actually need them. my old 74 Dodge Ramcharger couldn't be stopped when it was chained up on all 4....I miss that thing.

Back to sand bags. I try to keep things by the tailgate for short beds. Long beds like the Taco, over the axle otherwise the thing turns into a porsche 911 and oversteers like a mother f'er when it breaks loose

 

You are not wrong...its a pretty unique place.

 

VERY NICE !!!

 

Hakkapelitta LT2 studded and 350lbs of sand tubes tied down over the rear axle. 300% increase in traction over last snowfall with Goodyear Adventures and no weight in the back.



Eta: this is with 2 snowfalls on the goodyears, and then with the hall as this year we have only had 1 12" snowfall and this morning was a solid sheet of ice.

 

I'd love to see a pic of your truck if that's available

 

Here's one. Need to get better pics at some point. The angle on this one makes it hard to appreciate the longer bed.

 

Back in the day when trucks were built tougher, people used to weld a piece of railroad rail across the frame under the bed.

 

In August I got a nice 2006 Tundra Limited automatic, tires have lot's of tread pretty new and stiped. I traded in my '99 beater Dodge RAM 2500 4wd long bed that I bought new. The dodge was pretty good on wet roads in 2WD with good tires, awesome in 4WD.

I really like the Tundra, however in 2WD it easily spins out of control on fresh wet pavement. t's frick'n dangerous beyond any 4WD/AWS I've owned.

Yes I know that the first rains after a dry season are a lot more slick. But now we've had lot's of rain in Seattle and it still easily spins out of control with very little effort.

On Thanksgiving (yesterday) it was 44F degrees in the Everett WA area (but had been below 30F two hours before) and I hit a tiny patch of black ice in the left wheel track on an off ramp at 45mph (hwy 2 north exit to Lk Stevens), going straight, light curve and slowing -- the rig whipped hard left and started to violently spin into on coming traffic and I barely pulled it out in time, because I hit dry pavement which made the tires squealing like a stuck pig after I cleared the wet or ice or whatever it was.

My dodge would not have even noticed it I think.

The tires are really good. I went to les Schwab and they said the tires are correct for truck and plenty of tread, albeit not the best brand. They suggested I put 300lbs of sand in the back. So I got 5 60lb bags today.

The rain hits on Sunday... so I guess I'll know then.

What do you think? Will the bags save my and the dog's life? I plan to travel a lot this winter. I'm truck-poor right now and bought the truck because it had better tires that the other used trucks at the same price available at the time.

Thanks
Scott

 

How do you turn off ABS? I have a 2006 Tundra Limited automatic. I can't tell if ABS is even working. The truck spins out before it kicks in. Is there traction control on these trucks?
Thanks!

 

On my truck its as simple as pulling both ABS fuses. No traction control on mine. I just simple what my tires to stop spinning when I tell them too, even if the truck thinks otherwise.

 

My first truck was a 08 Ram 1500 Rec cab long bed with the small V8 4x2. I had to put weight in the back or I got next to no traction whatsoever. I am thankful I had that truck because it taught me how to drive in snow since I had the 2wd handicap and lived in New England at the time. With my Tundra and my other two 4x4 trucks in the past I just put it in 4x4 if I had an issue and never added weight and still don't. Might be a bad thing but haven't had an issue so far. One thing I miss about the Ram I had before this Tundra is the 4x4 auto feature it worked pretty well.

 

Thanks, if we get some decent snow in Seattle (maybe a couple weeks worth a year), I'll do it.

 

That's useful, thanks: One might not have time to hit the 4WD button in a rush situation, like I when I hit the 30 foot long strip of black ice at 45mph. My concern is that it's always out of control on wet roads. So I may have to always have weight in the back. But I will get really sticky tires at some point. It really surprized me on this truck.

 

Black Ice can be nasty in 4x4 or 4x2 just need to drive with caution when the road is wet in freezing temperatures all 4x4 does is help with traction not stopping. Best thing to do if your truck fishtails is to not panic and turn against it but not over steer it. I have seen spin outs and almost had one in my 08 due to over steering to correct. My 08 didn't have traction control forgot to mention that but our new trucks do but I tend not to rely on it and once in a while hate it in deep snow.

 

that is a good looking truck. that bed size looks appropriate and balanced with the front end. that should have been a factory option.

 

Thanks Devcom, all that is exactly correct. Happily that is what I do too, I've had Datsun, Ford, Dodge (diesel and gas) trucks, pulled horsetrailers and RVs. None had traction control. I got pretty good at driving in wet conditions and snow, smooth black ice is always bad no matter how good of a driver you are.

But this Tundra, even in the slightest wet coating on a road is just plain terrifying.

I put 360lbs of sand bags in the back over the axle. It is 28F out but dry today. Tomorrow it will warm up and rain is expected. I'll let y'all know if it makes a difference. If the weight doesn't fix it, then I will replace the "already new" tires. They are a pretty cheap brand the owner tossed on to sell the truck. Maybe that is the bulk of the problem. I guess I tend to always buy great tires... we'll see.

 

What kind of tires? If your truck can't handle anything but dry pavement something is wrong. I learned to drive in snow and ice with my 2000 Tacoma. 3.4L V6, 4WD, no ABS and no traction control. I've gotten out of snow drifts up to the rocker panel with the previous owner's crappy Uniroyal highway tires and the Taco was much lighter than your Tundra. Once I put on AT tires and weight in the bed it was unstoppable. My 08 Tundra with AT tires, Vehicle Stability Control, and Traction Control practically drives itself in adverse conditions now.

 

Sand bags and full size spare strapped in place. With this, traction control and 4wd my 2013 is a beast in the snow. Has to be, in Maine winter is 11 months long sometimes (seems like it).

 

I know with my wife’s Acura the brand of tires made a night and day difference. It would not hurt to check the alignment too.