sand bags

[bucketmouth64]

I have a 4 wheel drive f-150 and I was wondering if I would need sand bags. I used to have a 2 wheel drive truck and I put a couple bags in, but this is my first 4 wheel drive so I didn't know if that makes a difference. If you do put sand bags in how many would you recommend?

[Jeremy airjer W]

IMO, you don't need them. If your having problems starting out from a stop, flip it into four wheel drive. Once your moving you can flip it back into two wheel drive. If your driving in conditions where your having problems controlling the vehicle (rear wheels spinning or kicking out on you) than you can slow down or pop it into four wheel drive.

A couple hundred pounds of sand bags might make a little difference. Even better throw a couple hundred pounds of salt bags in the back. If you get stuck You have some excellent ice melt and traction material. I stumbled on the salt bags while plowing. I always have four or five bags in the back. Not necessarily for weight but when your out at 3:00 in the morning and stuck it sure comes in handy!

[DrJuice1980]

It will also come in handy when you trade that truck in and the box is all rusted out...

Sand will do just fine in gaining traction whether it be from weight or having to spread a little. If you need salt keep it in a bag in the cab.

[Jeremy airjer W]

It will also come in handy when you trade that truck in and the box is all rusted out...

#50 bags of water softener salt in the plastic bags? Its no different than driving on the heavily salted Minnesota roads.

[Fowlmouth]

I have a 4wd ranger and have no need for sand bags, you should be fine. I do what Jeremy mentioned, every now and then when I come to a stop and I need a little help ill flip the 4wd on to get going then turn it off. Also if you haven't used your 4wd since last winter I'd make sure she works before we get some serious winter weather.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

Many moon's ago I had a rear wheel drive pickup and I used to put about 400 pounds of sand in bags in the back. I don't think it helped much but I always had sand when I got stuck. I am on my 3rd 4 wheel drive truck and haven't bothered with the sand, or extra weight but I do carry a shovel when I am ice fishing, just in case. I don't care what type of truck it is, you will like the 4wd when the going gets tough.

[Surface Tension]

In a 2 wheel drive truck the weight will help. Put it in the very back toward the bumper.

If you have a light touch and don't spin the tires you will notice how well the weight helps. I could go on and on there but that type driving is getting to be a lost art. If your winter driving skills are weak and you heavy on the gas the weight won't do anything.

Bring a shovel and use the sand to get out. A fine sand won't do much what your looking for is gritt. Keep it in a container that won't get wet because it won't do you much good in a frozen clump.

[bucketmouth64]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll try a bucket of cat litter instead of sand in case I need it, been told that works pretty good and find ice melt in a container. Will leaving in 4wd on a snow packed highway be ok or should I put it in 2wd? Last night I left it in 4wd and didn't have any issues of sliding.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Depends, if your doing 30-40 mph on the freeway than the conditions probably warrant the four wheel drive. If you doing more than 55 mph than your either going to fast or the conditions do not warrant the use of the four wheel drive.

I find that I have much more control of the vehicle on the freeway when it's not in four wheel drive. I think my manufacturer suggests not being in four wheel drive at speeds greater than 50mph (I would have to look to be certain).

[Jeremy airjer W]

To elaborate on the control issue. The vehicles (toyota tundra) stability control is disabled when in four wheel drive. I am more confident in the vehicles ability to react to the conditions. It can not do this when in four wheel drive. So let's say I'm heading down a snow I covered freeway and have the cruise set at 60. I have the vehicle in two wheel drive and it does very well. If I need to pass a slower vehicle and the conditions permit I will switch to four wheel drive to muscle through the untraveled snow covered lane and pass the vehicle. Once I am back in the the other lane I will switch it back to two wheel drive.

[Macgyver55]

So let's say I'm heading down a snow I covered freeway and have the cruise set at 60.

I know its just a hypothetical, but I hope you don't really use the cruise on snow covered roads!

[TruthWalleyes]

What speeds do you engage your 4wd, or should i say what is the top speed? I'm driving a 2001 f150XLT 4x4

[Jeremy airjer W]

What speeds do you engage your 4wd, or should i say what is the top speed? I'm driving a 2001 f150XLT 4x4

In my case I can only shift in between drives under 50mph. I found this in the owners manual and I'm pretty sure it's on the visor sticker as well.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I know its just a hypothetical, but I hope you don't really use the cruise on snow covered roads!

I do!

Here's why, the stability control reacts the same whether I'm using the cruise or not. I would not suggest doing this with an older vehicle or in a vehicle that you have limited experience with. I love to drive in snowstorms, it's just one of those things. I have become very familiar with the limitations of the vehicle I drive. I understand what it can and can not do.

