Three 50lb salt bags (four at first) in the trunk make the rear end appear significantly lower, but they made a big difference with traction. It seems like a good idea for those times when I have to risk inclement weather.

Does putting this kind of weight (100-200lbs) in the trunk potentially cause problems? Will it hurt the suspension? Is it OK to leave the weight in there for a couple of months or should I be taking those bags out at night when I get home from work?

 

I think the extra weight bogs down your car more than give you more traction. The weight also help to laterally push your car out. I think the stability you feel is because the car is now slower. You just need to be careful at all times pushing it to the limits.

 

well...the extra weight has its benefits, however 2 issues:

1) stock rear camber is what...1.5-2 degrees? When you dump the rear end with salt, negative camber increases, which actually decreases your contact patch.

2) i read somewhere that total usefull load for the car is like 400 lbs...someone can correct me on this, but you have 150 lbs in the back, plus you, say 170 lbs. Now who else can you car that weighs 80 lbs? (not to mention you had 4 x 50 lbs at first)

now point #2 is open for refute, but 400 lbs rings a bell somewhere.

 

#2 is right. I usually don't have a passenger; when I do, I can lose the salt bags.

johninator, you are right - caution is merited. What I'm hoping is that this will improve traction a bit in uphill situations. Last week the rear was much too unsteady going uphill.

 

i think the sandbag thing helps with stuff like pickup trucks that have a weight distribution of 70/30.....but with ours that is so perfectly balanced, you're now risking steering and braking performance

 

I agree that it comes down to traction and tires much more than weight. Weight doesn't really mean much when you talk about moving in the snow.

How many 500 lb. cross country skiers do you see?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by phoenix9999
Three 50lb salt bags (four at first) in the trunk make the rear end appear significantly lower, but they made a big difference with traction.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Honda 224 GTS
I agree that it comes down to traction and tires much more than weight.

 

I been driving 3 winters now with the S and Blizzaks here in snowy Chicagoland.

I have about 150lb of sand tubes in trunk and I am confident driving in all but the deepest snow.

Yes, max load is 400 lb.

 

I don't think it will harm in the short term, but long term maybe ?