110 pickup traction?

[SCRover]

My 110 pickup is still relatively new to me, and since we don't get much snow in this area I don't have any experience to go on regarding traction - or lack of - in snow. With the reduced weight on the rear of the truck, does anyone find it necessary to add weight to the bed to improve traction? If so, what do you use?

My experience with small, 2wd pickups in the past was they were horrible in snow. I've loaded the bed of a 2wd truck with firewood, sandbags, even some cast iron pipe fittings all in an attempt to get better traction (with little luck.)

My guess is, the 110 is pretty heavy, especially the unsprung weight, so maybe not an issue. I have Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tires which have done OK off-road and in sand, just not sure about winter condition driving.

 

[rocky]

My only snow experience in SC was minimal. It all melted by noon the same day.
My F150 is lousy on snow especially if reversing uphill. All the weight drops on to the front axles. Engaging 4WD is a must, at least temporarily, until conditions improve.
For you, if necessary engage the CDL.

 

[evilfij]

Should be fine. Not much lighter than a softtop 90. Full time 4x4 and locking the diff if it gets bad makes it nothing like a 2wd pickup.

 

[javelinadave]

Sack or two of sand or a 2.5NA motor in the bed couldn't hurt.

 

[Frenglish]

Nice looking 110, looks good in white and tan top.

Some points to consider, your tires if winter rated will be the biggest performance enhancing item in snow driving. Mud tires are not snow tires and ice is ice. Slow is fast here.
Also, this isn’t a rear wheel drive pickup, although it weighs about the same, it is all time all wheel drive and will behave slightly different. You can lock the center diff too, but not advisable in changing traction conditions.

Last and most importantly, road salt will eat these things like raccoons on a picnic lunch. So make sure you clean all that off so you can keep that truck looking nice and lovely for years to come.

 

[LR Max]

Add about 200-300 lbs over the rear axle. That'll help out A LOT.

My 109 soft top had traction issues with the rear axle (noticed heavily off road but also in a few ice storms) until I converted to a full hard top and added a few other things to the back. A full length tool box full of spares and other misc crap. Also got the spare tire hanging off the back. I added all of that to suit my needs but the weight distribution of the overall rover was noticeable and an improvement. BTW all of this is with BFG MTs.

The 110 will be pretty good stock. A lot better traction than an American 1/2 ton. But a few hundred pounds of extra weight on the rear axle will do wonders for you.

If you want to add weight super quick, throw in a set of tires and wheels off of a SUV or pickup truck. They all weigh like, 70-100lbs. Also they roll which is handy.

Lastly, seems like on ice with a rover, the rear axle will lose traction first. Which is fun.

 

[pfshoen]

All season tires aren't.
Dedicated winter tires are the ticket and are likely the only thing you'll have to change. Steering and braking are as important as traction, if not more so.
Not a fan of ballast in a motor vehicle as a general principle. Adding weight affects performance including braking, and handling overall. Relocating weight to achieve a better balance between front and rear certainly is worth doing. Placement of the spare and how much fuel is in the tank make a diff.
Sometimes a vehicle will sink in the snow, sometimes it will stay on top.
Lighter weight is always an advantage in my book.

 

[SCRover]

One thing I learned quick was the rear tires will lock up with any kind of quick stop on pavement. Braking traction in snow and ice is my biggest worry. Really makes you appreciate ABS.
We don’t get enough weather here for me to worry about it too much, but I do want to do Winter Romp maybe next year so good to be prepared.
Anybody got a 2.5NA I can borrow?
Thanks all!

 

[evilfij]

If you are going to winter romp and that’s all you are worried about, get good chains. And when you have chains, tires matter a lot less. You will probably have enough weight with stuff in the back to balance it out.

Getting up there should not be a problem. It’s all interstate and main roads until you are close so unless the roads are closed you will get through because a 110 PUis better than 90% of stuff on the road. Just drive conservatively if you hit snow.

PS depending on the weather you will freeze driving on the highway if you only have a soft top Wear thick boots. It won’t be too bad offroad, but you will freeze on the highway as the heater can’t keep up. A pick up cab should be relatively toasty depending on air leaks.

 

[SCRover]

Yup, pickup cab goes on for the winter. Stays nice and warm.

 

[pfshoen]

Chains will give you some ballast when not in use.
I haven't had to use chains since I went with snow tires in the winter, but they would bring it to another level.

 

[erover82]

I'd start by placing all cargo as rearward as possible and get a good set of v-bar chains with tensioners.