GM HD Trucks Many with AWD instead of 4WD

valhalla360 wrote:

RobWNY wrote:
Where snow and mud isn't an issue, you can have a 4X2 truck as your tow vehicle, but here in the Northeast, 4X4 trucks are the norm. Now GM is offering AWD instead of 4WD in many of their HD trucks. At least up here, I'm seeing most HD trucks with the AWD option. I'm not so sure that's a good idea in my neck of the woods. What are your thoughts?

Is Northeast snow worse the Midwest snow? Have done fine for years with 4x2.

3/4 and 1 ton trucks are horrid off road vehicles anyway, so a little extra traction from AWD will take care of 99.9% of drivers.

I've never been in the midwest during the winter so I don't know but I'm in the snowbelt off Lake Erie. It's not uncommon to wake up to a fresh 2 feet of snow (Think Buffalo NY area, Blizzard of 1977 as examples) I've also had to pull my RV out of pretty muddy conditions at State parks after it rained for several days. You're right though. 99.9% of the time it's no problem. It's that .1% that worries me.

RobWNY wrote:
What are your thoughts?

Get the proper drivetrain based upon your needs. Do some research to know exactly what the options include.

RobWNY wrote:
Where snow and mud isn't an issue, you can have a 4X2 truck as your tow vehicle, but here in the Northeast, 4X4 trucks are the norm. Now GM is offering AWD instead of 4WD in many of their HD trucks. At least up here, I'm seeing most HD trucks with the AWD option. I'm not so sure that's a good idea in my neck of the woods. What are your thoughts?

Is Northeast snow worse the Midwest snow? Have done fine for years with 4x2.

3/4 and 1 ton trucks are horrid off road vehicles anyway, so a little extra traction from AWD will take care of 99.9% of drivers.

Gramps said never get stuck in 4 wheel drive. Go in the woods in 2 wheel drive and if you get in trouble 4 wheel drive will get you out.

My 2001 Suburban had both...AWD was called 4WD "auto" with a viscous clutch that engaged the fronts based on wheel slip as needed, you could also select real 4WD and 4 LO range. So including the neutral position, you had 5 choices on the t-case selector.

9/10 truck owners just want some traction insurance for the occasional snowy commute to work. The 1/2-ton Chevies went this way about 5 years ago. Same with the Ford Expedition. You have to add the Low-Range T-case option if you want true 4x4 on the Expedition. At least clutch-based AWD can send 100% torque to either axle.