Snow, does weight in the back help?

Schlappesepple · Jan 8, 2025

Scotty4run said: ↑

I have an anecdote, not really test data:

I drove across the country in february, from the PNW to the lake states. My 5th gen was loaded with about 850 pounds including me, this number is accurate, I weighed everything before loading it. Weight was distributed throughout the vehicle, I tried to generally center most of the load over the rear axle so a good bit of weight on the passenger floor in addition to the cargo area. At least 80 percent of this drive was on snow & ice covered roads so I had plenty of time to get used to the handling with the load. When I arrived at my destination and unloaded the rig, it felt completely different on snow & ice. It felt like I was on old or bald tires, slipping all over. So I did notice a benefit to winter driving and braking with that load. As I stated in an earlier post, I don't feel a noteworthy difference when I just add 2 bags of tube sand. My gut tells me the weight bias is not really balanced in an unloaded 4runner, maybe not as bad as a pickup and still unbalanced.

My tires at the time were new Open Country All Terrain, 3 Peak LT's aired to about 38 psi.

Anyone have any actual test data regarding winter traction with added weight in an suv? I'm guessing someone has tested traction & stopping distance on different surfaces with different loads of weight.
Click to expand...

I've spun the tires a lot on my old car after driving with a heavy load. Is it possible you had gotten used to the increased gas and brake pressure needed, and you were essentially hammering on the gas and brakes after losing the weight?

I did a few burnouts in my Rodeo after a week long, heavily loaded road trip, before I got used to the unloaded weight.

FourBelugas · Jan 8, 2025

Schlappesepple said: ↑

I've spun the tires a lot on my old car after driving with a heavy load. Is it possible you had gotten used to the increased gas and brake pressure needed, and you were essentially hammering on the gas and brakes after losing the weight?

I did a few burnouts in my Rodeo after a week long, heavily loaded road trip, before I got used to the unloaded weight.
Click to expand...

I am sensing that whatever we say here, OP is just going to dismiss it and ask again for actual/conclusive/accurate/solid test data.

Log in or Sign up

Welcome to 4Runners.com!

Snow, does weight in the back help?

#61
Schlappesepple New Member

#62
FourBelugas New Member

Products Discussed in

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Welcome to 4Runners.com!

Snow, does weight in the back help?

#61 Schlappesepple New Member

#62 FourBelugas New Member

Products Discussed in Entire Site Forum: 5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)

#61
Schlappesepple New Member

#62
FourBelugas New Member

Products Discussed in