Sand bags or chains for snow?

krc333 · 12-28-2006, 10:37 AM

I'm in Colorado and we are going to get hit again with about 2 feet of snow. I got stuck once even in 4 wheel drive in some really deep stuff in my neighborhood last week. I was thinking of getting some sand bags for some backend weight or maybe even chains. Does anyone have any feedback on what would be better? I'm used to driving an old 4runner that was money in the deep snow.

f00dstamps · 12-28-2006, 10:49 AM

i don't have any experience with chains but i'm sure they'd work great. the easy solution, however, is to throw a few sandbags in the back. nobody said you couldn't do chains and sandbags together.

ruauman2 · 12-28-2006, 11:00 AM

Both would work well. I prefer to use my heavier friends as ballast. They can also use a shovel and push when needed. Sandbags and chains can't match that kind of flexibility.

Damn, I wish we would get some snow.

Don't you people in Colorado know we are experiencing global warming and you should not be getting any snow?

Quad T · 12-28-2006, 11:54 AM

Send us some of that snow! Here in Upstate NY we are WAY UNDER our normal snowfall. Typically we get about 100" of snow, to date I have gotten less than 4.

I believe one of the best things for snow is really good quality tires, I run A/Ts and they have always worked really well in snow. Even with lots of weight in the rear, if you are on the crappy GoodYears not much is going to help ya deal with snow...

I have never gone the route of chains, but come November I always load the sandbags into the bed of my trucks. The Titan has five 70 lb. bags and then with the LazerLite I figure I have about 430 pounds evenly distributed on the rear. I have the sand bags held in position between two 2x10" pieces of wood dropped into the bed's wood slots so when I stand on the gas or the brakes they are not sliding around.

Good luck wit your upcoming storm...

DRTYAZN · 12-28-2006, 11:58 AM

I recommend both, sand bags in back along with a small shovel... keep cables (not chains) in truck in case the surfaces require them... of course, if you need the cables/chains and they have not been installed, then it is pointless to have them... best bet at that point is to grab your shovel, spread some sand from your sand bag and hope the tires bite... good luck, I do miss those great blizzard like conditions in CO... spent 3 yrs. in Colorado Springs and loved the winters, except for the frigid wind coming over the mountains...

krc333 · 12-28-2006, 12:30 PM

thx for the feedback, i'm probably going to pick up some sand and load up a box of stuff emergency stuff. It's coming down but it's too wet to stick. I was snowed in during xmas and entire my holiday trip was cancelled i'll be damned if i don't make it to the mountains for New Years seeing how i prepaid for a weekend house at Breck.

bestatchess · 12-28-2006, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krc333

thx for the feedback, i'm probably going to pick up some sand and load up a box of stuff emergency stuff. It's coming down but it's too wet to stick. I was snowed in during xmas and entire my holiday trip was cancelled i'll be damned if i don't make it to the mountains for New Years seeing how i prepaid for a weekend house at Breck.

They just closed 70 W.

f00dstamps · 12-28-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

They just closed 70 W.

that may suck for some people. some of those vacation packages are non-refundable even if the weather goes crappy. i waived the vacation insurance last time but i'll look at it more carefully next time.

Quad T · 12-28-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krc333

thx for the feedback, i'm probably going to pick up some sand and load up a box of stuff emergency stuff.

Based upon your reply I was just thinking about what I have in my Titan for winter. I'm sure I could be more boy scoutish, but truth be told, this is all I have packed.
- sand tubes - two 2x10s, works as pry bars and traction getters - folding military shovel - jumper cables - extra coat - two sets spare gloves - pull over hat - extra pair of jeans - blanket - tow rope - crank-up style flashlight - breakfast bars - telephone charger - extra washer fluid

I will admit, I have had to use the folding military shovel. During the last big snow storm while driving my '95 XE-V6 4x4 KC and going a bit too fast, I clipped a snow drift that was much deeper than I thought. the best tires in the world and the best 4x4 in the world won't do ya a damn bit of good if the truck has been lifted off the ground. I was darn cold and wet by the time I dug enough snow out from under the truck to get it back down on the ground. Those nice off-road skid plates worked just like a snow board, and up onto the drift I went... DOH!

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 12-28-2006, 02:47 PM

I wish I could help. Here in NY, if the weather keeps up the way it has, I'm planting palm trees in the front yard!

My train of thought it this, 4WD on this truck works amazingly in snow. A little weight in back can't hurt. If it gets SO bad that I need chains?....Im staying home!...lol. Be safe and have fun. Happy NEw YEar!

**Kronos1965** · 12-28-2006, 03:23 PM

Sandbags are great for initial traction but after you're stuck, you're stuck!

Chains work great in deep snow/slush where the tires can't clear. For most driving in snow, get cables as they are easier to put on and drivability will not be as bad as chains.

If you can air down the tires to 25 lbs, that helps quite a bit.

A shovel, 6feet of perforated metal plating for traction, and a tow rope is something to consider if you get stuck...

georged · 12-28-2006, 07:41 PM

Speaking from Idaho Panhandle winters experience 4x4 traction in snow is never a real problem unless on a grade (up or down).

Ground clearance with 2' of snow can be a real problem. These things aren't snowplows pushing the snow aside, it goes under the truck and quickly becomes compacted.

mtofell · 12-28-2006, 08:00 PM

Quote:

I'm used to driving an old 4runner

I loved those trucks... I had an 89 and a 95 and drove the piss out of both. Until I got my Titan those were easily the best trucks I ever owned... now it's close.... Of course the Titan is 10X the vehicle but for how old I was and how much they cost, those were great trucks. The 4X capabilities of those trucks completely stock was amazing.

bestatchess · 12-28-2006, 08:23 PM

My 2004 Owner's Manual at 8-35 says use only the SAE Class S type of chains which require minimal clearance between tire & wheel well.

**Titan1080** · 12-28-2006, 08:33 PM

If only I could find chains to go over my MTs... checked five different stores around here. Waiting on some chains on order at Les Schwab. Oh well, I have about 300lbs of sand, a Hi-Lift jack, oversized base for Hi-Lift, wheel hook attachment, tow straps, sleeping bag, blanket, maglight, phone charger, and a fold-up shovel. I really could have used the hi-lift one winter when i high-centered my truck in deep snow. It rarely gets that bad up here in WA, but if it does I would like to have some chains to throw on the front tires just in case.