How to get traction in the winter with a 2WD truck?

Question

I drive a 2wd Isuzu pickup and I am sliding around terribly in the snow and ice. Especially when taking off from a stop, and hills are out of the question. I have all season tires but they still arent doing the job.

What are some easy ways to get better traction (not snow tires). I know that sandbags will help, but how much weight is needed, and will it really make that much differance?

Answer 1

from what has happened to me i put arount 300-400 lbs  in the back of the truck because the rear is so light that is why you lose traction. yes they will really make a big difference because the extra weight on the rear will help your tires stick to the ground better thus giving you better traction.

Answer 2

bags of ice melt - sand - etc

there not just for traction there also for getting unstuck

Answer 3

Yes, it will make a difference.  

Trucks are built to be lightweight when empty, because that means they can carry more.  They are not designed to be driven around empty.  In fact, they're more likely to spin or flip when they're unladen versus a well-balanced, low-slung load.  

I used to put two sandbags, maybe 100 pounds, in my Nova, I think 2 or 3 times that in a truck should be fine.  

Also, you can use just about anything for weight, but sand or cat litter are best.  Because if you get stuck, you can take some of that sand and use it to get traction and free yourself.   If you do much driving in cold, icy, remote areas, you might also stick a bit of a survival kit in back (a little food, heater pads, a shovel, a blanket, a heavy coat, gloves and hats, flares, stuff like that), too.  Might as well not have it be dead weight you're hauling around.  

As for other ways besides weight to get traction:  GET SNOW TIRES.  If you're facing more than a week or so of snow, GET SNOW TIRES.  GET SNOW TIRES.  Better yet GET STUDDED SNOW TIRES (if they're legal in your area).

There is no substitute for good winter tires.  All-seasons...aren't.  GET SNOW TIRES.  And not just on the rear wheels.  You need them on your drive wheels and your steering wheels.  You can get away with two in a FWD car (still not a good idea) but you need all four in RWD, like your truck.  

Get the cheapest junkyard rims you can get, and put some snow tires on them.  Those are your winter wheels, and you can probably get 2 or 3 winters out of a set.

(get snow tires.)

Answer 4

try a set of tire chains. they are designed for icy roads.

Answer 5

The cheap way is to just go down to Lowe's and buy 6 bags of 40 pounds of dirt and put them in the bed of the truck and it will work, total cost around $7.00 with tax.

Answer 6

Snow tires or lugs on the back wheels, with a few hundred pounds of sand in bags over the rear wheels. If you get stuck on ice you can use the sand to get traction. Dri rite is second best to sand

Answer 7

yes a few hundred pounds right over the rear tires will do the trick

Answer 8

Weight in the back makes  huge difference.  I would say 300 or 400 pounds.