Sandbags?

[Bozemanite]

I have an f350 fx4 crew cab short bed with my 5th wheel hitch mounted in the bed. I will be driving it from Southern CA to Montana this weekend. The roads will be icy. I have driven a 4x4 Suburban on the same route without any problems in the past. A friend of mine from work who lived in Canada for 30 years suggested that I put 2 50lb. sand bags in the bed for better traction. Is this overkill? The distance between the back of the crew cab and the axel is about 3 ft. I figure the hitch probably weighs a couple of hundred pounds as well. Thoughts? I can buy the two sand bags for about $6, but if it isn't necessary, that's another gallon and a half of diesel.

[Dirtballx2]

I would think the extra weight of the hitch is more than enough. I would save the $$ for diesel. It is $3.99 here near Boise ID if that help you out some.

[clutch]

A hundred pounds in the back of a one ton truck won't even be noticed. 5 or 6 hundred pounds might make a small difference in traction.

[Bozemanite]

Thanks for the reassurance. I think that I will be fine. My Suburban is a 1500. Great traction. I have even better tires on the f350 as well. I think I will be fine. Otherwise, slipping and sliding can be fun. :-)

[Wyotraveler]

Assume you are coming up I-15. Pretty much open. I would use the 511 numbers for weather along the way in case it changes. I also store the 800 numbers for each state DOT in case I want weather further ahead across the state line.

I just pulled my TT from WA, through ID, MT, down into WY and most of the roads were wide open. Only icy and some snow over the mountain passes. We were 70 mph almost all the way.

Just be careful of black ice over bridges.

[29BHS ECO]

Don-- The 2 bags might be a" neat" to carry some sand should you need it due to slippery conditions. Larry

[Wyotraveler]

Don't think you need the sand. When I drove my 1/2 ton 2WD pickup I carried sand in the very back held in place with a cargo net. If you do carry sand make sure it is the dry playground sand and keep it in a moisture proof container. Otherwise it can freeze and not be of much use. We drive all the time here in WY on pretty icy roads with the FX4. We just use 4WD as needed. I carried tire chains for years and never needed them. They still have the plastic wrap on them.

[SecretCoveDave]

We are having the coldest winter in 20 yrs. here in Canada's LotusLand. First mention of 'possible' snow flurries this morning.

I was thinking of the winterized TT sitting in storage and how much I would like to be out there.

This info means next winter.......mount up!

[Wyotraveler]

We are having more snow than usual in Wyoming. For the last 3 days lots of fog and freezing moisture on everything. Very unusual for Wyoming.

[Albertaguy]

Originally Posted by DonWard

I have an f350 fx4 crew cab short bed with my 5th wheel hitch mounted in the bed. I will be driving it from Southern CA to Montana this weekend. The roads will be icy. I have driven a 4x4 Suburban on the same route without any problems in the past. A friend of mine from work who lived in Canada for 30 years suggested that I put 2 50lb. sand bags in the bed for better traction. Is this overkill? The distance between the back of the crew cab and the axel is about 3 ft. I figure the hitch probably weighs a couple of hundred pounds as well. Thoughts? I can buy the two sand bags for about $6, but if it isn't necessary, that's another gallon and a half of diesel.

I just googled the I-15 weather forecast for the next few days and see you should have clear sailing coming from the south if you travel the I-15 so doubt you will see any ice or snow.

[Bozemanite]

I have been watching the reports as well. The area where I will encounter ice is when I get off the 15. I take the 2 through Island Park to West Yellowstone and then the 191to my house in Bozeman. Last year it was pretty icy from before Ashton to West Yellowstone. Lots of cars in the ditch. Done this drive many times. First time in my new truck though. Thanks everyone for the input and suggestions.