Winter driving .. weight above rear axle?

[p3zz]

Talking about winter driving, do I need to add weight in the bed, above the rear axle, so I get traction?
I think the manual says to only use 4x4 on snow, and return to 2x4 on pavement, but I'm wondering what to do when it rains and you don't know if you're going to hit black ice in turns.
thanks!

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[Deleted member 1634]

My recommendation for pretty much anything like this is to give it a shot and experience it yourself, and then make the changes you see fit. It's always hard for us, the audience, to give advice when we don't know you, your capabilities, or your driving style.

In my personal experience though (which again, will likely differ quite a bit from yours), I added weight (4 70lb sand bags) to the bed last winter, and will do the same this winter. But I only did so after driving it for a month in the winter to figure out if it would be worth it. Same with snow tires. I drove all last winter without them, just to see if I needed them or not (spoiler, I'm probably going to get a set of those now as well). But I'm one to always try things myself before making any decisions.

As far as constantly changing driving conditions, if you're accustomed to winter driving than I'm sure you know what to do. Just take it a little bit slower and more cautious. That's really all you can do. 4WD won't really help if you hit black ice in a corner. Not many things will except maybe studded tires, but those are illegal here in Minnesota so I've never had any experience with them.

 

[p3zz]

My recommendation for pretty much anything like this is to give it a shot and experience it yourself, and then make the changes you see fit.
Same with snow tires.
Just take it a little bit slower and more cautious.
4WD won't really help if you hit black ice in a corner.

Great advice, take it easy, mind how the truck reacts, make incremental changes.
I am planning on getting a set of winter tires as well.
thanks!

 

[Goodrx]

with the first snow fall, I always go to an empty parking lot that I know well and just let loose. Flooring it vs stopping power and turning etc, just play around for 10 minutes to see what the truck is capable of. My f150 was all over the place with the aluminum body but once i put some duratracs on it that went away in 2H and alot better in 4H. The ranger i suspect get a good all season and should be good.

 

[slowmachine]

When I lived in Chicago (1970s) we used to have the bucket loader that cleared snow from our parking lot dump some snow in the bed of our 2WD F150 for some extra weight on the rear axle. My boss was too frugal for snow tires, so we drove all winter on regular highway tires, and did so very carefully. I drove a 1969 Mustang back then, and threw a couple bags of water softener salt in the trunk for the same purpose, then dumped it into the water softener when spring arrived.

 

[BlackRanger01]

I realize this is an old thread.

I felt 100% confident driving my truck without any weight in rain, especially going 75mph on highway.

Haven't done snow with Ranger yet but I had 100% confident on snowy road with 2002 Monte Carlo, 2010 Ford Fusion and 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid (all FWD). Key is drive slow and no hard accelerate with lots of braking distance. I'm more scared of other drivers in snow.

 

[ScrappyLaptop]

Talking about winter driving, do I need to add weight in the bed, above the rear axle, so I get traction?
I think the manual says to only use 4x4 on snow, and return to 2x4 on pavement, but I'm wondering what to do when it rains and you don't know if you're going to hit black ice in turns.
thanks!

In my old Ranger ('98 XLT 4x4 extended cab longbed) I threw a few sandbags in the back at the start of winter. Maybe 200-250 lbs worth. 4x4 or 2x4, the back of a pickup is lightly loaded compared to the front and the weight helps.

Regarding when to use 4x4, think of it this way: Snow, sand, dirt and gravel all have significant slip to them. Enough to prevent quickly wearing out your center differential. Rain covered pavement does not. If you are wondering what to do when it rains and you don't know if you're going to hit black ice in turns, the answer is simple: slow down.

I got lucky when I lived up in the mountains. I was young and stupid and knew it was near freezing, although the snow had melted. I was doing about 65 uphill near the summit and hit a patch of black ice. I spun around at least 360 & fishtailed for a while and for a few seconds I was looking out my side window at the approaching headlights of a loaded logging truck going downhill. So, my personal rule is simple ever since then. If there's ice or ice is likely, slow down.

 

[p3zz]

I'm more scared of other drivers in snow.

ditto!

 

[p3zz]

I threw a few sandbags in the back at the start of winter. Maybe 200-250 lbs worth.

That's what I did, four 60lb sand bags in the bed right against the cabin wall, and winter tires.

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