In Winter: Do you put dead weight in your trunk

Mike Jung · 02-22-2005, 06:08 PM

In the winter time:

Does anyone put dead weight in their trunk ?

How much weight do you put in the trunk ?

Noting: That the my owner's manual states NOT to carry more than 60kg [132lbs] in the trunk.

Does it help ?

After the last few heavy snow falls:
My dad sugguested I put some dead weight in the trunk (towards the rear seats, front part of the trunk/over the rear tires), to get more traction for the rear end/tires.
(I originally thought the Blizzak tires with heavy steel wheels was enough for the rear.)

Even though we have front-wheel drive cars.
He says it helps him, so the rear end does not slide out as much when turning around corners.

The first thing I found in the basement that was easy to use, I put in my trunk...
I put 3-bags of r-i-c-e that are 8kg [17.6lbs] each = 24kg [52.9lbs] over the rear tires.
+ whatever the weight of the other junk in my trunk, like: a 4L jug of windsheld fluid & a booster battery pack, etc...

You can say I put r-i-c-e literally in my car

onesexyga · 02-22-2005, 06:43 PM

I never have a problem with my rear end sliding out. well, that excludes when i want it to.

mystikalchic28 · 02-22-2005, 06:46 PM

hey i am really sorry, but this is my first time on this site.. but how the heck do i post a forum or a question? i'm soo confused!! sorry

Mike Jung · 02-22-2005, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mystikalchic28

hey i am really sorry, but this is my first time on this site.. but how the heck do i post a forum or a question? i'm soo confused!! sorry

Go to the forum you want & select the

button at the top of the page.

to the site.

sc02grandam · 02-22-2005, 07:11 PM

dead weight in the back is useless on a fwd vehicle... and besides how often does your rear end slide out anyways?

scotiez · 02-22-2005, 07:19 PM

Putting weight on the back of a car with front wheel drive is not needed. If you put too much weight in the back it will take traction away from your front tires, and you don't want that especially if its really icy and slippery out.

bigbenSC · 02-22-2005, 07:41 PM

Adding weight to a FWD car with traction control is not necessary at all. Your back end might not slide around a lot at first, but if it does break free then you are stuck with more weight and momentum which will make it dificult to regain control. Remember, adding weight is harder to get started and to stop. Even on RWD cars and pickup trucks, you should only add a small amount of weight, probably less than 200 pounds. The guys you see with beds full of wood and concrete bags are idiots and are only adding to the likelyhood that they will go out of control in snow and ice.

DrFabulous · 02-22-2005, 07:42 PM

I wouldn't do it. Makes the car wayyy to fishy, wants to slide everywhere. You'll find your ass end whipping around a lot.

mr03SCT · 02-22-2005, 08:44 PM

so what about subs, amps and boxes in a trunk...that is dead weight? My subs enclosure + subs and amps weigh over 130lbs and my car is fine with handling.

carsarecool · 02-22-2005, 10:08 PM

make sure the tires with better tread are on the back, that will help the back sliding out

atc3434 · 02-22-2005, 10:50 PM

The GA's got a twitcher rearend than other FWD car's I've owned, but its not extreme enough to think about adding weight, IMO. I like being able to step the rear out a little on occasion. Besides, its FWD, you feel the back starting to get away, put your foot in it a little more and point it where you want it. Nothing to it.

02-23-2005, 04:45 AM

I found that dead weight doesnt work as well as live weight, so each day when the roads are bad, I find a couple moonbats and toss them back there

Ridenour · 02-23-2005, 05:25 AM

I have nothing in my trunk except for a can of fix-flat. No spare, no jack, no sound deadening, no nothing.

And my end does slide out pretty easy, but I don't mind.

- It's not like it just does it by itself.

tomh · 02-23-2005, 05:54 AM

i cant count the number of times my rear end in my GA went sliding around.. its fun.. all cept for that one time.. when it wacked my front end into a curb and broke everything that holds the front passanger wheel on..

MegaHyp · 02-23-2005, 07:25 AM

My rearend used to slide out REALLY BAD last winter. I had some 3 season Michelins on there and thats what caused it. I would just turn down a road and my back would slide out like it was a 600hp Vette, anyone of my buddies who rode with me couldn't believe a FWD would slide out like that. This winter i have aggressive all season Kumhos and the sliding has stopped unless i find some iced over pavement and whip it hard.

