Sandbags or other / how much and were?

[Arquest]

Just wanted to see what others who run around out there on snow and ice with an older 2WD Ranger think...

1) How much weight do you use?
2) Where do you position it?
3) What material do you find best?

Here is what I am thinking of doing...

1) Aprox 250 lbs
2) Right over the rear axle (I have heard that placing it behind the axle can reduce weight on the front end potentially causing steering control issues)
3) I am thinking sand ($4 for 60lbs at Home Depot - comes to around $0.07 per pound) but may end up using kitty litter (at $0.15 to $0.20 per pound).
KL Pros: - Melts snow
- It can then be 'used' in the spring for it's intended purpose.
KL Cons: - More Expensive
- Probably needs to be placed inside an outer bag to eliminate bag failure due to moisture...

So - what do you guys do and/or suggest?

 

[therieldeal]

i dont think kitty litter actually melts snow... but i could be wrong. if you have to break a bag open to get yourself unstuck i'd think it would give you more traction though, due to the larger granules.

 

[Shran]

Tractor weights, right behind the cab, however many I can find. Usually just one 100lb weight.

Kitty litter doesn't melt snow, but it does soak up oil.

 

[rangerbum]

I'd just get tube sand. Last year I got some free ones from an old customer that had them sitting in her yard and couldnt move them. 80Lbs a piece. they cost $3.79 a bag around here. I hauled all 9 of them away but only used two through the winter. I have found that my truck is better with no weight at all on ice. Even with the weight over the axle or close to the cab, my front end will slide when I turn, which is worse than having the rear end out. Btw, rangers dont really like hauling 700 pounds in the bed.

 

[exbass94]

Btw, rangers dont really like hauling 700 pounds in the bed.

Mine does, I've had over 1000 lbs in the bed and aside from the suspension being a bit softer, I didn't even notice it back there.

 

[Psychopete]

Last year I ran 3 bags of 60 pound sand (180lbs). Made a world of difference. That was the first year I added any weight at all.

This year, Tempo is winter D/D. FWD just works so much better for me and having an automatic. Didn't get stuck once last year, where as there would be times I'd have to get out and push my Ranger from the drivers door in some situations (like wet ice).

Pete

 

[dburton07]

im running 2 50lb bags of "play sand" from home depot, i have them right up against the tailgate, yes my truck is 4wd but i dont use it unless the roads are really REALLY bad. havent had any trouble so far...

 

[9's]

Im gonna run out and get a few sand tubes tonight. Im in Chicago area and we just got hit with our 1st snowfall.
Also my 1st winter with the ranger -94 4.0 5spd 2WD.
How much are wenches? heh he
And YES, people are idiots out there. Its like they are new at it all over again.

 

[Parsonator73]

i built a frame out of 2x4's that fits into the bed liner i have. i made it so it holds 6 cinder blocks (probably close to 200 pounds in total). they are right over the rear axle and they don't slide around. i also keep a bucket of sand and a shovel in the bed for when i need some extra traction. its a great setup.

 

[Mark_88]

Last year I ran 3 bags of 60 pound sand (180lbs). Made a world of difference. That was the first year I added any weight at all.

This year, Tempo is winter D/D. FWD just works so much better for me and having an automatic. Didn't get stuck once last year, where as there would be times I'd have to get out and push my Ranger from the drivers door in some situations (like wet ice).

Pete

Yah, my Tempo was great in the snow...only stuck once in 14 years...and that was on a 50* incline that was pretty much a sheet of ice...even had trouble walking from where I had to abandon it...

Ranger with a 2.3 I wouldn't put more than 150 lbs usually...and typically that is made up of spare parts, tools, and granny in her rocker...but keep the gas tank topped up if it's going to be messy...one of the easiest ways to add a good chunk of weight...

 

[1996 fordranger 4x4 stx]

I buy ( 3 ) tube sands from ace hardware at 60 pounds each and that is what I use EVERY year.

 

[GB4000]

I've been considering the sand bag thing even for the rain, but doesn't it shift all over the place? (Bed Liner)

 

[BlackBII]

I sometimes throw my dead girlfriends in the bed, 2 of 'em will usually net you around 210 pounds, about perfect for the snowy days. Gotta watch out for the 5.0's tho, they tend to get suspicious.

Actually, I used sandbags I bought for sandblasting, turns out they get real heavy when wet and are tougher to lift outta your truck when it's lifted 6 inches, so you just dont move 'em.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i run 4 60lb bags of the quickrete tube sand and i have a set of 4 cooper weather master snow tires. the 2.3l is a dog anyways, and with 240 lbs. of sand and a full tank of gas i have never had a problem in the 4 years of michigan winter ive been driving in. having a manual trans also adds to the control factor as you can spin your tires up to make a corner or cut the power to stop a slide.

 

[srteach]

Tube sand in the bag, in a cut up truck tire tube (a little hard to find sometimes). The inner tube is cut into 2 or 3 sections so that you have a tube of rubber. Place the sand bags inside the inner tube pieces and close the ends of the inner tube securely. The inner tube/sand combo conforms to the surface it sits on and doesn't move from where they are placed, even in a sudden stop.
The tube sand will conform all by itself without the inner tube, but can make a mess when you try to remove it in the spring.