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Gregg
Dodge Dakota
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11/30/2005
22:58:03
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 Subject: Sandbag survey
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Okay, winter driving blues in the Northwest.
With a canopy shell, four "wiener" sand bags at around 75 lbs. ea. was recommended for my '99 cc 4X4. I've laid them over the axel.
Is this average weighting for these little trucks?
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SuperKota
Dodge Dakota
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11/30/2005
23:33:23
| RE: Sandbag survey
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I also live in the NorthWest.. But i never had to pick any sand in the back. My truck goes very well in the snow. Plus its weight is 5,100 pounds. REG. CAB.... I even had to pull cars out of ditches since they where going to fast and lost control.
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cuzindoug
GenIII
 
11/30/2005
23:35:35
| RE: Sandbag survey
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When I lived in NW Pa, I used between 150 to 200 lbs in 50 lb sand bags over the rear axle. You really shouldn't need more than 150 since you have a shell.
If it ain't broke, fix it til it is.
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Joe M.
Dodge Dakota
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12/01/2005
00:29:42
|  RE: Sandbag survey
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I'm in the Mtns. of central pa.
my Dak. isnt 4w drive but if it aint to deep
i'll drive it before the ramcharger
and i have to throw a 50 lb bag
behind each wheel well
hell guys in heavy down pours in summer
i've had it fish tail on the highway
(not a good feeling)
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Paul
Dodge Dakota
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12/01/2005
00:41:36
| RE: Sandbag survey
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Don't you have 4x4 so y do you need sandbags?? I have a Ram 4x4 and no sandbags are needed here in the northwoods of Wisconsin.
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Dakota_Gurrl
Dodge Dakota
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12/01/2005
08:53:27
|  RE: Sandbag survey
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I live in Canada, and our winters suck a$$! About 2 years ago I used 150-175lbs of kitty litter over the tires, and it worked well. The only downfall (alittle off topic...sorry!) was when I was driving on the highway, and I hit black ice, the extra weight really helped to push the slide. The first slide was almost corrected, when a split second later, I hit another patch of ice, did a 360 across 3 lanes (didn't hit anyone, surprisingly!) and hit the concrete barrier head on going 90kms/hr, spun/slid another 90 degrees, and ended up stopped in the middle lane facing the oncoming traffic. The entire nose of my truck was pushed in and to the left, the front axle was running parallel to the truck, and the tire and license plate were god knows where. The D/S door wouldn't open, and the P/S opened about 1', but from the extended cab and back was fine (thank god, my 3yr old was in there). Luckily no one was hurt, ate lotsa airbag powder, but not a scratch on any of us. Obviously she was a write off, and my ins. rates were through the roof, but ever since that day, my heart races everytime the truck slides, even if I'm doing 40kms/hr. Last year I didn't use sand bags, so I drove sideways alot, and got stuck every 5' or so, but this year I'm gonna load 'er up and stay off the highways...lol! Anyone else have any bad winter stories/accidents?
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cuzindoug
GenIII
12/01/2005
09:49:22
| RE: Sandbag survey
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I was driving my first truck(77 F-150 Custom)about 5 days after I got my license in an ice storm. I was going 60 MPH on I-79 South bound(I was invinsible at that age) and hit a patch of ice. Slide sideways, hit a dry patch of road under an overpass, and shot straight across all 3 lanes. I went over a 8 inch concrete median, over 15 ft of grass median, and into the highway going the opposite direction(North bound). What I didn't realize at the time was that my rear axle, drive shaft, and brake lines were still on the South bound side of the road hung up on the concrete median!!!
If it ain't broke, fix it til it is.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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12/01/2005
11:19:01
| RE: Sandbag survey
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I used to use a couple of 80 lb bags of water softner salt over the rear axle in my old 2wd ranger.
I did not have a bed cover for a few years and i would keep the snow in the bed to help weigh it down. A little freeze/thaw and the salt was iced between the wheels and would not slide anywhere.
I have not used anything in my 4x4 dakota.
When I lived in Indiana I saw more 4x4s off the road than 2wds, idiots thought 4x4's were invinicble. 4x4s slide in more of a controlled manner vs 2wd's, but they still slide.
- Dan M
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Eadd
Dodge Dakota
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12/02/2005
17:54:23
| RE: Sandbag survey
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Last winter i was drivin a 1987 chevy conversion van around a very slight curve on a main road and the snow was about an inch thick on it. For no reason at all the ass end flew out from behind me. I did a 360 and tried to correct it witch caused me to go up on the two pass. side tires at which point i braced my self and let go of the wheel. Some how unexplainable the van came back down on the tires and i came to a stop six inches from the guard rail. The next day i loaded it up with 5 80lbs bags of softner salt and never had a problem in the snow again.
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ck98daksport
Dodge Dakota
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12/03/2005
01:08:17
| RE: Sandbag survey
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98 sport 2wd runing 4 bags of sand @ 70# a piece. 5 spd trans and no problems in wisconsin winters yet, if the tires spin I just let off the gas and it gets traction in a split second.
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GB2000
GenIII
12/03/2005
02:38:18
| RE: Sandbag survey
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I either park the Dak and ride a 03 Yamaha Big Bear 400 4x4...or if I'm going too far or the roads aren't bad enough to get it out without getting in trouble I just pull it up into the back of the Dak. Nice and evenly distributed weight:)
Josh Blackshire - Founder, OhioDakotas.NET
Red 98 Dakota Sport - Check it out!
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01 Dak SLT
Dodge Dakota
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12/05/2005
15:19:18
| RE: Sandbag survey
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Six 50lb bags of sand on the rear axle in a framed box I made. Had no problem, but the last two winters in KY have not been bad. The only reason I use 300 pounds is the turns on hills. Backroads have deep ditches if you fish tail off the road. Not very fun to try and get out of. So far, no problems.
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Schlorge
Dodge Dakota
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12/05/2005
21:10:30
| RE: Sandbag survey
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I live in Canada (ON) and for the past five winters have always put about 250lbs. of sand bags in the back of the truck (2000 2WD Club). After the first year I began to use snow tires and noticed a difference.
I have found that the added weight allows for better traction and stability on snowy/slushy surfaces. As for ice or black ice, the only thing that will help you is a set of ice skates instead of wheels.
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Jake
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2006
16:10:36
| RE: Sandbag survey
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I'm from upstate NY. Any extra weight in the back ALWAYS helps. Trust me...we get lake effect snow every winter. Weight and good tires goes a long way. I've never owned a 4x4 but I've always had good tires and sand bags. Never been stuck.
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Snuzn2
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2006
21:00:15
| RE: Sandbag survey
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I've got a 2000 RC 5-spd 2wd (no limited slip); no shell, just a tonneau - I use 60lb bags, 3 for bad rain, 5 if its slushy/snowy/etc. Big difference over an empty bed.
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Brent
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2006
01:00:50
| RE: Sandbag survey
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YES YES YES!!! Sandbags are a must. I live in the true NW the Pacific NW and I use sandbags. Seattle, where it often rains, has wet roads and my 4x2 SXT does not like smooth wet concrete. So i loaded up about 200 pounds of bag and it makes all the difference. I did a 270 in an intersection once and that was the last time i drove in the winter without bags.
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GEARS
Dodge Dakota
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2/04/2006
17:15:26
| RE: Sandbag survey
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I just put a shovel in the back, if it snows i fill the bed level w/ the top. Good tires are a must too. I thought about snow tires but there hard to get here in Delaware, cause we have good winters and bad winters, it's a hit or miss kinda thing.
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