Sandbags for winter?

[WhoDey456]

Iowa winters suck, I dont have all wheel drive and I was wondering if putting some bags in my trunk would help with some traction? I just bought snow tires and I still dont think I will get around that easy!

[saeedakobiakov]

i live in new England and with winter tire i was having blast. cheap a** one too.never use winter tire before now i do.

[Q45tech]

Since the tire contact patch area is a function of weight on tire divided by PSI.....................with a 45% rear ratio ~ 23% of weight is on tire say say ~900 pounds add 200 pounds to rear might increase it by 12%.

900 pound divided by 35 psi = ~ 25.7 square inches of contact area [varies a little by tread design [void ratio] abd sidewall stiffness [shape changes]]].

[saeedakobiakov]

what are you explaining to me?i am confused.skinny tires cut throu the snow, and wide ones dont. that is why i use skinny winter tire to be able to cut throu.i couldnt do it with my 9 1/2 wides.

[szh]

I think that good snow tires will eliminate the need for sandbags.

Try it and I think you will be satisfied.

I lived in Massachusetts and New Hampshire through many a winter, and snow tires were totally sufficient on rear-wheel drive cars to make it all work out.

Of course, using snow tires still does not mean you can drive on fresh snow or ice/sleet like you do in summer, but the scare factor goes down dramatically!

Z

[dvan]

Since the tire contact patch area is a function of weight on tire divided by PSI.....................with a 45% rear ratio ~ 23% of weight is on tire say say ~900 pounds add 200 pounds to rear might increase it by 12%.

900 pound divided by 35 psi = ~ 25.7 square inches of contact area [varies a little by tread design [void ratio] abd sidewall stiffness [shape changes]]].

^

[szh]

^

He is just telling you the effect of adding a typical 200 lb sandbag to the actual weight seen by the car at the tire, and how much the contact patch will change on the snow, etc.

So, people can make an intelligent, calculated decision as to how many bags you might decide to add ... as opposed to just throwing in a bag or two or three (how do you know how many is enough?) sandbags just for the heck of it!

Regardless, my suggestions are: (a) get the snow tires (b) drive more carefully in fresh snow and icy conditions anyway and (c) don't bother with any sandbags. This will be perfectly fine!

Z

[adr4]

The traction control is pretty money and I put on all seasons. The ride is pretty good in the snow, I have had no problems and have never added bags. Drive careful, leave traction control on and all season tires.

[daveM45]

I'm in MN. I use snows but usually carry an extra 40lb. I toss in another 40 or 50lb for really bad days. The little bit of extra weight does help.

[Nomad32]

I'm already at 240 -- I just eat a really large meal before driving. That seems to help too....

[tigerclaws1318]

I'm already at 240 -- I just eat a really large meal before driving. That seems to help too....

LOL I'm like 100lbs lighter at 145lbs. I guess my weight is better for fuel economy.

[ken in az]

More efficient and cheaper way to add weight to the rear is to get a small twin bed water bed bladder. throw it in the trunk and start filling it up. 10 gallons = 80lbs

the fun part would be draining it - lol