Would a Drifta Drawer System solve the problem with 4x4 utes

[LB]

Hi Guys,

We are getting a BT-50 and I have read a lot stuff saying that there can be traction issues when 4x4 and in the wet with no weight in the tray.

Was thinking that if we got a Drifta drawer system this might actually solve the problem as it would be permanently in there.

Thoughts

[Julian Kaye]

 I doubt it, one of the features of the Drifta product is that it is about half the weight of other brands. If you are worried about traction then good after market suspension is a better alternative. Personally I would buy the car use it and then make a judgement. If you think rear wheel traction is still a problem then the cheapest way out is three or four well placed sand bags.

[GBC]

All Utes benefit from weight in the back. Drawers, tools, recovery gear, battery and a fridge in the back of the ranger and it still gets loose sometimes. I run in 4wd in the wet around town.

[areyonga]

I have never had a traction problem in my BT 50, but any extra weight in a ute helps with the ride and traction. Like was said, use it and see what you think

[LB]

I doubt it, one of the features of the Drifta product is that it is about half the weight of other brands. If you are worried about traction then good after market suspension is a better alternative. Personally I would buy the car use it and then make a judgement. If you think rear wheel traction is still a problem then the cheapest way out is three or four well placed sand bags.

We will be getting the drifta draws regardless but I reckon they will come close to adding 80kg across the tray would have thought it would at least help. Have no reason to doubt the traction its just comments I have read on Utes in general not relating to the BT-50

[areyonga]

I put the drifta drawers out of my cruiser into the BT50 and the extra space behind them stores the second battery with a divider and the other side is all my recovery equipment and compressor etc.

I have found a lot of the comments of traction problems is more driver inexperience that the vehicle, see how it goes, you may not need to do anything.

One addition that makes life easier is the aftermarket heads up display on the windscreen for the speedo, both my wife and I couldnt see the speedo in the dash without moving to see around the steering wheel, makes life easier, and was less than $100

[LB]

I put the drifta drawers out of my cruiser into the BT50 and the extra space behind them stores the second battery with a divider and the other side is all my recovery equipment and compressor etc.

I have found a lot of the comments of traction problems is more driver inexperience that the vehicle, see how it goes, you may not need to do anything.

One addition that makes life easier is the aftermarket heads up display on the windscreen for the speedo, both my wife and I couldnt see the speedo in the dash without moving to see around the steering wheel, makes life easier, and was less than $100

Like the speedo idea.!!!!!

[Railey]

Just have to learn to drive them during wet conditions. All I had in the States were trucks and you get used to it pretty quick.

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[MDS69]

I had a MN Triton for 6 years and now have a MQ Triton with 11k km on it both auto dual cabs and both 2WD and both generally empty in the tub. The MN was the early model with the gutless motor and the MQ is leaps and bounds a better vehicle but still not as good as a BT50 or PX Ranger. The MQ if you stand on it on a wet road will spin the wheels. As usual an intersection or roundabout will be slippery as this is where cars drop oil. Never had an issue where it was a concern and you just learn to drive to the conditions.

[LB]

Thank you to all your comments a little more reassured now. Just will have to give it lots of practise.
 

[Metters]

I have never had any problems with rear wheel traction on my 4x4 single cab but it is running on standard specification tyres with the recommended pressures in the handbook.

A empty ute with a tub or genuine manufacturer approved aluminium tray will most likely have more weight on the front wheels than the rear.  The recommended pressures will ensure the slip angle of the front tyres will be slightly higher than the rear tyres.  The slip angle is the angle between where the wheel is pointing and where the distorted tyre is pointing.  Having the front angle slightly higher than the rear will ensure the front of the car will understeer i.e run out a little wider in corners rather than have the rear end go first which is oversteer.   This is done because very few drivers can handle the rear end sliding out first.

As you keep loading the car, the load on the rear tyres will increase.  As you increase the load on a tyre in a corner, you reduce its traction to the point where it will let go and slide.  This means the rear of the ute should now slide out first but it doesn't because you have to increase the rear tyre pressures in accordance with the load.  This reduces their slip angle to the point where, when everything is loaded up correctly, the front slip angle should still be slightly higher than the rear and the car will continue to understeer.

The moment you change tyre sizes and pressures, all of this design work carried out by the manufacturer at a cost of millions over years of development goes out the window.  Who knows what the car will do now.

You may also find the front pressure does not change at any time regardless of load.  That applies to my car and possibly many others. If this is the case then it explains why many owners have fitted a steel bull bar and winch and found the front axle weight is now over its maximum capacity.  The front end is not supposed to have any weigh added to it by anything other than a manufacturer approved accessory.  By weighing it down the angles of the front wheels change immediately and they will change again, to the wrong position, in corners. 

[LB]

The moment you change tyre sizes and pressures, all of this design work carried out by the manufacturer at a cost of millions over years of development goes out the window.  Who knows what the car will do now.

We have always had BF 285/65/16 on our cruisers, 265 are standard. We have made the decision with the new car to stick to the manufacture specs 265/65/17, but just getting the dealer to use BF's.