Getting ready for winter. Our neighbors to the north have already received a dusting of snow, and we've got one forecasted for Monday.

Since this will be my first winter with the Ranger (4X2), quick question for the Northerners - how much weight do you put in the back?

 

My gramps used to run 200lbs of sand in his old S10

We dont get real winter here anymore so i couldnt give you a personal opinion

 

i've never put anything in the back of my truck, if its super bad just put in 4x4 :P haha to bad for you.

one of my sisters boyfriend had a 4x2 ranger, he just had the back packed full of snow. haha. it worked i guess.

 

with my 1st gen i would put my homemade ramps in the back of the bed (200 lbs easy)
never had any problems

haven't driven my newer truck in the snow yet....got it in Feb.
with the bed cover at about 100 lbs and the 100 + lbs of tools in the bed, i'd say i'm pretty solid....just drive carefully and properly for the conditions.

 

You need one of these. A bit pricy at $120, but it beats sand, cinder blocks or any of the other loose junk most guys put in the back.
Getting stuck or having a wreck can cost you a lot more.
If you hit the brakes hard that crap will all shift on you. I know.

Compact Truck ShurTrax Bed Weight at StylinTrucks.com

 

ya we get real winters here in BC and i usually just put the truck in 4wd because i'd be screwed without it.. the toolies dont plow our road till the afternoon after a snowstorm or something so there can be a foot of snow on the roads and its not so fun when you live 20kms from the nearest town.. but i'd go with others and say around 200lbs or so should do the trick..

 

dont get this. the water that is in the bad is real hard on your tranny and on your breaks. not cuz of the weight but rather cuz the load is always shifting in the bed and it will cause strewss then no stress then stress then no stress and the weight shifts back and fourth on acceleration, breaking and cornering. i would jus put some sandbags (usually free during rainy season) or cinderblocks or w.e. bu id stay away from the water bags

 

if you have a plastic bedliner like me dont put concrete slabs or blocks in it, because they will slide around like a bastard.. i have the Pendaliner plastic crap in my truck i put two 24x30 slabs in my truck and all they did was slide around and i even put rubber mats down the slabs were on top of the mats.

 

Driving in New England in 2 wheel drive is not fun in the snow or ice.
My last truck was a 4x2 and the back end was way too lite, you need as the other have suggested 200 minimum.
The water bag is a good idea but $$$$$.

 

i would throw some sand bags in there. plus if you get stuck, you always have sand with you for traction. maybe some tow ropes and a shovel too. better to be prepared then not. never know when someone (ie. hottie) gets stuck and needs some help.

 

Im glad South eastern VA doesnt get snow like that cause thats too much work to get ready for winter.

 

200lbs will help.. I used to use bags of 1/2 inch gravel. That way if the bag develops a hole you don't get sand all over the place. Make sure it's well secured so that it doesn't come flying forward when you hit the brakes.
The best solution though would be a good set of All-Terrain, or proper winter tires. Tires make all the difference in snow and icy conditions...

 

200lbs will help.. I used to use bags of 1/2 inch gravel. That way if the bag develops a hole you don't get sand all over the place. Make sure it's well secured so that it doesn't come flying forward when you hit the brakes.
The best solution though would be a good set of All-Terrain, or proper winter tires. Tires make all the difference in snow and icy conditions...

 

I usually put about 200-300 lbs of concrete blocks in the back of mine. I secure them in there as the best that I can. They dont slide around any. I know someone will shoot me down for using them but get over it.

 

Go back and reread the add. It specifically says.

"Baffles are "die-electrically welded" into place to prevent surging during cornering."

Weight such as sandbags, concrete blocks, cord wood or W.E. are potential projectiles if you get into any emergency maneuvers.
Unlike sandbags, etc. this bag has "Four point grommet tie-downs which allow for safe, secure weight " It won't shift.
I don't sell these things and it NEVER snows where I live now. So I don't care. You do whatever you want.
I did live in New York for many years and would have loved to have one of these things back then.

Just my $.02

 

100-400lbs over the axle, depends on conditions.

 

Whatever you put back there, make sure it is tied down and secured. In an accident, anything that is back there becomes a projectile.

 

There is a good chance seeing that you are using it for traction in the winter that the water is gonna be FROZEN!!! But these are supposed to be great products. Just fill if when you need it, drain it and it takes up no room when you dont.

I threw sand bags back there one winter, but gave up on that and just use 4x4 unless I am on a freeway/highway because you just have more control in general, and if you do spin your not gonna go sideways as fast. We have snow on the ground here now, not enough to be fun yet tho...

 

with my old 2wd ranger i threw in as much weight as possible which was probably about 300lbs, it was hard having a 4.0 sohc 2wd 5 speed in the snow.

go get some bfg a/t ko's and lower the psi like crazy, that combined with the weight will be very good in the snow.

 

I use four 60lb-80lb tube style sand, comes in a sort of long slender canvas sack it seems a little better suited for using as weight. usually at lumber yards.
we get some nasty winters around here and ive had a 4x2 and i would get stuck every day trying to the job and back. ... its somewhat hilly terrain around here though.

 

I have a bedliner, so to keep things put in the back, I place a 4' piece of 2" PVC tubing behind the wheel wells, then toss 4- 50lbs. bags of pea-gravel on board. I make sure one bag hops on top of the tube a little to keep it down. The bags have really tough and thick plastic on them. I've used 'em for 5 years or so now. And if I need to, I can bust a bag open and use the pea stones for emergency traction. I hope to eventually get a bed extender that I can rotate over to portion off the rear part of the bed.