" That said, guess what mom did as soon as he died? Got a nice 4x4 Z71 so she didn't have to worry about snow tires, posi traction, adding weight to the bed, etc."
Well, while I do not wish to denigrate your mom in any way, there are a few facts that must be pointed out:
1. A 4X4 without posi-traction, limited slip, or locking differential(s) is at best a 4X2 in any kind of slippery situation; one in front, one in the rear. Been there, did that, many times.
2. Doing without snow tires in the winter is foolish, IMO. In fact, I run M&S rated traction tires all year long on my 4X4. If one buys a 4X4 for traction, it doesn't make much sense to ruin the capabilities by having "highway tread" tires!
3. Even with 4X4, the rear end of a pickup is very light. Based on the experiences of a long life mostly in snow country, some weight in the back is a very good idea. I carry at least 6 sand bags in the back of my truck, at 60 pounds each, all winter. That may be why I rarely have to put the truck in four wheel drive. In fact, back in the 1950s, when I was driving a 1941 Buick, I always put weight in the trunk to help hold it down on snowpacked or icy roads. It also had sawdust tread or walnut shell tread tires, when we could afford them.
IMO, it is simply common sense to enhance the capabilities of a vehicle in any way possible. Snow tires, weight in the rear, and limited slip of some kind are common enhancements that can save a great deal of aggravation, and could conceivably save a life.
