truck traction tip

[70charginglizard]

I've been seeing these new rear wheel wheels water weight bags showing up at the auto part stores recently and have been really thinking about buying one for extra rear wheel traction. Hate sand bags for this because they leave the bedliner completely dirty by the end of the winter. Problem is they want like 120 bucks for these things  and it got me to thinking. How much do they charge at the regular stores like Target for those twin size inflatable matresses. Found one at Target for 8 bucks! filled it with water in the back bed of my truck and presto....I saved myself over 100 dollars and get the exact same traction results. Granted it's blue and not black but so what!

Just thought I'd give you truck guys here the tip in case your interested.

[Silver R/T]

That should help. Myself I got rid of my 2wd truck and now looking for 4wd truck, while driving fwd car.

[70charginglizard]

That should help. Myself I got rid of my 2wd truck and now looking for 4wd truck, while driving fwd car.

My dakota is 4 X 4 but I still like the extra traction weight in the back bed even though I can shift to 4 X

[Silver R/T]

in the end if you don't have good tires it doesn't matter what weight you got on back/front. If you got bad tires nothing will help.

[70charginglizard]

in the end if you don't have good tires it doesn't matter what weight you got on back/front. If you got bad tires nothing will help.

These good enought for ya. 

I still think a little added weight in the back of a truck is not a bad thing. Especially when you  got some snowy or slushy conditions.

[Troy]

My big concern would be the water freezing which would expand and rip the mattress which would allow all the water to leak out the next time it gets warm. If you don't fill it all the way up then it may be ok. I agree that sand makes a giant mess. Both my truck are four wheel drive and this is the first year I haven't put weight in the bed. Luckily, we haven't had much snow to worry about (until today). Since I park outside the bed is usually full of snow so that adds its own weight.

Troy

[472 R/T SE]

And doing it like that, which is by all means correct, will give you the sloshing feeling wheneven stopping or taking off.  Unless the mattress has baffles. 

[TruckDriver]

Whats wrong, you guys don't like having some excitement when you drive in snow?  

I don't put any extra weight in my Dakota and have no problems. Long as the front tires grip the road good, and you really know all the tricks to driving in snow, (when you should let off or excellerate) you shouldn't have a problem. Of all the 4x4s I ever had, I never put any weight in the back. And I am always slinging the back of the truck around. Kinda like Drifting







Anybody wanna ride in the snow with me..............................................................................

[Bandit72]

i usually dont' worry about putting weight in the back of my truck and it's 2 wheel drive, but when i do i use the rear wheel weights off of my Farmall M

[70charginglizard]

My big concern would be the water freezing which would expand and rip the mattress which would allow all the water to leak out the next time it gets warm. If you don't fill it all the way up then it may be ok. I agree that sand makes a giant mess. Both my truck are four wheel drive and this is the first year I haven't put weight in the bed. Luckily, we haven't had much snow to worry about (until today). Since I park outside the bed is usually full of snow so that adds its own weight.

Troy

Yeah I thought about that when I filled it. It's only filled about 80-90 percent.

Again guys, this was just a tip for people who might be considering buying the expensive real unit (over a hundred bucks) vs the 8 dollar cheap expendable air matress alternative. which to me, seems to serve the same purpose, save me some coin and wont ruin my bedlining paint.

Even if it freezes up and cracks, I'm only out 8 bucks. and as far as the sloshing back and forth. I haven't seen anything signifigant from the matress doing that. Unless I'm perhaps getting on it which I rarely do in my truck anyway. I don't think inner baffels would really make that much of a difference with what I'm seeing. It will probably only freeze up on me if I left the truck outside which I don't. All my vehicles get a nice warm and cozy garage to sleep in at night. 

Either way, if anyone considering this I just wanted have them think first before forking out 139 bucks.

you do have alternatives-

Either this for $119-139.00- http://www.autoanything.com/hitch-bed-accessories/65A2868A0A0.aspx

or my cheap expendable $8-10.00 dollar idea- http://cgi.ebay.com/Coleman-Spacesaver-Twin-Size-Air-Mattress-Airbed-cot_W0QQitemZ300070645562QQihZ020QQcategoryZ66734QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

you decide.

[Silver R/T]

does siping help at all? Or is it just another way to rip-off people?

[RECHRGD]

does siping help at all? Or is it just another way to rip-off people?

Siping does work !!  In fact most of the good snow tires now come with factory siping.  As long as you've got some good tread on the tires siping is a cheap way to go for added traction.  Bob

[Troy]

Another thing to consider... is that thing tied down? Imagine getting into a wreck with a 200lb block of ice in a mattress condom getting chucked out of the bed!

Troy

[70charginglizard]

Another thing to consider... is that thing tied down? Imagine getting into a wreck with a 200lb block of ice in a mattress condom getting chucked out of the bed!

Troy

Sand bags wouldn't be much better and thats what most people who have been looking for additional rear wheel weight have been doing over the winter months.

but a good point Troy.

I will definately be keeping my eye on it and watching for ice and be sure to not leave the truck out at night when it gets cold.