extra weight for a flat bed truck

[stice316]

i have been having trouble with wheel spin and lack of flex with the rear of my rig. After many obvious answers like throw something on the bed. wheel weights, weld weight to the axle, and so on I was looking at fluid in the tires. The local fluid guy said that the calcium they used in tractor tires was about 10lbs per gallon and cost about 10 dollars per gallon and he would pump it in the tires for 15 dollars a piece. Not knowing for sure how the little 20r would hold up to this i was not willing to let go of that much cash to figure out this was stupid. I did some looking and calling around and found a valve from the local farm and home store that goes from a garden hose to a valve stem and it has a bleeder to release air presure. the cost of the valve was 11 dollars. We started by removing the valve core and letting all the air out of the tire. with the tire still on the truck. hooked up the valve and let the water fly and fly it did. I didn't notice but when the hose filled up it twisted the connection lose. But after re tightening it things were looking good the tire filled back up to the height it was before. I then turned off the water and bled out the air. and finished filling the tire. I could hear water boiling in the tire and new it was above the valve stem on the top. Now comes the wettest part of my story. After re tightening the valve I got it a little to tight and had to take it off piece by piece trying to stop the water from coming out. He he and then getting the valve core back in. Must say dint try this alone!. then second side went a little smother but not flawless. Now its time for a test run. I did notice a difference in two wheel drive starting off but after that it doesn't seem much different than before as far as power goes. The ride is a little bumpy between 40 and 50 but then smooths out. Next its time to hit the trails. Sorry no pics but i could not believe the difference this made. its like going from a open rear to locked or welded. And the flex was improved also. I did not put any in the front tires because of the birfield weak link.

before


after


in the first pic i was stuck and had to be pulled out the second pic was with the water and could drive through or back out. So far I like the extra 80 or so lbs of weight per tire. I just hope i don't forget about it when it gets cold again.