Sand Kit Boosts Pickup Traction

Sand Kit Boosts Pickup Traction PICKUPS Accessories 30-1-2 If you had Ron Carlson's sand traction kit installed on your pickup, every time you hit ice or got stuck in snow you could just pull a lever in the cab and sand would drop down in front of the rear wheels. "It's great for going up an icy grade or trying to stop on slick roads," says Carlson. The add-on sand kit consists of a pair of plastic hoppers that mount on the wheel wells inside the truck box. Plastic pipes run down through 2-in. holes to a few inches in front of each wheel. A stopper inside each hopper is used to control the flow of sand. A release handle in the cab connects to a cable that runs through the back of the cab to both hoppers to pull the stoppers. "It works good. Once installed, you'll be amazed how much you use it," says Carlson. "I got the idea after I wrecked my pickup twice after suddenly hitting black ice that I couldn't see. "Each hopper holds about 80 lbs. of sand. Cat litter can also be used. You control the flow rate by how far you pull the handle down. Be sure to use the kind of sand sold at lumber yards. Beach sand won't work because it will harden up," he notes. The kit includes a 2-in. ram drill, screws, sand hopper, cable, turnbuckle, handle holder, stopper, and easy-to-follow instructions. Sells for $495. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Carlson's Pickup Tire Gripping Co., 301 S.E. 54th St., Oklahoma City, Okla. 73129 (ph 405 632-7338; www.mailboxco.net).

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