Anyone driven a 2wd w/locking axle in the snow?
#1
Anyone driven a 2wd w/locking axle in the snow?
Toying with the idea of finally picking up a new truck. I've got a couple more years of winter weather before moving back to the gulf coast and not dealing with snow again. Of course most truck owners in snowy areas go for 4wd by default and claim they wont touch a 2wd, but I've spent over 10 of the last 15yrs I've had my current 2wd F150 for up north and been just fine. In addition to only having a couple years more to go in winter snow, I'd just rather not spend an extra few thousand for something I've never really needed along with the minor hit in MPG, a bit more maintenance, and more stuff to break. In fact in my current F150, I can only think of only 1 or 2 times where 4wd would of even been truly helpful nevermind necessary. I mean of course I have to take it easier in mine vs a 4wd in general once several inches are on the road surface, but I'm talking to the point of being abnormally slow getting going and stuff. Never have got it stuck (yet) on the road either.
Anyways, while I don't want 4wd, I think the locking rear axle may be worth getting to sort of split the difference, and even down south being a nice to have just in case sort of thing (slick boat ramps, soggy wet grass/muddy areas when not parked on pavement, etc). How do these trucks behave with the axle locked when it's slick? The extra traction worth the tendency of both wheels turning to kick the back sideways or is it a toss up between that and just powering a 1 legger through?
Anyways, while I don't want 4wd, I think the locking rear axle may be worth getting to sort of split the difference, and even down south being a nice to have just in case sort of thing (slick boat ramps, soggy wet grass/muddy areas when not parked on pavement, etc). How do these trucks behave with the axle locked when it's slick? The extra traction worth the tendency of both wheels turning to kick the back sideways or is it a toss up between that and just powering a 1 legger through?
#2
IMO, having owned single wheel, positraction and 4WD, if you are not going to get the 4WD then positratcion (locking rear end) is a no brainer. Just throw sand bags in the bed during the winter like we did before 4WD became ubiquitous. A locking differential will help on boat ramps. and in muddy slick situations. Keep in mind you don't have a lot of weight in the back of the truck so the wheels will want to spin in snow and slick situations but these new trucks also have traction control so that is going to help a bunch.