|
Author
|
Subject: Dakota + Snow!
|
|
Alex |
Posted At 21:48:06 12/17/2000
Hi all,
I have a Dakota Sport 4x2 Regular Cab, and I'm having problems with snow and ice. As I usually don't carry
load on the bed, the rear end becomes too light and I'm having problems to drive on roads with snow or ice. I've
heard that I should put some sand bags on the bed, in order to improrve the traction on the rear axle. Is ther any
accessory that secures these sand bags over the rear axle? How much weight should I load on the bed?
Thanks,
Alex.
|
| DAK#2 |
Re: Dakota + Snow! (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 07:53:46 12/18/2000
I built a frame out of 2x4's with the front and back pieces long
enough so that the wheelwell's keep it from sliding
and I use 4 70lb sand bags sitting in it.
Y2k DAK cc 3.9l 5spd
|
| Bob* |
Re: Dakota + Snow! (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 08:23:22 12/18/2000
Alex I have the same problem with my tires on my DAKOTA 4.7L auto. 4X2 club cab...they are GOODYEAR EGALE LS 255-65-15s they suck big time for the snow that we have here in OH.The tires get a good revue for the snow...but I think they are BAD even with my limited-slip rear end.I like DAK#2 idea.Alex it is a trade off...the tire I have will be perfect in the summer.I e-mailed GOODYEAR and ask what was the deal with that tire,they said get WRANGLERS.
Bob*
|
| Mdewjunkie |
Re: Dakota + Snow! (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 11:21:44 12/18/2000
I have the 4.7 4x4 and use 2 70lb sand bags and that seems to be enough. I tied them down using cranking tie down straps and just hooked them onto the hook mounts in the back of the bed and they don't move at all. I like the using the tie downs because if I stop short or if I was to get into an accident the sand bags are not going to go anywhere. Also for the stopping and accident reasons I prefer the sand bags that way there more likely to just break open instead of it having a chance of coming through the back window like something solid would.
|
| Steven |
Re: Dakota + Snow! (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 17:41:20 12/18/2000
I also have the Goodyear Eagle LS 255/65/R15 tires (with limited slip on the rear axle) Short fat tires like those are no fun in snow -- in fact, I don't even get very good traction on wet roads with them. I switched to Bridgestone Winter Duelers (235/75/15) for about $80 per tire and keep 280lbs of sand in the bed held in place with a 2X4 frame. They work GREAT -- I have better traction on snow than my other tires give me on wet roads. Not as good on dry roads though, and I'll have to be prompt about switching back to my summer tires when it warms up. THe Winter Duelers will wear out fast on dry warm roads.
|
| BigDaddy |
Re: Dakota + Snow! (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 09:28:06 12/19/2000
I'm waiting till after i get out of college to get my dakota. But on this topic wouldn't it be better to put the wait all the way back at the tail gate? Therefore having more leverage over the rear axel and more weight pushing down on it? I've never owned a truck before but this way seems like it would be more effective.
|
| Bob* |
Re: Dakota + Snow! (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 13:21:42 12/19/2000
BigDaddy I beleave it is all in the TIRES...if you get allot of snow,good snow tires is the answer.I think added weight is ok only if you don't have the money for GOOD snow tires.I just sold a set of (
real snow tires) to a friend for his RANGER ...that I had on my RANGER,they where to small for my new DAKOTA.He put them on hiS 4X2 and loves them...he used to put sand bags in the bed,not any more.PS I don't mean to say that adding weight is a bad thing...just something I don't want to do to my TRUCK.
Bob* GOODLUCK
|
| Mdewjunkie |
Re: Dakota + Snow! (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 16:12:04 12/19/2000
Bob* don't know how you do it but I'll take your word for it. But for someone like me weight is the way to go because I don't have the extra cash to buy new tires and the amount of snow that falls were I am doesn't really warrent spending the extra money for a change over. Any other ideas besides tires or weight I would love to hear them. And to BigDaddy This is my first year with my dak but my truck before I thought the same as you and had my weight in the corneres of the bed and gate and had no problems with it there. Found it hard to put and weight right behind the tires without having to build something to hold it.
|
| Bob* |
Re: Dakota + Snow! (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 18:07:05 12/19/2000
Mdewjunkie I have been doing ok.I had to lower my tires to 30 psi and I keep the tank full.The roads around here are keep pretty clean.
Bob*
|
| jeremy |
Re: Dakota + Snow! (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 14:11:49 12/20/2000
Hi
I have 92 sport with the same problem. I use 4 70lbs sandbags and some cut up 2x4's to hold them in place. 2 across going side to side over the wheel wells and 2 going the length of the bed. Plus with all the snow in the bed it ads up and helps with the traction a little bit.
|
| jeremy |
Re: Dakota + Snow! (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 14:11:58 12/20/2000
Hi
I have 92 sport with the same problem. I use 4 70lbs sandbags and some cut up 2x4's to hold them in place. 2 across going side to side over the wheel wells and 2 going the length of the bed. Plus with all the snow in the bed it ads up and helps with the traction a little bit.
|
| Bo |
Re: Dakota + Snow! (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 14:15:51 12/20/2000
I own a 99 CC R/T and just recently changed the factory
rims (17x9) to snow rims (15x7) with 235x70R15 snows all
around. On top of that, I added 4 sand bags @ 60lbs.
each.
These sand bags are actually tubes, about 4 feet long in
a woven mesh plastic material. When not frozen, you can
lay them right on top of the wheel wells. They're made
by Quickrete out of Atlanta, Georgia. Yes, the same
guys that make cement products.
Up here in Canada, we've had about 2 feet of snow in the
past couple of weeks and the R/T and I just keep
truckin'(sorry) along.
|
| Brad |
Re: Dakota + Snow! (Currently 2 replies)
Posted At 09:17:46 12/27/2000
Bo,
Just curious, but are you from London, Ontario by chance?
|
| DAK#2 |
Re: Dakota + Snow! (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 13:09:37 12/27/2000
Actually your'e best off putting the weight over the rear axel.
If you put the weight behind the axel,yes you would
add weight to the rear, But the axel would then act
as a fulcrum point and take weight off the front end.
I'm sure you wouldn't want to do that
|