Cheapest Way to Weigh Down Truck Bed

Trucks are designed to carry heavy cargo on their bed. For this reason, you may face hard times if you drive an empty rear-wheel-drive truck. 

Especially on loose sand, soil, when it’s raining, on snow, or muddy road, it can be the worst experience ever. This article will share the cheapest way to weigh down truck bed to save you.

The trucks are designed with the engine and cabin on the front. On the other hand, the rear part is mounted with the bed to accommodate cargo.

For that reason, much weight is designed on the front, leaving the rear part so light. It’s for this reason the trucks have minimal traction when empty. More so, if they are rear-wheel drives.

During winter, you should consider adding weight to the truck bed for better ride. Else, you may face the challenges below;

• Traction loss
• Poor gas mileage
• Wearing out of tires
• Time wastage

However, you wouldn’t want to spend much money every time you drive for better handling and traction. You just need truck bed weight for winter traction with minimal expenses.

Cheapest Way to Weigh Down Truck Bed

Although winter has been the biggest challenge for gear heads, you can enjoy your smooth ride with minimal expenses. Take a look at tips to weigh down your truck bed for traction;

1. Using Sand Bags

You may choose to add sandbags in the truck bed for a smooth ride. In this method, all you need is to purchase sand bags or canopy weight bags.

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Sand is reusable, cheap, and easy to handle. As such, you can drive your truck and return the sand home for reuse.

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Follow the procedure below;

Step 1: Set the number of bags you intend to fill with the sand on the truck bed.

Step 2: Carry the sand in a small weight bucket or containers and fill the bags. Carrying a whole bag filled with sand may be heavy to lift on the truck bed.

Step 3: Properly secure the openings of the bags to prevent sand from spilling out.

Step 4: Arrange the bags parallel to each other on the bed in line with the wheel axle. The idea is to exert maximum weight on the wheels for better traction.

Step 5: Secure the bags with a rope to prevent sliding from their position. A rope is the best option if you don’t have a truck bed sand bag holder.

It can be hazardous if you apply emergency brakes and the bags fly through the back windshield into the cabin.

However, securing the sand bags with a rope can be tricky. Consider wrapping the bags severally with loops of rope. Then, tie it to the truck bed frame or hooks.

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2. Using Water Tanks or Water Storage Bags

Tap water may save you from driving challenges during winter. If you have water tanks or water storage bags, then you’re good to explore the adventure. Luckily, you can reuse the water at home after your trip.

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Step 1: Set your empty tanks on the truck bed in line with the rear wheel axle and secure them with a rope by making several loops around them. Then, tie the rope to the bed frame or anchors.

Step 2: If you are using water bags, you need to make a simple wooden frame around the wheel wells to secure the bags from sliding away. Carry out these simple steps to create a frame.

• Use a tape measure to take the readings from one side of the truck bed to the other.
• Using a saw to cut two timbers of the same length.
• Measure the length of wheel wells from the back to front along the bed floor.
• Cut two timbers of the same length.
• Lay the longer timbers from one side of the truck bed to the other. One in front and the other leaning on the wheel wells at the back.
• Joint them with the two shorter frames by laying them just after the wheel wells. Ensure you leave the central part to sure your water bags.
• Use nails and claw hammer to secure the wooden frame and ensure it’s strong enough to withstand the weight.

Step 3: Connect a garden hose to the tap and fill your tanks or bags with water. Ensure they are full to prevent water from sloshing at the back. It may also affect the truck’s stability.

3. Using Concrete Blocks

If you have concrete blocks around your home, you may use them as the cheapest option. Concrete blocks are reusable and less fragile.

Step 1: Spread a nylon bag on the truck bed surface around the wheel axle. The bag will protect the surface from being scratched by concrete blocks.

Step 2: Set your wooden frame on the nylon bag and secure it within the wheel wells.

Step 3: Set your concrete blocks inside the wooden frame. Don’t exceed the height of the wooden frames to avoid sliding or rolling.

4. Test Drive the Truck

Test the truck for handling and traction with the weight. On the other hand, ensure the weight does not exceed the load capacity.

On some occasions, you may find the road isn’t much slippery for heavy weight. You can reduce the weight for better gas mileage.

Once you’re satisfied, drive the vehicle carefully on muddy or snow-filled roads. You may still experience low traction on wet roads despite the added weight.

FAQs on Truck Beds Weights