Pickup owners: How do you weigh down your rear wheels for winter? (vehicle, good tire)

[Stripes17]

Originally Posted by dubthang

As for keeping the sand bags in place, just cut a 2x4 to go behind the wheel tubs. It should keep the bags against the gate fairly well.

You want to keep the weight on top of the back axle, not behind it!

[ryanek9freak]

Or you could just ditch that 2 legged horse and get a 4X4.

[joee]

I've always liked the idea of 2x4,6s between the wells or between well and gate, most important thing to keep in mind is couple hundred plus pounds of whatever laying loose in the bed can kill you or somebody else in a sudden stop or accident, not to mention hefty dents in bed.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

Or you could just ditch that 2 legged horse and get a 4X4.

Good suggestion, ryanek . . . or MOVE TO ARIZONA?

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by SuSuSushi

SALT?! Oh heck no. That will corrode the hell out of your truck! Also, ashes can make caustic fluids when they get wet.

Umm. .. . I think that you would keep either one in plastic bags. In additioan to providing weight, either one is useful if you get stuck on ice.

[Steve_TN]

Put my mother-in-law in the bed.

[SD4020]

I cut a tree down on Tuesday... Its is in the back of my pickup.

It seems 4x4 gets people stuck faster than anything I know.

[dubthang]

Originally Posted by Stripes17

You want to keep the weight on top of the back axle, not behind it!

Sand bags are the length of the space between the wheel tub and tail gate so this doesn't matter. Placing a bag over the axle or 18 inches behind it doesn't make a difference.

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

Or you could just ditch that 2 legged horse and get a 4X4.

Well technically (and I know you know this) a 4wd is still just a 2wd unless you have locking difs just like my truck is actually a 1wd. 4wd is not the answer, but merely an option.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by dubthang

Sand bags are the length of the space between the wheel tub and tail gate so this doesn't matter. Placing a bag over the axle or 18 inches behind it doesn't make a difference.

Actually it does make a difference. Brush up on your physics a bit then you will see why this is.

[dubthang]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Actually it does make a difference. Brush up on your physics a bit then you will see why this is.

Oh I know my physics. I am a commercial driver by trade. I know all about load placement over axles.

Here's a quick lesson for you. Current production 2wd trucks have a front end weight bias. They have lower front ends due to crash regulations, and for improving gas milage. This creates a higher ride hight in the rear. Direct placement over the axle is slightly foward of a true perpendicular line with the ground thus adding weight to both the rear and front axles. Weight placed behind the rear axle actually creates more rearward weight as it slightly unsprings the front, and shifts weight to rear. Think of the difference between a gooseneck trailer, and a typical bumper hitch as it may help you visualize what is actually going on here.