2wd in the snow - does the traction control help?
11-24-2010, 10:22 PM
#52
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2wd is fine. I live in Atlanta and we got it hard last year with snow. During the snow last year I had an 2006 2wd with all terrain tires. This year I got a 2010 2wd I plan to upgrade to a bigger tire like an all terrain. Go with the 2wd and if u want u can upgrade to a bigger A/T tire for around $800 or so.
11-24-2010, 11:49 PM
#53
Senior Member
Keep in mind the actual cost of opting for 4x4 is much less than the additional up-front cost...they are worth more when you sell them, and 4x4 trucks generally hold their value a bit better also. So the actual cost of getting 4x4 is probably less than half the actual purchase price difference over 4x2.
11-26-2010, 10:49 AM
#54
Senior Member
fshrmn: If you put the sand directly over the rear axle, it loads the rear tires for traction. If you load the sand BEHIND the axle, it still loads the rears, but actually UNLOADS the front axle (i.e., the lever principle) which will reduce your traction for steering. In addition, the extra weight placed behind the rear axle moves the mass center (CG) of your truck further to the rear, which can cause an uncontrolled sway if you lose traction and start to fishtail. Best place for the sand is either right in front of or directly over your axle. BTW, the sand also works great under your tires to help with traction if you get stuck on ice or snow.
11-27-2010, 08:31 AM
#55
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fshrmn: If you put the sand directly over the rear axle, it loads the rear tires for traction. If you load the sand BEHIND the axle, it still loads the rears, but actually UNLOADS the front axle (i.e., the lever principle) which will reduce your traction for steering. In addition, the extra weight placed behind the rear axle moves the mass center (CG) of your truck further to the rear, which can cause an uncontrolled sway if you lose traction and start to fishtail. Best place for the sand is either right in front of or directly over your axle. BTW, the sand also works great under your tires to help with traction if you get stuck on ice or snow.
11-27-2010, 07:05 PM
#57
Senior Member
Several seconds???
No snow here in Houston, but I have tried to spin the wheels on a hard right turn going uphill on slick, oily wet pavement. I can't even get the wheels to spin. Maybe a fraction of a second and then the computer controls kick in and no skidding.
I used to drive a 2001 Chevy Silverado (previous vehicle) up that same uphill right hand turn for several years before buying my 2010 F-150 Platinum. That Silverado would break traction and skid if the road was wet. Even with the most gentle application of accelerator pedal.
My experience is that my F-150 anti-skid works full time and it will stop a skid in a fraction of a second.
No snow here in Houston, but I have tried to spin the wheels on a hard right turn going uphill on slick, oily wet pavement. I can't even get the wheels to spin. Maybe a fraction of a second and then the computer controls kick in and no skidding.
I used to drive a 2001 Chevy Silverado (previous vehicle) up that same uphill right hand turn for several years before buying my 2010 F-150 Platinum. That Silverado would break traction and skid if the road was wet. Even with the most gentle application of accelerator pedal.
My experience is that my F-150 anti-skid works full time and it will stop a skid in a fraction of a second.
Last edited by SailorDon; 11-27-2010 at 07:08 PM.