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Bed ballast is not one-size-fits-all. A pickup’s payload label, owner’s manual, tire condition and load-securing points set the limits; added mass must be restrained so it cannot move in braking or a crash. Sand is cheap and remains useful when it is frozen, water systems drain easily but need leak checks, and a purpose-built platform takes less bed height. These options are ballast products or containers, not a substitute for winter tires, careful driving or the vehicle manufacturer’s guidance.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sakrete 70-lb Tube Sand | $8-$15 | Amazon |
| 2 | QUIKRETE 70-lb Tube Sand | $8-$15 | Amazon |
| 3 | ShurTrax Full-Size Pickup Traction Aid SHU20056 | $160-$200 | Amazon |
| 4 | ShurTrax 400-lb Traction Water Weight CLW0056 | $150-$180 | Amazon |
| 5 | Polar Grip Free Form Truck Weight Platform | C$289-$400 | Amazon |
| 6 | Sandbaggy 4-ft Handle Tube Sandbag | $4-$10 per bag | Amazon |
| 7 | Dayton Bag & Burlap Tube Sandbag | $5-$15 per bag | Amazon |
| 8 | Ready Containment Small Truck-Bed Water Bladder | $503-$835 | Amazon |
| 9 | TCC Materials 60-lb Tube Sand | $7-$15 | Amazon |
The picks, in detail
Sakrete 70-lb Tube Sand
A 70-pound poly-woven tube of coarse sand intended for traction and ballast; place it near the rear axle area only after securing the load.
- 70 lb filled weight
- Coarse sand
- Poly-woven bag
- Can be opened for surface traction
- Low cost
- No liquid to freeze or drain
- Bag can tear if dragged
- Must be restrained
QUIKRETE 70-lb Tube Sand
A 70-pound tube-shaped sand bag marketed to fit alongside the rear axle, above wheel wells or in a pickup bed.
- 70 lb weight
- Tube-shaped package
- Sand fill
- Truck-bed placement listed
- Common building-supply item
- Useful as emergency traction material
- Seasonal local availability
- Heavy to handle individually
ShurTrax Full-Size Pickup Traction Aid SHU20056
A fill-and-drain water-weight system for a full-size pickup; it holds up to 50 gallons, about 400 pounds, and uses four supplied tarp straps.
- Up to 50 gallons
- Approximately 400 lb filled
- Four tarp straps
- Accessory repair kit version
- Drains for off-season removal
- Dual-chamber design limits slosh
- Inspect for leaks
- Water freezing is a climate concern
ShurTrax 400-lb Traction Water Weight CLW0056
The F-150-specific ShurTrax water-weight option uses woven nylon mesh and dual chambers and adds up to 400 pounds when filled.
- Up to 400 lb filled
- Dual chambers
- Woven nylon mesh
- F-150 application listing
- Made for the listed F-150 range
- Easy-fill and drain concept
- Check exact truck-year compatibility
- Repair kit is separate in this listing
Polar Grip Free Form Truck Weight Platform
A low-profile molded platform that is filled with sand; the full-size system is advertised at up to 600 pounds while occupying about 2⅜ inches of bed height.
- Up to 600 lb sand fill
- 2⅜-inch bed-height claim
- Embossed-grip planks
- Multiple length options
- Low-profile format
- Sand avoids liquid leaks
- Canadian pricing and availability
- Filled system is not quick to remove
Sandbaggy 4-ft Handle Tube Sandbag
An empty 11-by-48-inch handled tube bag rated for up to 70 pounds of sand or gravel, allowing you to choose the fill and replace a damaged bag.
- 11 x 48 inches
- 70 lb capacity
- Attached tie strings
- Handle
- Fill material is user-selectable
- Long tube spreads weight
- Sold empty
- Tie and fill quality matter
Dayton Bag & Burlap Tube Sandbag
An empty commercial tube-bag option offered in 12-by-37-inch and 11½-by-41-inch sizes, each specified for a 70-pound fill.
- 70 lb fill rating
- 12 x 37 or 11½ x 41 inches
- Coated or uncoated options
- Tube profile
- Two physical sizes
- Can be filled locally
- Quote-based ordering
- Requires fill material
Ready Containment Small Truck-Bed Water Bladder
A purpose-built flexible truck-bed water bladder offered in potable/non-potable and baffled/unbaffled versions for users whose application needs contained water rather than loose sand.
- Flexible pillow-tank construction
- Potable or non-potable options
- Baffled or unbaffled options
- Truck-bed format
- Space-saving when empty
- Baffled option addresses liquid movement
- Far costlier than sand
- Inspect fittings and material before every use
TCC Materials 60-lb Tube Sand
A 60-pound tube-sand option for drivers who prefer smaller increments than 70-pound bags when staying under the truck’s payload limit.
- 60 lb bag
- Sand fill
- Tube format
- Listed for trunk and truck-bed weight
- Smaller individual lift
- Can be combined gradually
- Not a restraint system
- Local stock varies
Buying tips
- Read the door-jamb payload label and owner’s manual before choosing total ballast, then include passengers, tools and the filled product in the load calculation.
- Secure every bag, platform or tank to rated bed tie-down points according to its instructions; loose ballast can shift or become a projectile.
- For water systems, inspect seams and fittings, drain when appropriate for storage, and account for freezing conditions; for sand bags, replace any damaged outer bag.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.