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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

RobWNY wrote:What are your thoughts?Get the proper drivetrain based upon your needs. Do some research to know exactly what the options include.

GM HD Trucks Many with AWD instead of 4WD | Good Sam Community

106 Replies

RobWNY
Explorer
Jul 27, 2020
ACZL wrote:
Good looking truck rob.....CONGRATS!!!! Go w/ B&W brackets and rails, am glad I did w/ Casper.

Thanks Mike. That's what I'm doing. I called a local installer this morning and they ordered the kit. When it arrives they will call me to set up an appointment. Rails are no big deal. Sure the Puck system lets you have a flat bed when the hitch is removed but I keep it in most of the time. I'm not hauling gravel or dirt with the truck so won't ever likely be an inconvenience.
ACZL
Explorer
Jul 27, 2020
Good looking truck rob.....CONGRATS!!!! Go w/ B&W brackets and rails, am glad I did w/ Casper.
RobWNY
Explorer
Jul 26, 2020
Sjm9911 wrote:
Nice truck! Good luck with it. If you have a TT you will love the camera system. They are mean looking!
I have a fifth wheel but this truck has a bed view camera so I can't wait to try it out!
Sjm9911
Explorer
Jul 25, 2020
Nice truck! Good luck with it. If you have a TT you will love the camera system. They are mean looking!
RobWNY
Explorer
Jul 25, 2020
Thanks Jerry, I was hoping I could find a truck with the Puck system but I couldn't. I'll have bed rails installed and use my Patriot 16K which will save me a few $$. I thought the initial MPG was good too. Especially right out of the chute. Hopefully I can get some miles on the truck and the rails installed before camping season ends so I can go at least once this Summer/Fall!
MFL
Nomad II
Jul 25, 2020
Very nice looking truck! I like the built in bed step. It should work great for hitching/unhitching FW, and getting items in/out of bed. A truck weighing 8K+ getting 20+ mpg another bonus. Will be interested to hear what towing mpg are, when you get some miles on.

Congrats again,

Jerry
RobWNY
Explorer
Jul 25, 2020
I now have a new 2020 Silverado 2500HD Duramax. Thank you to those that helped clarify things regarding the 4WD options and a special thank you to those who helped find where this truck was while it was In Transit and played a roll getting it to the dealer so I could become the owner. To stay on topic with this thread, it doesn't have the "Auto" feature and is a traditional 4WD truck. 20.4 MPG coming home from the dealer.
Groover
Explorer II
Jul 22, 2020
Dadoffourgirls wrote:
Retired JSO wrote:
The price and build sheets of 2020 Silverados are either 2WD or 4WD, no AWD option meaning they have 1 transfer case not 3 as on AWD cars.

There are two different 4WD options.
-- 4hi, 4lo, and 2wd
-- 4hi, 4lo, AWD and 2wd

This thread has gotten confusing.
AWD generally means All Wheel Drive. There have been several posts on here about the A setting meaning Automatic 4 Wheel Drive. They are very different things.

I think that this last post should read that the last option is:
4hi, 4lo, Automatic 4hi and 2wd.
Dadoffourgirls
Explorer
Jul 22, 2020
Retired JSO wrote:
The price and build sheets of 2020 Silverados are either 2WD or 4WD, no AWD option meaning they have 1 transfer case not 3 as on AWD cars.

There are two different 4WD options.
-- 4hi, 4lo, and 2wd
-- 4hi, 4lo, AWD and 2wd
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 22, 2020
This thread is still going??
There is no AWD HD Chevy.
Closing time....you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here!