I have 4 60# sand tubes right behind the rear wheels for winter traction. When going on long distance trips, should I remove them? Will it actually make that much of a difference? I just don't want to need them and not have them. That 240 extra lbs on the rear axle helps a lot.

Also, I know some say to put the weight on the wheel wells. I have them behind for two reasons; 1. I want as much of that weight focused only on the rear and 2. When placing the tubes right behind the wheel wells, in a straight line from the corner of the bed to the wheel well, they don't slide around at all. Having them on top of the wheel well would just be too annoying and I'd have to build something to keep them in place.

 

240# shouldn't have much effect. It would be like adding a passenger.

 

I wouldn't worry about that small weight.

 

Almost always add a few sand or gravel bags in the winter months. It won't cost you more than a few bucks in gas during the winter months - well worth it. Technically I guess the weight should be as close to the rear axle for weight distribution and control/handling, but again #240 won't make that much difference.

 

I just put about 200# of steel in the back of mine tonight, 6 skeletons from parts that were cut out of a sheet of 1/2" steel on the laser at work. Picture a tic-tac-toe board made of 1/2" steel about 3' across, with Os cut out of the spots, and you'll get the picture.

I put 3 of them against the right wheel well, and up against the front of the box. The other three are against the wheel well on the left, and up against the back of the others. I zip tied them all together, and the stacks to each other. Unless something relatively violent happens, they shouldn't move. The weight may be "uneven", but it's spread evenly left to right, and mostly over the rear axle.

I should have weighed one of them, but I can lift one easily with one hand, so I figure about 30# each.

Snow is supposed to fly tonight, we'll see how it looks in the morning.

I've started using Fuelly.com to check my mileage, so we'll see if it makes much difference.

 

I've been logging mileage on my truck since it was new, about 105K miles ago. And I put 4 bags of tube sand in mine also. I have not seen any effects in mileage due to the extra 240 pounds. Seeing you're in NY, you're mileage has dropped but it's due to temperature, other weather conditions and of course the lower BTU output of winter fuels.

If you look at the chart I posted here, those dips downward are winters. Interestingly, the mileage variations have increased since I purchased my Gryphon. I'm sure the first few tanks saw a bit more fuel waste as I tried things out, but that's long since past.



It really doesn't matter where you put the weight. Put it where it's easy to remove, when/if you need to use the bed over the winter. Note, the bags will freeze and may become stuck to the surface of the bed. But when they are wet, they're good for a few more "free" pounds...

 

I have 500Ibs of bagged gravel in the bed, i don't see a drop in mileage.

 

Thanks for that info!