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BPet
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2007
12:49:33
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 Subject: Winter Traction
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How much weight do you all think would be good to add to the bed for traction in the winter. I was thinking about 300lb of sand would be a good amount...
04 Dakota CC SLT
4.7 v8, 2wd
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jake
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2007
15:18:05
| RE: Winter Traction
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anything is better than nothing. the rear end of the daks are pretty light. but 300 should do the trick. my grandpa actually went to the scrap yard anf for $50 he got a 500lb wieght that only stood 3" tall and was abotu 18' by 20".
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Kowalski
GenIII
9/19/2007
16:06:25
| RE: Winter Traction
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All depends on your set up. With the right size and tread tires, I don't use any.
Just remember, whatever is back there will be trying to move forward suddenly in a wreck. Running decent 235 or 9.50 width tires will bite pretty well.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Epyon
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2007
19:41:51
| RE: Winter Traction
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If u go with too wide of a tire with little tread the tires will also act like a sled and just stay on top of the snow instead of bitting into it. The joy of winter
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OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2007
19:44:45
| RE: Winter Traction
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I use none on my 99 4x4 CC... And I rarely use 4 wheel drive if ever in town or highways. I have no traction problems. But, when it was new, that first winter it was terrible. Once I got the factory tires replaced, problems were over. I live in S/W Montana so we deal with a lot of snow and ice. My opinion. It's all in the tires, extra weight not needed.Buy tires with a lot of sifes in them or have them sifed when you buy them. I do not like studs
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Pugsy
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2007
22:56:17
| RE: Winter Traction
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Agreed with Kowalski. I have a 2wd and don't put anything in and haven't got stuck up here in a Candian winter. I have 235's width pure snow tires on all 4 corners and they work great. More weight in the back means more gas being sucked in too!!
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2007
23:24:05
| RE: Winter Traction
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He's right. Tires have more impact on vehicle performance than almost anything else on the truck.
First make sure you have good tires with good tread. Doesn't have to be radical. Michelin LTX M/S is the best snow tire I've ever used.
The next thing is balance. That's always been the issue with any pick up. Too light in the rear, and it wants to lock up and slide around to the front. The Dakotas come stock with anti-locks in the rear, 4 wheel is optional. That helps a bit.
My QC has about perfect balance. I never worry about adding any weight. A club cab is a little shorter and a bit lighter.
I would start out with 2 sand tubes in the very front of the bed and see how that goes for you. A fiberglass cap adds some weight there, ttoo.
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Old Dak
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2007
06:20:52
| RE: Winter Traction
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I run 80 to 100 lbs of sand in tubes in a box anchored between the wheel wells. Mine is a rc 4.7 manual with 3.92 so the weight keeps it from breaking free too often. It helps to balance it out. Keep the weight over the rear axle or forget the weight.
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Shoe
GenIII
9/20/2007
11:38:09
| RE: Winter Traction
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I am not even going to attempt to take mine out if it gets icy.
Finally... a V8. '01 Dodge Dakota RC, 4.7, 5-speed, 3.92 LSD. = R/T Killer.
well at least a stock one
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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9/20/2007
15:15:40
| RE: Winter Traction
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Adding weight behind the rear axle will certainly help the rear maintain traction. But it also lightens the front end a bit, decreasing braking and turning performance.
That's the theory, anyway. A pick up is pretty front heavy anyway, so maybe placement behind the wheels would create better balance. Like I said, it's all about balance. He gets good balance with a RC by placing the weight behind the wheels. I have just about perfect balance with a QC and no additional weight.
With a CC, I would try it in both places and see which is better for you.
Old Dak makes another good point. Any additional weight should be secured. That's another reason to put it in the front of the bed. The bed wall will keep it in place during emergency braking. And there's a couple of tie down points on the floor there.
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KCWW
Dodge Dakota
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10/03/2007
12:46:03
| RE: Winter Traction
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I put 6 concrete blocks between the wheel wells each winter in my CC V6. In Cincinnati, we don't get horrible winter snows but this seems to work for me. I also drive sensibly in bad weather...anticipate stops and turns. Rhino liner helps keep the blocks from sliding really well.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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10/03/2007
21:42:56
| RE: Winter Traction
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If you hit something, those blocks are going to get launched through the back window.
Weave a cargo strap throgh the blocks and hook it to the cargo hooks near the tailgate.
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