Adding weight to rear in winter w/ Sierra 2500?
 

I have a 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4 door 4x4 (not diesel).

This is the first winter I will have this truck. I live in Illinois, so we can get quite a bit of snow in the winter. I drive 15-20 miles to and from work each day.

I'm not sure if it would be worth it to have it in 4wd the whole time if the roads aren't too bad. I know you're not supposed to keep it in 4wd if the roads are dry. What about the Auto 4wd option? Will that use more gas than 2wd?

Usually with RWD vehicles you weigh them down in the winter (with tube sand or something similar). Would that be necessary in a 3/4 ton? If so, how much weight do you suggest? Where would you put it in the bed? Directly between the wheel wells?

Or is there no point it using tube sand in a truck of this size?

Thanks for any information.

EDIT: Its a 6 liter v8 if it makes a difference.

RE: Adding weight to rear in winter w/ Sierra 2500?
 

The auto track feature will consume more gas, but, gas is cheaper than body work. There is a product that you can put in the bed and fill with water, up to 400 lbs worth. I do not remember the name; it looks like a water bed. It is supposed to resist damage in freezing temps.

RE: Adding weight to rear in winter w/ Sierra 2500?
 

I live up in NW Indiana and my truck is a 2WD. I've always just put about 500-600 pounds back there right over the axle with some sand bags. I can usually go through anything with that. My bed is Rhino lined and with the sand bags I use they dont even slide around back there. I'd say thats the easiest and cheapest way to get through the snow. 4WD is really only needed if you're stuck and is unnessasary when driving down the road in normal snow conditions. Thanks my input, haha. Hope it helps.

RE: Adding weight to rear in winter w/ Sierra 2500?
 

I use softener salt bags...usually 8 to 10 of the 40 lb. bag variety. Doesn't weigh me down too much but seems to help bite the roads better in the WI winters.