Also, I agree that lost of control is driver error always. This kid I know was goign to McD's before work on a sprinkly day, and ended up having the tail kick out, adn go all the way around on him. Yet, the person before him, and after him, were able to go in without a problem.

 

sorry about the ... saltyness ... of my first post, I jsut got done driving home from work...lol

But at the same time, I have yet to hear of anyone loosing control and wrecking from driving too slow...

 

Whatya mean? Happens all the time - when they get rear-ended by someone driving too fast!

 

We weren't talking about stopping, we were talking about keeping the back end in line, trust me, the extra weight will help keep the back end down while not harming your stopping ability by any amount worth bothering with. I agree with all the above posts though, lower tire pressure, better tread will do a lot more to help you.
Also, I have heard people talk about BFG AT's hydroplaing, but I drive a Taco (read:light in the back) and not only that but I do a lot of highway everyday and I drive like a friggin maniac and I have NEVER had a hydrplaning issue with my BFG AT's.

FYI: I spend at least 1/2 of every winter with my rear end sliding sideways (on purpose) and now, even when it happens by accident due to ice or something along those lines it is very easy to control and solve the problem because I have gotten so used to it. ANY TIME you buy a vehicle you need to find a snowy, icy parking lot and drift around and blow donuts until you can control it every time, you won't regret it, learning how your vehicle handles in an emergency situation is key.

*edit-just noticed you were from Florida, get ready for a long ride to find that icy parking lot.