I have a 2002 Ford Ranger with a 4.0 and automatic. It’s a cab and a half 4 door. I have never driven it in the snow until yesterday. Didn’t know anything could drive that bad. I’ve become spoiled with front wheel drives. If I added weight over the back wheels what should I add? Material suggestions and weight. Thanks.

 

When I lived in the Northeast, I used to have four full sand bags, two on top of each wheel, sometimes three each. (Thinking sand bags are about 30 lbs. each x 3 = 90 lbs each wheel).
Two sand bag each wheel is good too.
Get waterproof bags, if the sand get wet you can't use it on the road if needed. LoL !
The best part about using sand bag is if you do get stuck the sand might help you get out.

Ltr

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 paid $620. for five installed at Costco. Drove from Salem Oregon to Ft Worth Texas in mid December. These tires rode snow and ice just as good as they do pavement. Maybe you should consider them and possibly a set of Snow Socks instead of studds and or chains.

2005 XL 5spd rwd. Tire size 235/75/R15

 

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 paid $620. for five installed at Costco. Drove from Salem Oregon to Ft Worth Texas in mid December. These tires rode snow and ice just as good as they do pavement. Maybe you should consider them and possibly a set of Snow Socks instead of studds and or chains.

2005 XL 5spd rwd. Tire size 235/75/R15

 

Thanks very much for this information.

 

I'm in northeastern Michigan, so, I know a thing or two about winter driving. I have 240# of sandbags, my spare tire/wheel, and a toolbox in the bed, about 320#. Truck is very similar to yours, including RWD. I do have an LSD rear axle, and 5 speed manual. Also have a 2020 F1150, 4X4 sitting in the barn, rarely used in winter. IMO, if it's so bad I need the 150, I'll likely stay home, that thing is a pavement princess.
Forgot to mention, I also have 265/75/16 Goodyear DuraTracs on it. Those Blizzacks are very good winter tires, but for winter, not the other 9 month's, they are a much softer tire compound that really helps traction on ice/snow, but wear quickly in warmer weather. So, plan on two sets tires/wheels. The DuraTracs I run year round.
Gotta remember, I'm a victim of 71 Michigan winters, so you could say I have a little experience.

 

Red Ranger

 

I love my Rangers... but there is a definite weak point on slick surfaces, especially at highway speeds.

I have found that having a canopy/topper/cap helps a lot, with my tool boxes placed over the axle. I also kept about 40 lbs of salt/gravel mix in a plastic bin for weight and if I got stuck (I've used it to help people more than I've used it).
I've run studded winter tires here in the past due to the ice and polished hard pack snow, but that's a regional thing (they don't salt or plow much here). This winter I'm running BFG A/T, but it only gets driven once a week and I have a AWD car with studded tires to get me around.

I think the Ranger was designed more for hauling and less for empty box driving in the winter, so the more weight in the back and less chance of the rear bouncing will add stability and traction.

 

Yes, rear wheel drive has always been a weak point on any pickup truck on any loose surfaces, even sand and gravel, let alone snow or ice, and ice can side line a TANK, lol, so its almost a moot point as far as weight on drive wheels

That's why front wheel drives do so much better on loose surfaces, there is always the weight of the engine and trans on the drive wheels
But there is also a bit of physics involved as well, "its easier to PULL a load, than to PUSH a load" across any surface
Rear wheel drive tends to push the front wheels down into loose materials, creating greater resistance, front wheel drive tends to lift the front over the loose material so less resitance

4 wheel drives main benefit on loose material is that it changes rear wheel drive into a front wheel drive

Adding weight above the drive wheels is for sure a benefit for traction, but the front wheels still tend to dig in causing greater resistance