How Much Weight in the Trunk for Snow Driving?

[Tony Alonso]

I have not put weight in the back of a Mustang since my 2003 Mach 1 days, which ended back in 2006 when I retired that car from daily driver status. The S550's stability and traction control wet/snow mode, along with the all-season tires, are drivable in light snow conditions. I've already had the opportunity to check this a few weeks back.

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[Free Agent]

How much weight should I put in the trunk for driving in snow and slush? This is my first year with a RWD. Also, what do you guys use for the weight? Sand bags, kitty litter, etc. that won't take up a ton of space? If it matters, I have Continental Extreme Contact DWS all season tires on my EcoBoost Mustang.

If we get measurable snow (2 or more inches) I will usually try to put 75 to 100 pounds of weight in the trunk of our RWD vehicles. I have lifting weights and some heavy iron pieces that I wrap up to prevent them from scratching up the trunk. You could use sand bags too. Just be prepared for a mess. Never hurts traction to get a little weight over the rear drive wheels in snow. Keep it slow and steady. Good luck.

 

[Slade]

the thread is about snow driving and you have tires that aren't really good at anything. sorry

Yeah...not true. I had those tires on my MX5 for two winters. No weight in the back and I live in Mn. Last two years were pretty serious and those tires never let me down.

That said I do have dedicated winter tires on everything else here because I live in the sticks.

 

[Slade]

ok
a pic tells a thousand words
a vid a Million



btw: you did not put a ton of plastic Spoilers onto an old and rusty subcompact to pretend it is a 2015 Mustang

so do not put weight into the trunk to pretend you got good tires

Not a fair video. Winter vs Summer tires. The DWS is Not a summer tire.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

If we get measurable snow (2 or more inches) I will usually try to put 75 to 100 pounds of weight in the trunk of our RWD vehicles. I have lifting weights and some heavy iron pieces that I wrap up to prevent them from scratching up the trunk. You could use sand bags too. Just be prepared for a mess. Never hurts traction to get a little weight over the rear drive wheels in snow. Keep it slow and steady. Good luck.

Well, I usually keep probably 100 pounds of emergency-repair stuff in the trunk all the time... Floor jack alone is probably 50 pounds, plus compressor, chocks, wrenches, clamps, rags, zip ties, duct tape, jump starter, jumper cables, few quarts of motor oil, gallon of anti-freeze, gallon of washer fluid, gallon of water funnels, etc.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Not a fair video. Winter vs Summer tires. The DWS is Not a summer tire.

That was a winter tire, a summer tire, AND an all-season.

 

[Slade]

I won't argue that in winter a snow tire is superior. I mentioned already that I do that every winter. However, to make generalizations on tires (that more than likely the respondent has never driven on) and criticizing a poster is not in the least helpful.

 

[DaveFraser]

Extra weight in the back will not help you steer or brake, only acceleration. That said, if you keep 2 bags of sand in back you can always use one to spread the sand under your tires for more traction if you do get stuck. Winters will always be better for getting yourself out of a situation that some other driver puts you in.

 

[geokots]

Ford was under pressure to build a lighter Mustang, and adding weight to the rear solely for winter drivers would not have been an acceptable option from the factory, especially since many Mustangs will never see snow. Weight can be added and removed easily, so why make it a permanent part of the car when it won't benefit many drivers?

If having weight over the drive wheels is the main advantage of FWD in the snow, then how is adding weight to the rear not beneficial for RWD?

With some variance due to engine, passengers and options the weight is near 50/50. Add significant weight to the back and directly above the read tires you're changing the ratio and handling characteristics.
More weight in the back gives the front steering wheels less weight by overall ratio.
More weight in the back creates instability when back end swings out due to extra mass.
Also factor 100lbs of loose weight in the back in the event of a collision. It can slide from one side to another creating less control and in the event of something more serious like a head-on crash that a lot of weight being thrown forward with great force. Will the back seats hold it?

 

[Charles147]

Well, I usually keep probably 100 pounds of emergency-repair stuff in the trunk all the time... Floor jack alone is probably 50 pounds, plus compressor, chocks, wrenches, clamps, rags, zip ties, duct tape, jump starter, jumper cables, few quarts of motor oil, gallon of anti-freeze, gallon of washer fluid, gallon of water funnels, etc.

With a full service shop in the trunk, where do you put your groceries? Just curious...Love to see a pic! Do you have it neatly organized like a trunk organizer or just thrown in and always hear stuff moving in the trunk?

 

[thumper]

i live in the northwest. my first winter in my 2011 on factory all seasons was a total fail. the a/s pirellis were useless. i changed to winter sottozeros and it was a huge difference, but ice covered hills were nothing but wheelspin even with tcs on. i needed a full size spare and two paver stones in the trunk to get traction. i also had a bag of kitty litter just in case.

 

[gjgreil]

How much weight should I put in the trunk for driving in snow and slush? This is my first year with a RWD. Also, what do you guys use for the weight? Sand bags, kitty litter, etc. that won't take up a ton of space? If it matters, I have Continental Extreme Contact DWS all season tires on my EcoBoost Mustang.

Your Conti's are a very good all season tire, but as you said that wasn't your question. I agree that some weight over the rear wheels does help but won't replace common sense winter driving . Use any bagged weighted product over the wheels that you can re-use elsewhere after winter for its' intended original purpose. If you have a cat, get litter. If you have a water softner, use that type of salt etc. 40lbs each side should work just fine.

 

[gofastguy]

My wife and I have been driving Mustang's in the winter for about 10 years now in Northeastern Ohio so I am speaking from experience and will try to answer your specific question....sand good, a bag near each rear wheel for normal snow, if it gets too snowy put your 3rd or even 4th bag in. Take them out between snows since it does take away a bit of fuel economy.

 

[B-52 Jetman]

You should have bought a 4X4. I'd never, ever, drive my Mustang in the snow!! Sorry, I wouldn't be able to even fathom it...all that salt trashing the undercarriage...makes me cringe just thinking about it.

 

[TungstenGT]

I don't think you'll need them, but if you find yourself slipping pull into a gas station, buy two bags of salt and put them over the rear tires. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how good the 2015 is in the snow. As for leaving it in the garage for 6 months out of the year, screw that. I bought it to drive it. It's a Mustang, not a trailer queen Vette.

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