Rear Lockers

^ that's been my experience on winter roads here in Alberta as well. I would not want a locker that I couldn't control. I like the factory one in my truck, I just pull out on the 4x4 switch to activate it.

Just don't buy one of those cheap options to replace the spiders with a locking kit. Not strong enough for heavy loads plus undesirable behavior on wet roads. Spend enough to get an oem or quality LS if you do this.

Photomike wrote:
I have been looking at an RV to replace the TCer with and I may have found one that I like. Problem is that it is a 4x2 dually. I remember a while back there was a topic on rear lockers and I cannot find it.

So my question is will putting on rear lockers do anything for more traction? Do they work on the road when driving or are they only for when you are stuck or in really slippery conditions.

Thanks,

I cant imagine driving anything without posi anywhere in Canada in winter,,even in summer one can get stuck in sand or muddy roads when camping..
I have Silverado two wheel drive with G80 locker and got thru any snow and icy roads just peachy..just gotta make sure not to over rev it when stuck..

https://youtu.be/xdND6o9Vsqo

Thanks, everyone.

I don't think I need a 4x4 both for the price and the fact I only used it a couple of times with the TCer and honestly if I would have been without I would have got through just slower and maybe with some digging.

As for the dually rear it is something I am not happy with but 90% of the units that are out there have them and switching to super singles is not an option as it would require major changes to the RV.

Yes, I know this is a truck camper forum but most of the other forums (A, B & C) don't have people that use there units in bad weather or that modify their rigs. I consider my use of an RV is closer to what the TCers do. Also this is where I saw the thread on lockers.

Thanks again.

Bedlam wrote:
A locker should not be used on high traction surfaces. It is used only when you need to drive both wheels at the same speed. Limited slip is best option for additional traction on a 2wd if you are worried about slick roads.

A locker and a spool are not the same thing. Lockers are perfectly acceptable for hard surfaces, they just have some handling characteristics that some would rather do without.

My truck has a factory LS in the rear. If I ever cracked into the diffs I would put ARBs in both ends. It would be awesome to have both ends locked up if I ever got into something I wish I'd not, but not at the expense of every day handling.

I have driven vehicles with rear automatic lockers like Detroits for hundreds of thousands of miles on the road and they are okay most of the time if you remember that they are there. They are an acquired taste, though, and given that there are electric and air powered lockers, I'd choose them first.

I would not, however, pay money to put a limited slip in a pickup truck. They are fine on the drag strip or anywhere where lifting a tire is not likely to happen. They are a good compromise over a locker, too--they are never harsh. But I'd rather deal with the noise and the occasional handling issues than install a wearable part in my drivetrain that has marginal ability to transfer torque to the non spinning wheel. I'd rather just have an auto locker. No real wearable parts and predictable, even if harsh, performance.

I plan on leaving my factory LS in my truck until I'm old and grey, but if I'd had the choice, I'd have installed some sort of locker, either automatic or selectable.

Adding a locker will make a big difference in low traction situations compared to an open diff 2wd.
My last F250 had a factory e locker. It was great. I'd use it in the snow regularly as well as up our steep dirt driveway. 2wd was no go in the winter but hit the locker and right up the driveway.

You want a locking differential, for sure.

Limited slip still allows the wheel with the least traction to spin, and only puts some of the power to the other wheel. Sometimes it's enough, sometimes it's not.

The Eaton locker will not lock up at speeds over 25MPH or 45MPH, not sure which, and will unlock automatically at that speed. So don't just mash the pedal and try to spin your way out.

On slick surfaces, having both wheels spinning can be a blessing and a curse. You will get more fishtailing of the truck due to the fact that there's no stationary wheel to "anchor" the rear end from sliding around.