First winter in my truck...

[TheNikeMan]

We've got about 1/2" of ice on the ground right now, and expecting 10-12" of snow this evening.

 

I've got a 2006 Silverado Ext. Cab Hybrid 2WD 5.3 V8.

 

I bought 5 sand tubes last night, and put them evenly in the bed between the wheel well humps (also have an Extang cover), so I am hoping that helps (it works in my dads Silverado 2WD). Any other suggestions to help out? I can do some 2nd gear starts, and will probably have it in tow mode, so that my hybrid option is turned off (tends to roll backwards when engine is off to when I get back on the gas).

 

Thanks in advance!

[pwall]

Snow tires.....

[bdeboer]

When I had a 2x4 truck, I used to cut a 2x4 and place it on edge behind the wheel wells to keep the sand bags between the 2x4 and the tail gate to keep them from sliding forward.

[SoCalChris]

When I had a 2x4 truck, I used to cut a 2x4 and place it on edge behind the wheel wells to keep the sand bags between the 2x4 and the tail gate to keep them from sliding forward.

 

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That's a good idea, my bags keep sliding up to the cab.

 

On another note, what's a good amount of weight to have back there? I've got 300 pounds of sandbags right now, and still managed to slide through an intersection today while only going about 5mph.

[TheNikeMan]

When I had a 2x4 truck, I used to cut a 2x4 and place it on edge behind the wheel wells to keep the sand bags between the 2x4 and the tail gate to keep them from sliding forward.

 

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That's a good idea, my bags keep sliding up to the cab.

 

On another note, what's a good amount of weight to have back there? I've got 300 pounds of sandbags right now, and still managed to slide through an intersection today while only going about 5mph.

 

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I was wondering that too, I have 5 bags, at 50 or 60 lbs each....

[yukon4wd]

...

On another note, what's a good amount of weight to have back there? I've got 300 pounds of sandbags right now, and still managed to slide through an intersection today while only going about 5mph. 

 

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The sand bags in the bed are to give you rear wheel traction, they will help stop you a little bit, but they are really to keep you straight, and get you going.

 

Pwal got it part right, when he said you need snow tires, what he forgot to add, is that you need snow tires, and also that you need snow tires.

[dewfpo]

duplicate

[dewfpo]

Aggressive, soft compound snow and ice tires (plenty of siping). You'd be surprized at how much difference they make.

 

DEWFPO

[pm26]

When I had a 2x4 truck, I used to cut a 2x4 and place it on edge behind the wheel wells to keep the sand bags between the 2x4 and the tail gate to keep them from sliding forward.

 

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That's a good idea, my bags keep sliding up to the cab.

 

On another note, what's a good amount of weight to have back there? I've got 300 pounds of sandbags right now, and still managed to slide through an intersection today while only going about 5mph.

 

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We have some compact crane test weights where I work. They are 1 inch steel plate welded boxes filled with lead. To give you an idea, a square weight that is 5X5x2.5 ft weighs 40,000 lbs !!!!!! Yes, 20 tons!!!! Drop one of these in the bed of your truck and you will never slide again!!!! (or drive your truck for that matter).

[Rolandd]

Think of the sand bags coming at you at 60-70MPH. Would you want a single 2x4 wedged into the bed to be the only thing between you and the bags? Build a box with 2x12's such that the front 2x12 runs across the front of the bed and then attach two 2x12's paralell to the frame such that they fit just inside the wheel wells. Add a fourth 2x12 across the ends of the two 2x12's paralell with the axle and stack your sand bags behind this last piece. If you hit something, the system will be in compression with itself and against the inside of the front of the bed with plenty of area to distribute the load.

[kssooner]

I would think you would want more than 300 lbs...that is just a guess though. Another thought would be...buy a 4 wheel drive truck...j/k

[OFF-RD]

A 2 wheel drive truck is actually the most worthless vehicle on the road when it snows. Been there, done that. About the only thing you can do is add lots of weight to the rear, and get some tires on the rear that have good tread. Personally, I prefer the mud terrain style tires for snow...they dig much better and clean themselves better than those crappy highway tread "snow tires" do. And when it comes to ice...nothing works except for steel tank tracks so you are out of luck.

[jhm]

When I had a 2wd pick up, actually it was 4wd but the high went out, I put 300# of tube sand and had no problems at all, they didnt shift forwards, they were pretty much locked in by the wheel wells. The only bad part was the decreased gas mileage. Snows with studs cant be beat.

[yukon4wd]

Aggressive, soft compound snow and ice tires (plenty of siping).  You'd be surprized at how much difference they make.

 

DEWFPO

 

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Siping? is that the name for the little squiggly cuts in the treat that grip on ice? I always wanted a name for them thanks.

[cyoung1253]

I drove a 2wd 4.3L 5-speed S-10 for 10 years here in Maine. Never got stuck or went off the road. Had the locking diff and always ran 4 studded snow tires. I never added any weight, just let the bed fill up with snow Smooth driving is key to getting around in winter conditions with a 2wd pick-up. I'm looking forward to my first winter with a full size 4wd