Lets See Some Winter Traction Solution Photos

[coloradosean2009]

Here are a few pictures of my solution to 2wd in Colorado winter.

My goal is to add weight that will (1) remain in place (2)is not very expensive (3) will not make a mess, and (4) reusable in the future.

The "tube sand" that is sold across this country is the biggest ripoff ever. You get 40# in a "tube" for ~ $3-4. The best part about the tube sand is when it breaks all over the back of your bed. Even worse, when you do get stuck, you end up breaking into the bag early.

I have used this method in the past with great success. I have a couple of 4x4 and some 2x6 hem/fir. Three 25 gal rubbermaid bins (make sure you buy the soft plastic bins, harder plastic will crack in the cold).

The old gal weighs # 4,620 before, #5,220 after. That is # 600 of "squeege" mix (sand and irregular fines < 3/16"). The bins are nice because I will have a supply of dry traction sand, when I need it. I am also going to add some small plywood covers to hide my chains from thieving eyes.

Total Cost:
3 bins $ 22.00
Wood/screws $ 35.00
Sand $ 7.41
Total. $64.41

Equivalent Weight in Tubesand @ 3.50/lb = $52.50

I think I have accomplished my goals. Of course, the real savings will come years down the road when I don't have to invest in the hardware.

Lets see what your solutions are

[nbrfd007]

Great idea! We don't get snow like you, but when we do, I take my tractor with a front-end loader and load my bed with snow. When it warms up, the weight melts away. Not for truck in garages, bad mess.

[mikey531]

This is mine ...

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by mikey531

This is mine ...

This pic should be in the Volvo thread in Alternate Tinkerings!

[haysonj]

My solution is to stay in California

[BAGNDRAGIT]

Originally Posted by haysonj

My solution is to stay in California

for me its arizona. snow....whats that?

[silverstreak]

Good idea with the sand. I have 4 old tractor trailer tires mounted on rims I put in the bed as needed. They even fit under my bed cover. Even though it's a non posi rear, it usually does the trick.

[d4xycrq]

For traction, I sling one or two of my three-point implements into the back of this snow-mover. Another option is logs - they are free. I know people that use lead shot. Or five gallon buckets of wheel weights from the local tire store. Weight, coupled with chains on all four wheels, means I keep moving. My Chevy C10? It stays safe and sound in the garage until spring!



Although this is a Willys product, it came with a Buick 350 that runs like a top - and is still working, after all these years.

Best regards

Ray

[Hottrucks]

the tube idea is a great one just wrong material here how you fix it for CHEAP

get a truck tube cut it across ( look you have a long tube) roll a 2x4 in one end of it then nail or screw anther though the tube into the other 2x4..( look it's sealed at one end)

guess whats next?? fill it with sand DUH!!! tie the other end off and your done...you can adjust the weight by filing it more or less.and if you get stuck untie the end grab the coffee can you threw in before you tied it off and sand your tires... works in cars or truck and is clean.......

[americanmusc1e]

when you live in South Texas.... Winter= rainy season..........so....

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by haysonj

My solution is to stay in California

Doesn't work well at the other end of California...



My solution is to engage the front axle.
If that's not enough, shovel snow into the bed.
If that's still not enough, stay home and stoke the fire. Nobody else will be out either.

[Average Joe]

I've got (2) 14" tires that I filled with leftover concrete from a pour. I added a half round piece of #4 rebar for a handle on each. Each tire weighs around 150#'s.

[gangforward]

Originally Posted by haysonj

My solution is to stay in California

Yes indeed - main reason I moved from Idaho (Eastern, near Jackson Hole) to Florida.

[big mike71]

I just put a load of fire wood in the back.

[special-K]

Those tubs all framed in are the best solution.Weight is easy to add.The problem is having it stay put.Around here,you shovel your bed full of snow and you might be hauling a glacier for a couple months.I clean it all out before it does the refreeze.

It snows in California and Arizona,just not on you flatlanders.

[kwmech]

Big innertube in the back . I have an adaptor that allows you to put water into the tube. (tractor supply). Or I just drive my subaru

[GMC406]

around here a fairly common fix is just iron weights like tractor wheel weights, tractor front end weights or weights off an oilfeild pumping unit. They are small enough to keep your bed useable. Keeping them in place can be tricky, I either find a simple solution(varries by truck) or just drive nice wich is easier said than done lol

[coloradosean2009]

Originally Posted by kwmech

Big innertube in the back . I have an adaptor that allows you to put water into the tube. (tractor supply). Or I just drive my subaru

I like the idea. I wonder how it does in the below zero temps though.

[rwolf9653]

I did the snow in the bed thing when I was 16. The snow ended up packed tight and like a ball of ice. Three weeks later I ended up losing my axle seals from the extra wieght that refused to melt. From now on I will find another kind of ballast first LONG before I use snow again.

[69GMCLonghorn]

I know they're a bit of money, but I've never found anything better than a camper shell! Weight is evenly distributed, and doesn't move (if you're lucky!). Then you can add bricks, etc as needed.

And about the California snow thing: It definitely snows around here, just not right in the LA basin. The fun thing when I was in high school was to ditch class and drive my '69 3/4 ton up Angeles Crest Hwy and load it with snow. We could be back in town before it melted and drive around wingin' snow balls at unsuspecting idiots...

[Hottrucks]

Originally Posted by 69GMCLonghorn

\\
And about the California snow thing: It definitely snows around here, just not right in the LA basin. The fun thing when I was in high school was to ditch class and drive my '69 3/4 ton up Angeles Crest Hwy and load it with snow. We could be back in town before it melted and drive around wingin' snow balls at unsuspecting idiots...

thats funny I made a snow man in New Hampshire loaded it in the back of my other truck and covered it with a sleeping bag to insuate it and keep the wind off it drove non stop to Tampa Fla ( 21 hours )and set it on the lawn for Xams day...every kid inthe neighborhood wanna to touch it they had never seen a real snow man

[gmc1971harwich]

colorado sean what size were the bins you used?

[Critter]

CHECK THIS OUT! Would have been the coolest thing Ford ever did...if he had gone through with it.

YouTube- Fordson Snow Machine - 1929 Concept

[67ss&99ss]

Originally Posted by Critter

CHECK THIS OUT! Would have been the coolest thing Ford ever did...if he had gone through with it.

YouTube- Fordson Snow Machine - 1929 Concept

That is awesome. There is a Chevrolet car at about the 7 minute point. Did you watch all of the video? I see one major problem with that. If you fall off, your hamburger meat. It is a great idea, but it definitely needs some guarding on the tops of those spinning drums to prevent serious injury.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by Critter

CHECK THIS OUT! Would have been the coolest thing Ford ever did...if he had gone through with it.

YouTube- Fordson Snow Machine - 1929 Concept

Just when I think I have seen it all... That's too cool!

And the guy has on a white shirt and tie, and a hat, the whole time. Things were different then...