400 lbs is not overkill. It's better to be able to have traction than put it in the ditch. As for the inertia, that's not really a problem with a 5700 lb truck (difference of about 6% total weight). 3X40lb = a really small wife as a passenger. The track width of your tire is the problem here, period. Anything that is a foot wide has much less weight per sq. inch, so it's like have snowshoes on your truck. They are great for off-roading, but as others have said, packed snow is much different. Lower pressures will also help, but you are always going to have this problem with the large width.

 

Beat me to it.

 

I edited my post... I meant to say closer to the cab, not closer to the tailgate...

But, thinking about it now.. close to the tailgate would put more angular weight on the rear axel though...

Whatever.. Just be safe.

 

ok, so for conversation's sake, why are 'mt' tires so wide, if physically a skinnier tire is better ? is it just marketing looks?

so- kspencer, what would you say a good width & safe load rating is- my stock rugged trail's were just over 10" track width, but i have a feeling those treads would clog instantly, and become slicks... i can go drop my psi down in a bit- running at 50lbs now...will set it down to 40

 

I saw a new product to add weight to your truck. You fill it up w/water and let it freeze. It adds up to 400 pounds I thinkit was? I usually use salt bags. That way if they break up, its easy to clean up.

 

yea thats the thing kd4crs mentioned... shurtrax

 

I wouldnt say 400 is too much.. Its what this company says is "Safe" to use.

This is the ShurTrax system.

 

lol if it wouldnt be safe to hold 400 lbs in our beds, we'd all be driving cars.

yea, thanks for posting that khendrix...pretty sophisticated tie downs there...im not sure id be willing to use bungees just latched to the exposed paint eeek!

 

Yeah, I dont think I'd use bungee straps either. lol Bad pic.

 

The more weight the merrier for me . You can never have too much weight

I like the idea of that bag, pretty good invention.

BalogUK,
I would say the wider the mud tire the better, it keeps you more on top of the terrain. With the snow the narrower the tread the better, it makes its way through the snow and ice better.

Later
M V

 

I would buy a studded snow tire like the wintercat sst or Cooper discoverer M+ S, LT 275/70R17 is as big as they make it..I have found with LS you have to be carefull with the throttle on turns and such if you get that second tire start spinning is when you can get in trouble..

 

yea griz- this was the topic of an earlier thread- finding snow tires for the 18" rims- not an easy task... my mom just had some mastercraft a/ts put on her 05 250sd with 18's mastercraft is a sister of cooper- anyone know about their reliability? ugh, i dont want to dish out another wad for tires. rubber's expensive!

 

I live in MN and we've had quite a bit of snow lately. In 4WD it's under complete control on the roads. When I get on the highway if it's not a blizzard or the roads are semi-clear then I put it in 2WD. With 2WD I'm more carefull on turning and hitting the gas. I spin the tires from a stop in 2WD sometimes. I'm just very careful and ease into the gas. So far no problems really.

 

Hell I weigh in around 260....just toss me in the bed for traction.

 

Haha, or he could get a fat girlfriend to tighten up that loose truck!