Quick question: sandbags behind cab or over rear wheels?

[mtsoxfan]

So you'd put them behind the cab eh?

The way I drive, I'd put them over rear wheels
That said, I can drive in snow. I do have hills where I am, not always good conditions, and even with factory tires, no issues with the last snowstorm, in which I had to drive in. I did put my Cooper Snow Claws on today, and traction was night and day. No need for 4x4, backing up my driveway, slight incline with icy packed snow. Factory tires I had to use 4x4 and locker...

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[Motorpsychology]

For me, that was one of the reasons for getting a 4X4 truck; eliminate carrying ~400lb of sandbags for 5 months. I had a '72 GMC C2500 w/no Posi, and 400 lb was barely enough even with snow tread recaps. That truck was my wood hauler, and cleaning out the box after a snow or hauling wood was a pain with sandbags in the middle of the bed. The first house had wood and electric baseboard heat back in 1982.

Between gasoline for the truck & chainsaw and electricity to heat that house with 4" walls and single pane glass, I was spending probably close to what I am now in a townhouse with natural gas.

 

[Hickesy]

For me, that was one of the reasons for getting a 4X4 truck; eliminate carrying ~400lb of sandbags for 5 months. I had a '72 GMC C2500 w/no Posi, and 400 lb was barely enough even with snow tread recaps. That truck was my wood hauler, and cleaning out the box after a snow or hauling wood was a pain with sandbags in the middle of the bed. The first house had wood and electric baseboard heat back in 1982.

Between gasoline for the truck & chainsaw and electricity to heat that house with 4" walls and single pane glass, I was spending probably close to what I am now in a townhouse with natural gas.

I have a 4x4 Scab, just playing it safe as we're due an ice storm later this week

 

[NoTacos]

In my old 02 F150 (4x4) I probably had 360lb of sandbags right over the axle. I can’t say it helped much - it was always going into 4x4 that kept me on the road. In the ranger I have about 200lbs and doesn’t seem to make a difference either - and I have tired placing them up at the bulkhead ,the tailgate, over the axle. If I am slipping I just go into 4x4 mode. Maybe I don’t need them?

But old habits die hard - always had sand bags in my rwd cars. A comfort thing I guess.

 

[Danager]

Or sandbag enhancement ?
[/QUOTE

Sandbag alternative:

Not always.

 

[Danager]

This is what I did in my 2005 (and will do for the 2019 Ranger as well):
Made a frame )1/4" plywood base; 1"x1" frame

Slide frame in bed under the bed rug:

Looks like a good setup. I am flinching just looking at that, knowing there is a pinched finger story as a result of those plates - or at least there would be in my case.

Then insert 4 1/4" steel plates sized to be 100 lbs each (used extended bed bolts to tie them down). Now I still have full bed usage. (Note: had airbag helper springs that I aired up to keep it level):

Yes, most likely over kill not to mention the fall/spring install and removal is a pain (literally) but what a difference it makes in winter. Keep them in for the summer, Cadillac smooth ride.. at the price of 2 mpg lower fuel mileage (I always removed them in summer).

 

[CB750F]

Just installed Goodyear Ultra grip ice, 4 bags(70lbs each), of crushed stone on top of rear wheels. Like others, I built some type of container to keep the bags over the wheels. Probably don't need but old habits die hard.

 

[4rd SVT]

But I'm debating on ordering "three" of the small Auto/SUV aids since I have the shorter but wider crew-cab bed:

Shurtrax Auto/CUV/SUV Small Individual

Especially since each would be $40 [x3] versus the $150 single bag-unit.

Ended buying a "3-pack" and it was $100 versus $120... plus free ship.

Since everyone loves pics...

It was folded flat & each one weighs 4-lbs dry & roughly 14" x 14" squared.

It's been so cold out that I haven't gotten a chance to "mock-fit" in the back of the Ranger yet.

About 42" across [side-by-side] & 38" in length... 57/58 inches with all three mocked-up.

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[myothercarizahearse]

Ended buying a "3-pack" and it was $100 versus $120... plus free ship.

Since everyone loves pics...

It was folded flat & each one weighs 4-lbs dry & roughly 14" x 14" squared.

It's been so cold out that I haven't gotten a chance to "mock-fit" in the back of the Ranger yet.

About 42" across [side-by-side] & 38" in length... 57/58 inches with all three mocked-up.

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that's an accident waiting to happen. I feel like a week max before I put a hole in all of them

 

[subquark]

that's an accident waiting to happen. I feel like a week max before I put a hole in all of them

Bladders leak ... oh, wait, maybe that's just because I'm an old man - sucks getting older ... =D

 

[IdahoRanger]

Bladders leak ... oh, wait, maybe that's just because I'm an old man - sucks getting older ... =D

Maybe you should have bought kitty litter instead of sand.

 

[subquark]

Maybe you should have bought kitty litter instead of sand.

Multi-purpose mods! I like it! =D

 

[got3fords]

If you buy a cargo bar be sure to stay away from the ratchet type as they are a PITA but these are awesome.

Amazon.com: Shippers Supplies Steel Cargo Pickup Truck Bar 59" - 73" : Automotive

i don't get it, these look like they are ratcheting. Also, how much do they weigh? I want something light.

 

[rydfree]

i don't get it, these look like they are ratcheting. Also, how much do they weigh? I want something light.

That page states that it is #10 but for what it is supposed to do I don't consider that too heavy . You don't want it to bend . By ratcheting I mean as in a traditional ratchet strap mechanism that would increase the length with every pull of the handle. Those will generally fail at some point. This is more of a cam design whereas you release the handle and stretch the bar out until it touches the bed walls then as you clamp the handle down it stretches the bar out about 1/2" or so and locks in place .

 

[got3fords]

That page states that it is #10 but for what it is supposed to do I don't consider that too heavy . You don't want it to bend . By ratcheting I mean as in a traditional ratchet strap mechanism that would increase the length with every pull of the handle. Those will generally fail at some point. This is more of a cam design whereas you release the handle and stretch the bar out until it touches the bed walls then as you clamp the handle down it stretches the bar out about 1/2" or so and locks in place .

Ah, ok.

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