Sand bags in pickups/SUV, snow driving (Colorado Springs, Grand Junction: for sale, live)

[Charles]

Just trying to get an idea of what other people do for adding extra weight to their vehicles. I have a 2WD Durango (OK, you guessed it, I moved from California) and I'd like to get an idea of how many 60 pound bags of sand people might place over the rear axel. Same question for an F-150. I live on the Palmer Divide so (using last winter as a reference) there are often very snowy roads.

Thanks

[COflower]

When I lived in Grand Junction and had a particularly snowy drive back to Colorado Springs, I threw three 70 lb bags over each axle (Chevy reg. cab with a 350 and yes I did have 4 wheel drive). It seemed like just enough to keep my nerves (I had slammed into a guard rail just outside Manitou a few weeks before because of ice on a sunny day) and the rear end under control. It probably didn't make much of a difference but for a little extra mental coddling.

[OutOfSoCal]

I make the MIL sit in the back when extra weight over the rear

[jazzlover]

On a RWD vehicle, 200-350 lbs. placed as far to the rear of the vehicle as possible is pretty good. I like the bags of "tube sand" one can get at the hardware store or building improvement joints. The bags are usually 60-75 lbs. each, so one person can generally load them. Whatever is used for weight, be sure it is secured. If you run into something, you don't want your weights barreling up to your backside at whatever your speed was before you hit whatever you hit. That hurts.

PS--OutOfSoCal, you must have one, uh, big-boned MIL. If she's big enough to give you good traction, she's probably big enough to kick your *** when she's had enough out in the back of the truck.

[Charles]

Great. This is the type of info I was looking for. Six bags should do it.

Thanks

[b.adams]

I used two bags over each wheel last winter (60x2=120) and it helped a lot. They were very reasonable and are for sale in front of walmart this time of year. I used them in the summer in the garage to know when I've pulled in far enough. They work great. I just didn't want to burn too much payload on them. 2-3 bags on each side would work fine. When its really bad, I always put it into 4WD. Last winter was bizzare. I pulled about 6 people out ... and one guy pulled me out. I have my snow plow on my tractor, and my snowblower ready to go ... so its going to be NICE (you can thank me for the good weather).