Winter Driving

[REV2XHEART]

A few years ago I got run off the road by a guy driving down the middle of a 2 lane road. Ever since there its like my head is messed up when it comes to winter driving. The kicker is I only really have a problem when I am driving my truck (same one as the accident). The work truck I am fine. Granted mine is a bit older but only 60K miles and its nice not having a truck payment.

Yes I have good snow tires but is there anything else I can do to improve handling. Its only a half ton. I have a single sled deck that fits inside the bed that I put my sled on. Weight wise I am ok it just doesn't seem to turn very well. Maybe too much weight in the back?

 

[hbar218]

WTF!!!! You cant drive a half ton with a single sled deck and a sled. You my friend need a dually.
Seriously though, what do you mean by turn very well? Airbags or an extra leaf spring will make your truck handle the weight better.

 

[cancritter]

weight is lifting front end affecting steerin...trailer or friend with trailer may be in order

 

[doorfx]

Omg you need a f650 a 1/2 ton can't handle a sled deck with one sled roflmao.

 

[X-Treme]

WTF!!!! You cant drive a half ton with a single sled deck and a sled. You my friend need a dually.
Seriously though, what do you mean by turn very well? Airbags or an extra leaf spring will make your truck handle the weight better.

Omg you need a f650 a 1/2 ton can't handle a sled deck with one sled roflmao.

Ugh. You guys are ridiculous! If you read that thread about this, people are concerned about putting a deck on a half ton with TWO sleds, plus all the TWO guys gear, etc. etc. etc.

But, here is some proof that even with ONE sled on a SINGLE sled deck is already affecting the handling of a 1/2 ton truck.

 

[sick1]

His tires probably have crappy lateral traction, I've had good looking tires that were crap in snow and ice eg: procomp extreme at = brutal wont turn at all in snow..

 

[ferniesnow]

Ugh. You guys are ridiculous! If you read that thread about this, people are concerned about putting a deck on a half ton with TWO sleds, plus all the TWO guys gear, etc. etc. etc.

But, here is some proof that even with ONE sled on a SINGLE sled deck is already affecting the handling of a 1/2 ton truck.

Yes, and the single sled deck is on the bed or in the box! It isn't above the box. I feel for the dude but I don't know enough about half tons to help him out.

An honest question that the guy wants some help with and due to some not too serious dudes, this just might go sideways.

Let's try to help the guy out and show the good side of S&M......:d

 

[ducati]

Would say the first thing to do is get a good set of winter tires and go with something studded. Can't go wrong with a dedicated set of winters.

One sled in a half ton really should be no big deal however with the length of these new sleds i can't help but think that there is just more weight hanging back from the axle and that would most definitely hurt handling. This would be even more pronounced with one of the half tons with a 5ft box instead of a 6.5ft. Air bags would help that situation for sure as there is no problem with the truck handling that weight but there is an issue if it is squatting hard and taking the weight off the front even more.

I know i had a one ton Dodge megacab a few years back and just due to the short box and chassis layout it would squat like crazy with the deck and two sleds on. All to do with where the weight was sitting. Now with my longbox the truck doesn't hardly squat.

Just my opinion, hopefully you can find a solution.

 

[X-Treme]

Yes, and the single sled deck is on the bed or in the box! It isn't above the box. I feel for the dude but I don't know enough about half tons to help him out.

An honest question that the guy wants some help with and due to some not too serious dudes, this just might go sideways.

Let's try to help the guy out and show the good side of S&M......:d

You're absolutely correct, and I certainly didn't mean to cause it to go awry.

I 100% agree with ducati here in that I would throw a set of airbags at it. They can make a HUGE difference in handling, and may actually be all the OP needs. Good starting point anyway.

 

[tex78]

Plus a set of bags make it ride better, and put weight back on the front end

 

[ZRrrr]

Supersprings



Have you gone through the front end to make sure all components are in excellent shape? Suspension shot?

 

[eclipse1966]

besides airbags / springs which would definitely help take a look how many ply your tires are. We bought a brand new Dodge years ago and never paid attn to the tires and they put on 4 ply tires and they were horrible when carrying stuff in the box. Truck felt like it was floating with payload less than the truck was capable of.

 

[arff]

Check tire condition. Air bags can level your truck. Remember to check vehicle for overloading

 

[hbar218]

Yes, and the single sled deck is on the bed or in the box! It isn't above the box. I feel for the dude but I don't know enough about half tons to help him out.

An honest question that the guy wants some help with and due to some not too serious dudes, this just might go sideways.

Let's try to help the guy out and show the good side of S&M......:d

I made a smart ass comment but still offered a solution.

 

[Nytroman]

Like said good winter tires with a good sidewall ply to handle the weight. Makes a major difference. Air bags don't transfer weight to the front, only moving the mass closer to front will. With 60 k on the truck shouldnt be a steering box issue. With a bit of steering play and above issues can make for a crappy ride.

 

[tex78]

Like said good winter tires with a good sidewall ply to handle the weight. Makes a major difference. Air bags don't transfer weight to the front, only moving the mass closer to front will. With 60 k on the truck shouldnt be a steering box issue. With a bit of steering play and above issues can make for a crappy ride.

B.s air bags don't.... If it sagged in the rear and u lift it the weight has to go forward

I have seen it on a truck with 5th wheel at scale

Putting 50 lbs air in the bags, truck was squatting and now level... On a scale moved just under a 1000 lbs to the front axle

 

[Nytroman]

Lol. Ya ive never driven across a scale 6 to 10 times per day or more so would have to guess.
Just put smaller tires on front and bigger on rear to level it and all your worries are gone.

 

[Iron Horse Racing]

Need more info in order to make a proper assesment...

What make of truck, what model ie reg cab, ex cab, crew cab and what length of box....then what GVWR all the manufactures have been playing around with what they call a 1/2 ton some with high GVWR but you can still get a 1/2 with 6200 lb GVWR, then look at the condition of the springs, shocks and tires....and thats making the assumption that the mechanical side of the truck is in good order...

This could be a simple tire problem or.....

Need more info

 

[cancritter]

4 ply tires are bad with weight due to weak sidewalls giving you a possible sway issue which in turn if conditions were right could cause front wheels to break free of road....l always buy 10 plys....

 

[REV2XHEART]

I bought 6 ply studded snow tires a couple years back.

In all reality I think it is in my head because I never used to have a problem.

Its a 2006 toyota tundra access cab.