Winter Driving

[NiteRunner]

Just loaded 4 - 60lb Sand Bags into the bed of my F-150 for a total of 240lbs. Placed them like so across the rear axle,

2 Sand Bags - Dog Box (approx 50-75lbs) - 2 Sand Bags

()-----------------^view from back of truck^---------------------()

I couldn't feel a difference while driving, and I'm thinking another 2-4 more bags might help?

And, Is over the rear axle the best spot to place all of the weight?

Truck is a 2 Wheel Drive Short bed Super cab, if that makes a difference.

Any other winter truck driving tips?

[lil hunter]

Wheres the fun in that? The more traction you have, the less ability you have to whip the rearend around those corners!

[Shaun_300]

That should be lots of weight. 240lbs across the axle will give you quite a bit more traction. Get some snow tires on! Good thing about getting snow tires is both your summers and winters will last twice as long. You'll go through 2 sets of tires no matter what, so it's better to have a set of summer and a set of winter to be a lot more safe. Don't see too many vehicles up here without snow tires. In Quebec it's the law, you NEED to have them.

[TBow]

Just a suggestion:

Make sure all your loads are secured, as they'll become catapolted in the event of an accident.

Just make sure not to place the weight at the tail gate (right at the rear), as the theory goes that it could lighten the front end making the steering less responsive, plus the catapolt factor would be greater too.

TBow

[redkneck]

First schematic I've ever seen made out of text, lol.

[LETMGROW]

Just a suggestion:

Make sure all your loads are secured, as they'll become catapolted in the event of an accident.

Just make sure not to place the weight at the tail gate (right at the rear), as the theory goes that it could lighten the front end making the steering less responsive, plus the catapolt factor would be greater too.

TBow

This took the words right out of my mouth.

Thanks TBow.

I always kept weight at the front of the box though. This also adds some weight to the front end for steering control as well as reducing the tendancy for the rear end to step out on a slippery road.

Strap her down! Those sand bags are missels waiting to be launched.

Lynn

[LETMGROW]

That should be lots of weight. 240lbs across the axle will give you quite a bit more traction. Get some snow tires on! Good thing about getting snow tires is both your summers and winters will last twice as long. You'll go through 2 sets of tires no matter what, so it's better to have a set of summer and a set of winter to be a lot more safe. Don't see too many vehicles up here without snow tires. In Quebec it's the law, you NEED to have them.

I have to agree with Quebec's thinking on this one. These so called All Season tires are a joke up here. All 3 of my vehicles are 4-wd but I still change over 2 of them to good winter tread tires for the winter. The third uses them all year around. Mainly for the mud in the fields.

One wrecker call bill will offset about 1/2 the cost of the tires.

Lynn

[NiteRunner]

Enough weight, but snow tires would help the situation. Snow tires are something that no one has really suggested. Certainly something to look into though, and as soon as I figure out what size I need, maybe I'll call a couple places and get some prices.

Thank you! :yes:

[LETMGROW]

Any other winter truck driving tips?

I have one really important one.

SLOW DOWN!!!!!

Winter driving is much more dangerous when you don't take into consideration the loss of grip you have on snow and ice. Any amount of either can greatly increase stopping distance. Keep back a little farther from somebody you may be following to give yourself a little added room. Watch those intersections with a stop sign you have to stop for. Often times you will find cars ahead of you have slid to a stop and polished the ice on the road to the point you have almost no traction at all. Plan your stops well in advance, even if the intersection doesn't look slippery. It probably is!

Don't make quick turns when moving. Try to be smooth with all your actions.

Don't try using high beam lights when it is snowing. The bright lights will only reflect back at you making seeing much more difficult.

Keep your wiper blades in good condition. I prefer the booted winter blades. They help keep ice from building up on the blades and lifting them off the windshield glass. Keep your windshield washer bottle full of de-icing cleaner.

Expect the " other guy " to do something stupid. He probably will. Stay a little more to the right to give yourself a little more space to avoid an oncoming vehicle sliding over into your lane.

If you do go off the road and get stuck be sure traffic is clear before you exit your vehicle. Call for help immediately. If you are going to leave the engine running for heat, be sure the tail pipe is unobstructed so carbon monoxide won't fill up the passenger compartment. Keep an extra jacket or blankets in your vehicle to keep everyone warm in the event you do have to shut the motor off. Take enough clothing along to dress warmly if you do have to go for help.

Oh,yeah, did I mention: SLOW DOWN!!!!!

Be Safe,

Lynn

Edited November 26, 2010 by LETMGROW

[Shaun_300]

Awesome post Lynn!

[LETMGROW]

Awesome post Lynn!

Thanks Shaun

I could go on and on but would rather hit the high notes and not be so lenghty no one would read it.

Lynn