Bed weight?

[PltFX4]

For my previous Ranger (a 2005 Extended cab) I built a 1"x1" wood frame on 1/4" plywood to hold 4 sheets of 1/4" plate steel. The frame just fit between the wheel wells. The steel was laser cut to fit the width of the frame and the length was calculated to make each sheet weight about 100 lbs.

Nov 1st, slide the frame in under the bed rug, slide in each sheet of steel. Done. Now in the best of all worlds, I would have drilled holes over where the bed bolts were located and used 1.25" longer bold to hold the plates in place in case of a large bump or rollover.

Come spring, reverse the process (get some mpg back).

Still have full use of the truck bed. No big lumps or bags of stuff.

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[Stevedbvik1]

With or without 4X4, I like weight in the bed of my SC during Iowa winters. I live in the country and county roads can get icy after a snowfall. What do you use for bed traction in the winter? I am not going to use sand bags. I put four 40lbs bags of water softener salt and emptied them into my salt tank, which I have just done now. It leaves salt residue on my bed liner and I have to let the bags drain. I need something different for next winter.

I looked for some plastic pieces I could fill with water yet wouldn't crack when the water freezes. I didn't find anything.

I did find a bag I could put the four bags of salt in and keep water off/out of them. I also thought of putting the salt bags individually in garbage bags.

What do you do?

5 70lb tube sand bags

 

[got3fords]

Someone on this forum had a good point about making sure whatever you use for weight, take precautions it doesn't become a projectile in an accident or even a hard stop.

 

[Frog9z]

You are in Hawkeye country in Blue Grass not ISU bet you get some grief for that.

For sure, but they don't know any better. ISU did me good, but then again Iowa isn't an ag school. My wife is an Iowa grad (law school), but sees the beauty in Ames with two kids there in ag and engineering. Iowa is a good university, some fans not so much.

 

[Frenchy]

There are quite a few different methods you can use and sand bags are one of them. With my 2019 Ranger when I had it, I had no problems using sand bags. With my 2012 Frontier, I have a bit of weight in it that's a bit more permanent. Thanks to that I don't need to worry about the sand bags and it does me well!

 

[LawnMM]

300lbs of tent, awning, and assorted overlanding and recovery gear is what I do

 

[Maxacceleration]

Buy tube sand. It comes in woven bags, much stronger than regular plastic bags. Need a knife to cut it open. Think its sold for traction aid.

This.
Is so easy & from H.D. or Lowes.
Ya some bags break, some dont.
Did I say its so easy?
With siped 3 peak tires & 4x4 you just go.

 

[Frenchy]

This.
Is so easy & from H.D. or Lowes.
Ya some bags break, some dont.
Did I say its so easy?
With siped 3 peak tires & 4x4 you just go.

Not always the case. Just because a tire has the 3 Peak Rating doesn't mean it's ready to go. I have had that experience with many 3 Peak Rated tires that did not good in Winter Conditions. I have also learned that 4WD is also not always the answer for Winter Conditions as well. It can certainly help you get going, but it won't necessarily help you steer better or stop better.

 

[Maxacceleration]

Not always the case. Just because a tire has the 3 Peak Rating doesn't mean it's ready to go. I have had that experience with many 3 Peak Rated tires that did not good in Winter Conditions. I have also learned that 4WD is also not always the answer for Winter Conditions as well. It can certainly help you get going, but it won't necessarily help you steer better or stop better.

Do your research (buyers homework before purchasing). Not all tires or 3peak tires are created equal.
For those that drive winter conditions and live around Les Schwab dealers… they sipe tires, giving amazing additional grip.
Also, a 4WD vehicle will go farther than a 2WD, easier every time. Sure a 2wd can work, but leave it at home in my hills.
In my experience an AWD does better than 4WD many times.
Skill certainly plays in in wintery/snowy/icy conditions.
Rubber on ice/snow is always a risk.
Sand is easy weight to throw in and weight is traction, 2WD, 4WD or AWD.
YMMV

 

[Frenchy]

Do your research (buyers homework before purchasing). Not all tires or 3peak tires are created equal.
For those that drive winter conditions and live around Les Schwab dealers… they sipe tires, giving amazing additional grip.
Also, a 4WD vehicle will go farther than a 2WD, easier every time. Sure a 2wd can work, but leave it at home in my hills.
In my experience an AWD does better than 4WD many times.
Skill certainly plays in in wintery/snowy/icy conditions.
Rubber on ice/snow is always a risk.
Sand is easy weight to throw in and weight is traction, 2WD, 4WD or AWD.
YMMV

I live in an area that has Les Schwab and I refuse to go to Les Schwab. First off their tires that are 3 Peak Rated(not the Snow Tires BTW) suck. I know because I have them on my work van. Also they charge way too much for the tires they sell. The tires they have are made in Taiwan vs my good old Firestone that are made in Canada.

2WD vs 4WD will always depend on the conditions of course. Yes it's easier to get somewhere with 4WD in Winter Conditions if the conditions are that bad. 4WD vs AWD you will tend to find AWD to be better in Winter Conditions assuming we are only talking the street and that is a given, but then again I have yet to set the Ranger in a AWD Configuration from the Factory.

As for weight in the back, regardless of the vehicle, it can certainly help. Why do you think I posted an example of the weight I carry in my vehicle?

Perhaps you need to not reply to the wrong individuals on here?

 

[Maxacceleration]

Buzz off frenchy.
You don’t have to talk down to me.
I merely try to give helpful information.

 

[TJC]

I just purchased 900lbs of bulk sand from Lowes for $75, Bag was 3' cube. Was lifted into the 2005 Ranger 4x4 with a fork lift. They sat it right over the axle. Truck sat level. Sand was a tad wet, so I think it was closer to 1200lbs. Use 65%-75% of it for yard work, and keep the bag in the truck. Use the lift straps to anchor it in position.

I'm going for my 3rd bag later this week. ?

 

[Tom_C]

Someone on this forum had a good point about making sure whatever you use for weight, take precautions it doesn't become a projectile in an accident or even a hard stop.

My buddy does landscaping, and he came by to do some work for me. Behind his walk-behind mower he had this rock to hold the tire. He was so proud that he found one that had the proper shape to fit into place. I said, yeah it's fits nice, until you get in an accident and it kills you or someone else. He just looked at me with mouth agape... with an 'oh chit' look on his face. I may have saved a life that day.

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