Grit dog wrote:
mowermech wrote:
" 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.
Appreciate the consideration mowermech, and I agree whole heartedly with most all your post, save for one point I was trying to make. Dad used to do all that stuff to his 2 wheeler so it would actually work ok in the snow. Mom learned that there was this magic lever or handle that gave a truck better traction than all that stuff put together....called 4wd. Never said there weren't some sand bags or log rounds in the bed all winter. z71s are limited slip.
Difference was she wasn't SOL if there was a little greasy snow on the road and she wasn't all prepped up for the north woods winter. She turned that little knob on the dash and motored home with confidence inspiring traction. (She drove rwd buicks her whole life in the Midwest or said 2wd trucks. She knew what she was doing, just realized there was a better way.)
She was headed home from visiting us in Albq for Easter one year. Hit a snow storm.....somewhere. I asked her if she was pulling over for the day. She was like "He!! No, I got 4wd this is great!"
That and the 4x4 with an open rear diff is no better than a 2wd with posi argument got old about the 40th time my dad said that because he was too cheap to get a 4x4 truck. (More like we couldn't afford it and didn't absolutely need it.)
You pick your ultimate 2 wd truck, I'll even spot you a Chevy with G80 locker or Ford E locker. I'll pick any 4x4 of the same model with an open rear diff. Same tires, same weight in the bed and I'll bet you the pink slip for either truck that I make it farther, faster than you with rear wheel drive only. :)
Edit wrong smiley. Cheers!
I am reminded of the time many years ago when we were very carefully driving on I-90 between Reed Point and Big Timber, in a Chrysler LeBaron Convertible. the driving lanes were very snowpacked and icy.
suddenly, this pickup came up behind us, spun out, and landed upside down in the median.
Care to hazard a guess as to what it was? If you guessed a 3/4 ton 4X4, you would be spot-on! A Ford F250 standard cab long bed, to be exact.
Yep, we see the "4X4 syndrome" every winter around here. "I have four wheel drive, I won't have any problems!"
Our answer to that is the same every time: "Four wheel drive will help you GO, but it will NOT help you STOP, nor will it help you TURN!"
There is a reason many mountain passes have signs that say "Four wheel drive WITH MUD & SNOW TIRES do not need chains unless towing."
If you have "All Season" tires, you must chain up, even with 4X4 or AWD.
