Car handling / weight in back

[DocG]

Not sure if this is tech or not. But has anyone who drives their stang in the winter with a bunch of weight in the back noticed changes in handling. I mean my common sense and logic tells me this would affect handling as adding 200lbs to back changes car's balance. My car has a noticeable lean in the back...probably an inch drop in the back, and a countering rise in the front like a see-saw. Car seems to float around more now, especially upon WOT. Almost drives like the 78 camaro I used to have.

 

[BooWFO]

umm why you going WOT with 200lbs in the back for traction I'd assume it's on snowy/icy roads?
But anyways, Only thing I ever added weight to the back of was my Silverado and it really liked it everything else never made much difference. The stang however is sitting at home and the jeep is pulling DD duty now.
BTW if your car has traction control why not use it? Or are you like me don't have that?

 

[DocG]

The roads are clear now, except all the salt and ice treatment crap...so no big deal there...but I've just kept weight in the back for the past 2 weeks just in case it snows while I'm at work...like its doing right now.

I have the traction control....but my problem is the hills, especially the hill leading from northern ky (where I live) down into the valley which is cincinnati (where I work). Have to go back up it to get home, and need all the traction I can get.

 

[BooWFO]

Been thinking on it some, have you thought about either less weight in the rear? or perhaps adding some weight to the front?
The way I'm thinking is you have the weight in the rear for traction, which in turn is lifting the front end giving a vague feeling in the steering, now I know some cars with abs if the tires are up like that the abs doesn't work right. hate to see you have traction for go but not whoa.

 

[DocG]

That makes sense. I was thinkin too that since I'm compressing the stock suspension in the back, it provides less room for compressio and rebound and will affect the handling. Its not too bad, but its a noticeable difference. I hear what you're saying about the ABS...didn't know tthat. Wonder if since when I brake...the nose will naturally dive some, even light braking, if that will keep it from having any troubles. Maybe I'll just take some of the weight out of the back...had 100lbs of cat litter, but then put in a speaker box...now I have a full tank of gas...so maybe a bit too much. Hate to start adding weight to the front and start playing a balance game.

Its kinda funny...because now I get a sense of what it would look like lowered, at least in the back!

 

[04GT]

I had the same problem, but I moved my weight to the floor in the back seat and it's alot better. Rear end doesn't sag as much and it's alot more stable. Probably some kind of "center of gravity" thing.

 

[scupking]

Being a pilot I do a lot of weight distribution stuff. If I screw that up, I'm in for one heck of a flight. So you need to distribute the weight as evenly as possible on the car for it to handle correctly. 04GT has the right idea. If you add weight you want it to be as close to the cars center of gravity as possible, otherwise it can become unsafe if you have too much in the back or too much in the front.

 

[tomustang]

Not sure if this is tech or not. But has anyone who drives their stang in the winter with a bunch of weight in the back noticed changes in handling. I mean my common sense and logic tells me this would affect handling as adding 200lbs to back changes car's balance. My car has a noticeable lean in the back...probably an inch drop in the back, and a countering rise in the front like a see-saw. Car seems to float around more now, especially upon WOT. Almost drives like the 78 camaro I used to have.

i'm guess you never drove with 2 people in the back seat, soft (stock) springs in the rear will do it

 

[04GT]

i'm guess you never drove with 2 people in the back seat, soft (stock) springs in the rear will do it

I can't believe you could find two people willing to ride in the back seat of a Mustang!

 

[03ghoststang]

I can't believe you could find two people willing to ride in the back seat of a Mustang!

i've done it and my friends and i learned a valuable lesson no people in the back seats unless they are hot chicks that actually fit then it's all good