4x4 Sierra With Winter Tires - Add Weight To Bed?

[Overclock]

Thinking of winter already and want to be preparred.

 

This will be the first winter with the Sierra so I really don't know what to expect out of a Canadian winter.

I'll be ordering some Blizzak's in the next month.

Do you guys recommend adding weight to the bed? If so...does regular sand bags work? how do you prevent leakage and how do you hold them down so they don't slide?

I will need use of the bed over the winter and that's why i'm concerned if they'll slide.

 

Thanks

[rockcrusherrevived]

Thinking of winter already and want to be preparred.

 

This will be the first winter with the Sierra so I really don't know what to expect out of a Canadian winter.

I'll be ordering some Blizzak's in the next month.

Do you guys recommend adding weight to the bed? If so...does regular sand bags work? how do you prevent leakage and how do you hold them down so they don't slide?

I will need use of the bed over the winter and that's why i'm concerned if they'll slide.

 

Thanks

 

when the roads are bad snow cover i fill my gas tank to the top for weight

[Daryl LBZ]

Thinking of winter already and want to be preparred.

 

This will be the first winter with the Sierra so I really don't know what to expect out of a Canadian winter.

I'll be ordering some Blizzak's in the next month.

Do you guys recommend adding weight to the bed? If so...does regular sand bags work? how do you prevent leakage and how do you hold them down so they don't slide?

I will need use of the bed over the winter and that's why i'm concerned if they'll slide.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

I don't use any weight or snow tires. I drive as much when its snowing as I would any other time, and I haven't ran into a problem yet. Ive ran mine through my yard and a field with snow up past the lower valance and haven't got stuck. Depending on how deep it gets Id say snow tires are good enough.

[leverlution]

Im in the same boat as you, wondering about winter. First season with this truck. Don't have the means to change these goodyear wrangler STs though. They will have to hold

 

I did have an 04 2500 crew cab long bed a few years ago in the snow (horrible with street tires). My advice is NOT to use regular sand bags if you don't have a cap or tonneau. Either tell the hardware store these are for a truck bed for weight, and spend the extra money on the sand with the heavy duty plastic bags, or buy one of those things MADE for pickups. Its kind of like an air matress shaped for your bed, but you fill it with water. It freezes to ice, adds a few hundred pounds evenly to the bed, and you can put things on top of it.

 

I bought regular paper bagged play sand one year when I got caught in an unexpected storm. Bags ripped open in the bed, and the ones that didn't ripped open in my hand while removing them. Ended up with a few hundred pounds of sand in my driveway/front yard. Not fun. Lol.

[focijoe]

Just put it in 4x4 and drive. Thats what I do. Never been stuck yet.

[leverlution]

Just curious, you have factory AT's?

[Nick The Great]

This is going to be my 3rd winter with this truck. I came from a 2WD RCSB Silverado and went to a 4WD CCSB Silverado. I still have the stock tires on the truck.

 

Th first winter, I put my 4 sandbags in and had no problems. Decent amount of snow and ice, and was pretty much in Auto4WD all the time, and would occasionally go into 4HI. 2nd winter, I left my sandbags out. 3rd worst winter on record, lots of snow and ice and stayed in Auto4Wd all the time.

 

I couldn't tell any difference and that is a testament to the truck. Between the Auto4WD, traction control, and that gray matter between your ears, you should be just fine.

[maxco]

I agree, with 4wd these trucks are great. As long as you drive with your head according to the conditions you will be fine. I just have the factory A/T's and last year they were on their last legs and I was fine.

[importkiller76]

Drivin trucks since I was old enough to drive and around here we get pretty snowy, icy, and very COLD winters and I've (nor has anyone I know) put weight in the back of a 4x4. I personally think winter tires on a truck is a waste of time and money as well but if it makes you feel better by all means. Learn to drive for the conditions and you'll be just fine!

[fbachman]

All of my previous Fords required balast, and, even so, were like riding a surf board in the snow, and, occasionally, even in just rain.

 

My GMT900 with the factory 20s with Goodyear Eagle Low Profile tires (not exactly "off road" or AT tires) has been excellent in the winter (snow, ice and everything in between).

 

Just leave it in "Auto", and this thing believes, and behaves, like is is an M1 tank. I have been, and remain, impresse with the GMT900s and how they handle adverse road conditions. I can only imagine that tires more suited to those conditons would make mine even more capable in the white stuff.

 

As indicated above, as long as the accelerator steering wheel interface ( ) remains reasonable about things, you will be just fine, and probably quite surprised.

[leverlution]

Appreciate the comments about the street tires. That's what I was waiting for. Coming off a wrangler rubicon with severe snow rated ATs, I was a little concerned for this year. Sounds like I may be able to continue driving for the hospital in this truck if we get another bad winter. Now im kind of anxious for a blizzard.

[Big Whiskey]

Just put it in 4x4 and drive. Thats what I do. Never been stuck yet.

 

Ditto. Wouldn't waste time or money on sand bags or snow tires if you've got a 4x4. They get around pretty good.

[Samsfire]

I def would not bother adding weight. I see you're from Oshawa, I am in Port Elgin a couple hrs away, and we get a ton of snow here throughout the winters so understand your concern. Last winter I ran Michelin LTX MS2's which are by no means an overly aggressive tire. Not once did I question the trucks ability, I have to get to work even when they close the highways around here, and get stuck using the backroads as they are the only thing open to get into work. I have driven in 2 feet of snow, and just put it in 4Hi and used common sense, don't go looking for challenges non stop and there certainly won't be an issue. These trucks handle very well in the snow!

[imollison]

I live in Ottawa and run with 3 X 40 KG of salt in the back. Bags are heavy plastic and lasted a full season, but last year I dumped then into a large rubbermaid style box with a top. I started of by builting a small wooden frame that holds the bags right at the tailgate, so more weight is over the axle. Never had a problem.....and I am running the stock tires for now.

 

Only time the truck was squirrelly going around a corner, I did not have the bags in at the time.

[Porter_]

i put sandbags in the bed because my commute involves freeway driving. it's nice to leave it in 2WD and the weight in the back provides a little peace of mind. it helps to keep the rear tires planted. however, i have a manual t-case which means i do not have an Auto4WD option. if i had this option, i'm sure i'd still get sandbags....but i can see how others would not.

 

if you're on the fence, then why not just buy the sandbags? they're cheap and last for more than one winter. they may impact mileage a bit due to added weight, but certainly not more than the hit you'd take by 4WD constantly engaging/disengaging.