02-23-2005, 05:39 PM

Here om Winterpeg, we don't put anything in the trunk....cause when it's -50 outside there is no suspension (frozen) and we have all mastered the art of "fishtailing", "donuts", and other cool vehicle maneuvers on the cold hard icy streets!!!

(just kiddin)

Mike Jung · 11-24-2005, 09:46 PM

So I decided to add 50 lbs to my trunk during this winter.
(With winter tires & steels wheels on.)

It seems to help alittle bit.

Anyone else have an opinion or add weight to their trunk in the winter ?

Panacea · 11-24-2005, 10:03 PM

My car likes to slide around corners a lot. It may be because I take them a little too fast, but I added a sandbag a couple years ago and it seemed to help. I have about 20-30lbs of junk in the back all year round. Should be more than enough. I think 50lbs is good, it should help out.

tenspeed · 11-25-2005, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Jung

Anyone else have an opinion or add weight to their trunk in the winter ?

Adding weight in the trunk will keep it planted in the corners. It will also make it slide out further if the rear breaks loose.

GrandAmGT1996 · 11-27-2005, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carsarecool

make sure the tires with better tread are on the back, that will help the back sliding out

Wouldn't you want your best tires on the front, that way you dont just spin when you try to go?

02-22-2005, 06:08 PM	#1
Mike Jung 400 hp & 410 lb-ft AKA: Mike Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,671 Vehicle: '14 Camaro SS RS coupe	In Winter: Do you put dead weight in your trunk In the winter time: Does anyone put dead weight in their trunk ? How much weight do you put in the trunk ? Noting: That the my owner's manual states NOT to carry more than 60kg [132lbs] in the trunk. Does it help ? After the last few heavy snow falls: My dad sugguested I put some dead weight in the trunk (towards the rear seats, front part of the trunk/over the rear tires), to get more traction for the rear end/tires. (I originally thought the Blizzak tires with heavy steel wheels was enough for the rear.) Even though we have front-wheel drive cars. He says it helps him, so the rear end does not slide out as much when turning around corners. The first thing I found in the basement that was easy to use, I put in my trunk... I put 3-bags of r-i-c-e that are 8kg [17.6lbs] each = 24kg [52.9lbs] over the rear tires. + whatever the weight of the other junk in my trunk, like: a 4L jug of windsheld fluid & a booster battery pack, etc... You can say I put r-i-c-e literally in my car

02-22-2005, 07:11 PM	#5
sc02grandam GAGT - Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Edmonton/ Saskatoon, CANADA Age: 41 Posts: 920 Vehicle: 02 GT coupe.. SC	dead weight in the back is useless on a fwd vehicle... and besides how often does your rear end slide out anyways? __________________ my car click here to listen to the supercharger and exhaust

02-22-2005, 07:19 PM	#6
scotiez GAGT - Member AKA: Scott Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota Posts: 134 Vehicle: 2003 Jeep Wrangler X	Putting weight on the back of a car with front wheel drive is not needed. If you put too much weight in the back it will take traction away from your front tires, and you don't want that especially if its really icy and slippery out. __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/557114

02-22-2005, 07:42 PM	#8
DrFabulous FIGJAM AKA: Matt Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: MN Posts: 9,675 Vehicle: Acura\|Chevy\|Porsche	I wouldn't do it. Makes the car wayyy to fishy, wants to slide everywhere. You'll find your ass end whipping around a lot. __________________ '18 Acura MDX Kid hauler '15 Chevrolet Tahoe Toy Hauler '01 Porsche Boxster Project

02-22-2005, 10:50 PM	#11
atc3434 Grand Am Again AKA: Andrew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Auburn, NY Age: 38 Posts: 1,999 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am SE	The GA's got a twitcher rearend than other FWD car's I've owned, but its not extreme enough to think about adding weight, IMO. I like being able to step the rear out a little on occasion. Besides, its FWD, you feel the back starting to get away, put your foot in it a little more and point it where you want it. Nothing to it. __________________ 1999 Grand Am SE2 - Blue, TOG Headers, SLP Exhaust, DHP - SOLD 1996 Vert' Z-28 - M6, magnaflow muffler-back, K&N FIPK, Hurst Short-throw - 13.6 @ 103mph. 2006 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona - Go Mango Orange #2832 of 4000. Tune/exhaust. 14.009@97mph. 2002 Saab 9 5 Aero Wagon - 3" turboback/tune. 17psi of sleeper fun just waiting to surprise you.