I am more worried about an unexpected problem with the stability control where a sensor drops out and the system starts braking the other three wheels. In this case there is nothing you can do I but hold on and hope you can react in time to the unexpected.

[Macgyver55]

Just sayin.!

Even though the enhanced vehicle stability control system will shut off the cruise if activated, Toyota themselves recommend not using the cruise during slippery conditions.

[Jeremy airjer W]

And it says this about cup holders!

And slow down when driving in a cross wind, do not put on different sized tires, and not to install a lift kit.

[Dozer]

You must listen to 93x Bucketmouth64?! Id say about 25lbs should do it!

[MJBaldwin]

i drive an 02' F150 and have always put 4 sand tubes in the bed of it in winter months. When I had new tires I really didnt need them but now my tires are pretty worn and too cheap for new ones right now. That being said it does help and I am old school and dont like to flip in and out of 4 wheel drive while I am moving I always put it into Netural then back into drive. Just the way I was brought up I guess probably wouldnt hurt to flip it into 4 wheel in low speeds just get nervious.

One thing I would stick away from is the Auto 4x4 I have talked to many guys and shops and say this is very hard on your vehicle.

Just my opinion though

[Ufatz]

Okay. Now lets hear if from people who have knowledge of WHY it would be hard on your truck to use the 4X4 Auto setting on your vehicle. Worries about "hunting" back and forth between connectons? Wears out some little micro-deeblefabber in the transmissions? On-line or beer joint rumorbabble?

Lets hear it. I don't want to ruin my new Tahoe or the F150 either. How about my brothers 1500 Silverado? Any hope for other brothers Ford or his Trailblazer or are they all doomed because they are using the 4X4 Auto?

Please.....let us know before its too late!!!

[BoxMN]

I have 05 Trailblazer with the Auto4W, and I don't like using it. When it kicks in it "thumps" into 4wd. I know my wife uses it, and that is fine, but I keep trying to tell her, if there is snow on the roads, just leave in 4wd, and if clear then 2wd or I guess Auto won't hurt, as it won't kick in.

Not sure what is best, but I just hate feeling that "thump" when Auto kicks in. Can't be "good", I would not imagine. Usually just going from stop to start when that happens.

[MJBaldwin]

BoxMN,

That is what my thoughts are exactly. I am no expert by any means but I have heard its hard on all gears... The problem is when your on the gas and spinning your tires thats when it kicks in so your in middle of an acceleration and then BOOM your 4x4 kicks in and you will feel that thud since your grinding gears in order for that 4x4 to kick in.

There again im no expert that is just what I have hear from places along with people. Not saying you shouldnt use it since the manufacture makes it but I just dont use it nor do I let my wife I tell her exactly what BOXMN says if you need 4x4 keep it in that until you dont need it anymore then switch back to 2wd...

[Dozer]

I leave my 00 1500 silverado in auto 4wd as soon as it remotly slippery, only clunking or banging I get is when I turn on dry pavement and one tire has to slide around the corner. I also engage it at any time I see fit, might be stopped might be 75mph on the interstate with no porblems. 222,000 miles now with no drivetrain problems. Right wrong or otherwise it has worked for me.

[Ufatz]

If you are spinning your tires and suddenly hit dry pavement you are going to get a "clunk" regardless what gear selection you have chosen. Broke an axle on a great old Dodge Power Wagon just that way a couple decades back.

when we drive with 4X4 engaged we are going to burn more gas and put more wear on tires. I would guess the object of the new system of auto 4X4 is an effort to gain miles-per-gallon for one thing while perhaps providing a margin of safety to those unaccustomed to potentially slippery driving conditions.

Until I am told by somebody who actually KNOWS what they are talking about NOT to use it-with a solid and sensible explanation of WHY, I will use in, advise my wife to use it and closely watch results.

If things are that risky looking to begin with I just slip vehicle into 4X4 high range and slow down a bit.

[BoxMN]

Until I am told by somebody who actually KNOWS what they are talking about

Subtle as a sledge hammer

And yes, I think we understand about spinning tires hitting dry pavement. That is not what we are talking about, but I never professed to be an expert, haha! Have a good day

[Macgyver55]

If you are spinning your tires and suddenly hit dry pavement you are going to get a "clunk" regardless what gear selection you have chosen.

This isn't the clunk they are describing. What they are feeling/hearing is the engagement of the AWD clutch in the transfer case when the output shaft sensors detect wheel spin. I won't go so far as to say it "hurts" anything to use it because it is working as designed, but it does cause a momentary shock load on the clutch, u-joints and differential and also leave the front differential actuator energized so the front differential is live and turning all the time. Believe what you wish but my experience is that I have done far more front differential rebuilds on vehicles that employ auto 4wd than I have on standard 4wd systems.

Simple common sense says if something gets used more, it will wear more.