Winter truck prep?

[J-hop]

There’s another thread from 2014 but I wasn’t feeling a necro bump after reading it. What do you guys do for winter prep/safety prep??

I picked up a few sandbags today, not sure if that is going to do anything, 100kg/220lbs positioned over the rear axle. Basically the equivalent of a larger person sitting in the box so not sure it will have a significant effect even on my 1/2 ton.

Thought it would be fun to see any unique things other people do.

[ExtraSlow]

Have your battery tested and keep it charged. Carry booster cables.

[firebane]

There’s another thread from 2014 but I wasn’t feeling a necro bump after reading it. What do you guys do for winter prep/safety prep??

I picked up a few sandbags today, not sure if that is going to do anything, 100kg/220lbs positioned over the rear axle. Basically the equivalent of a larger person sitting in the box so not sure it will have a significant effect even on my 1/2 ton.

Thought it would be fun to see any unique things other people do.

You want like 500lbs to make any sort of difference especially in full size.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Nothing much differently. Still hoping to find a kinetic recovery strap on sale, lost all my old recovery straps. Keep an eye on oil and coolant levels, check tire pressures more. Plug in block heater under -5. Wash once a week including rockers, wheel wells and frame.

[speedog]

I just carry about 1,200 pounds of tools with me.

[Darell_n]

Winter is cancelled this year, so let's start a summer truck tire thread.

[ExtraSlow]

Winter is cancelled this year, so let's start a summer truck tire thread.

Well the motorcycles have been put this week.

[J-hop]

You want like 500lbs to make any sort of difference especially in full size.

Yea I was thinking of picking up another 4 bags to make it 200kg. Drove my buddies 3/4 ton with a sled deck and 2 sleds on it recently, WAY more traction.


Nothing much differently. Still hoping to find a kinetic recovery strap on sale, lost all my old recovery straps. Keep an eye on oil and coolant levels, check tire pressures more. Plug in block heater under -5. Wash once a week including rockers, wheel wells and frame.

Was actually spraying the frame last week, so much rust. Guy before me obviously didn’t care.

[firebane]

Nothing much differently. Still hoping to find a kinetic recovery strap on sale, lost all my old recovery straps. Keep an eye on oil and coolant levels, check tire pressures more. Plug in block heater under -5. Wash once a week including rockers, wheel wells and frame.

-5 for what? Shouldn't need to plug in till a good solid -15 to -20 temps

[revelations]

-5 for what? Shouldn't need to plug in till a good solid -15 to -20 temps

Diesel .... some older trucks start much easier

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

-5 for what? Shouldn't need to plug in till a good solid -15 to -20 temps

Diesel. Much nicer start, quicker heat and better fuel economy. I have it on a timer to start 3 hours before I leave the house.

[firebane]

Diesel. Much nicer start, quicker heat and better fuel economy. I have it on a timer to start 3 hours before I leave the house.

Well yes but OP said nothing about their vehicle.

[J-hop]

Well yes but OP said nothing about their vehicle.

I was more just thinking of a general discussion thread not really “tell me what to do” thread. I do all my own maintenance, just did a full timing job on the truck a couple months ago. So got the maintenance side covered.

Just wondering what unique things people do. I just picked up a tow strap and hitch tow shackle for the truck, hopefully never end up on the bad side of the tow strap but rather be safe

[Tik-Tok]

Not a whole lot. Recovery straps in one side storage bin, full tool kit in the other. With a full tank of gas I've got 50.2/49.8 weight distribution, so I just keep it topped up. Studded tires too.

[schurchill39]

I literally do nothing different besides make sure I keep the truck fueled up more and keep a few extra pairs of gloves. I have booster cables, a 20ft long tow strap, shackles, and a small tool kit with me all year so a quick check over that nothing has migrated out of the truck and I am good to go.

[J-hop]

Thankfully looks like Rogers pass is pretty clear now. Heading there this week. Road looks really clear now.

Got me thinking with the major snowstorm that went through there last week. Went through last year in a storm, was fine other than passing people doing 60, truck is just so light in the rear it doesn’t make getting over the lane snow mounds too comfortable.



Not a whole lot. Recovery straps in one side storage bin, full tool kit in the other. With a full tank of gas I've got 50.2/49.8 weight distribution, so I just keep it topped up. Studded tires too.

I was thinking of trying out studs this year actually.

[dirtsniffer]

no prep for me. probably should get rid of the stock wrangler sra tires, but they are still doing the job.

If I end up on the highway I would bring some extra clothes and boots. Maybe will look at a recovery system one day.

[Shlade]

I stuff my truck with some gloves, hat, and jacket JUST in case. Aside from that don’t do much

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Oh also I leave my skates and stick in my truck lol

Also a bottle of spare coolant and gloves, boots etc.

[Brent.ff]

winter tires... upgraded to them this year from winter-stamped all-seasons. Notably better on snow and ice (have been out to the Smith Dorrien weekly, including after the dump on thursday), and better on gas as i can ditch the sandbags in the back

[ShermanEF9]

Loaded up my emergency kit (recovery strap, blanket, jumper cables, straps, etc.) and keep a pair of gloves in the truck.

[killramos]

I think at a minimum you need:

2 spare tires
Hi lift jack
Winch
3 Jerry cans of fuel
Traction aids
Chains
Sat phone
A friend with another truck
Snacks

Lol

[ExtraSlow]

I think at a minimum you need:

2 spare tires
Hi lift jack
Winch
3 Jerry cans of fuel
Traction aids
Chains
Sat phone
A friend with another truck
Snacks

Lol

If you drive a jeep that's probably wise.

[killramos]

True story :rofl:

[J-hop]

I think at a minimum you need:

2 spare tires
Hi lift jack
Winch
3 Jerry cans of fuel
Traction aids
Chains
Sat phone
A friend with another truck
Snacks

Lol

Haha yea that’s actually why I didn’t bump the thread from 2014, some of the responses were way overboard

[94boosted]

Most of this stuff stays all year: recovery strap, shackles, jug of washer fluid, ~150lbs of sand bags, booster cables, spare coat/gloves/hat, hand warmers, kitty litter, couple flashlights, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, multi tool.

Do: check spare tire pressure, fuel up more often

Planning on buying a few safety triangles next time I'm at princess auto.

[ShermanEF9]

One thing I would recommend to everyone. Get out your tools and actually get your spare tire out of the vehicle. 1. To make sure you know how to get it out (I had to help a gentleman in a best buy parking lot with this because he didn't know how the mechanism worked) and 2. To make sure it hasn't seized. I know this is an issue with some of the slightly older trucks out there. Due to its location they can very easily become corroded and seize. Also check to make sure the spare is still good. Replace them after 5-6 years yadda yadda.

[J-hop]

One thing I would recommend to everyone. Get out your tools and actually get your spare tire out of the vehicle. 1. To make sure you know how to get it out (I had to help a gentleman in a best buy parking lot with this because he didn't know how the mechanism worked) and 2. To make sure it hasn't seized. I know this is an issue with some of the slightly older trucks out there. Due to its location they can very easily become corroded and seize. Also check to make sure the spare is still good. Replace them after 5-6 years yadda yadda.

Yea good suggestion. Especially if you buy a used truck and don’t know if the tools are actually there. I bought my truck and a week later noticed the spare tire wasn’t properly in place. Went to raise the tire and found the previous owner apparently lost part of the tire iron attachment used to crank the spare tire pulley! Had to fabricate a new one from a socket extension

[ShermanEF9]

Right? imagine trying to figure that out in -25, wind howling, on the side of hwy 2.