02-22-2005, 06:43 PM	#2
onesexyga onesexyfiero AKA: Kevin Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Vermont/New Hampshire Age: 35 Posts: 1,534 Vehicle: 00 GAGT, 88 Fiero GT	I never have a problem with my rear end sliding out. well, that excludes when i want it to.

02-22-2005, 06:46 PM	#3
mystikalchic28 Look at that ass!! AKA: Lauren Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Downingtown, PA Age: 33 Posts: 22 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am GT Sedan	hey i am really sorry, but this is my first time on this site.. but how the heck do i post a forum or a question? i'm soo confused!! sorry

02-22-2005, 07:41 PM	#7
bigbenSC SC and Loving It! AKA: Ben Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Age: 36 Posts: 1,772 Vehicle: 2005 SRT-6, 2001 GA GT	Adding weight to a FWD car with traction control is not necessary at all. Your back end might not slide around a lot at first, but if it does break free then you are stuck with more weight and momentum which will make it dificult to regain control. Remember, adding weight is harder to get started and to stop. Even on RWD cars and pickup trucks, you should only add a small amount of weight, probably less than 200 pounds. The guys you see with beds full of wood and concrete bags are idiots and are only adding to the likelyhood that they will go out of control in snow and ice.

02-22-2005, 08:44 PM	#9
mr03SCT GAGT - Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 269 Vehicle: 2003 Grandam SCT	so what about subs, amps and boxes in a trunk...that is dead weight? My subs enclosure + subs and amps weigh over 130lbs and my car is fine with handling.

02-22-2005, 10:08 PM	#10
carsarecool GAGT - Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Capital Region, NY Age: 35 Posts: 233 Vehicle: 2004 GTO	make sure the tires with better tread are on the back, that will help the back sliding out

02-23-2005, 04:45 AM	#12
2Dambad Guest Posts: n/a	I found that dead weight doesnt work as well as live weight, so each day when the roads are bad, I find a couple moonbats and toss them back there

02-23-2005, 05:54 AM	#14
tomh GAGT - Member AKA: Tom Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lock Haven, PA Age: 36 Posts: 860 Vehicle: 09 Chevy Silverado LT	i cant count the number of times my rear end in my GA went sliding around.. its fun.. all cept for that one time.. when it wacked my front end into a curb and broke everything that holds the front passanger wheel on.. __________________ My Cardomain My M5 / G6 Message Forum

02-23-2005, 07:25 AM	#15
MegaHyp Work less, Mod more. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The R-O-C..585 Age: 37 Posts: 102 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am SE V6	My rearend used to slide out REALLY BAD last winter. I had some 3 season Michelins on there and thats what caused it. I would just turn down a road and my back would slide out like it was a 600hp Vette, anyone of my buddies who rode with me couldn't believe a FWD would slide out like that. This winter i have aggressive all season Kumhos and the sliding has stopped unless i find some iced over pavement and whip it hard. __________________ --==2003 SRT-4==-- POS Grand Am gone, now rippin with a 2003 SRT-4!

02-23-2005, 05:39 PM	#16
bigdaddy_69 Guest Posts: n/a	Here om Winterpeg, we don't put anything in the trunk....cause when it's -50 outside there is no suspension (frozen) and we have all mastered the art of "fishtailing", "donuts", and other cool vehicle maneuvers on the cold hard icy streets!!! (just kiddin)

11-24-2005, 10:03 PM	#18
Panacea Mmmm Donuts. AKA: Macleod52 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rock Island, IL Age: 40 Posts: 3,160 Vehicle: '09 Malibu LTZ	My car likes to slide around corners a lot. It may be because I take them a little too fast, but I added a sandbag a couple years ago and it seemed to help. I have about 20-30lbs of junk in the back all year round. Should be more than enough. I think 50lbs is good, it should help out. __________________ "Never argue with idiots. They bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience."

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