I have the 2.7 fx4. I was reading some threads that talk about using the elockers for snow driving. In my opinion this is a mistake. If you lock the rear then if one side slips the other side will also causing a loss of traction. Powering up a trail this may be good but not driving on roadways. When one wheel slips the other likely does not have enough grip for both of them. If your already stuck it may be beneficial but I have yet to get stuck. I've tried different combos in 2 different snowstorms in the mtn of wnc. In 16 inches of snow. 4 high with traction control on worked better for me than 4L and defiantly better than 4L with the rear locker active. With a little speed 14% grades were a walk in the park. Mud wheeling is a different matter the locker definitely helps but I haven't been anywhere too serious because I'm terrified of mucking up the intercooler...kinda wish I had gotten the 5.0 for that reason.

 

I have an extremely steep driveway and snow tires and when things are bad, the only way I can climb that thing is with the locker in. Great for getting unstuck as well!

 

I disagree with your assessment on the elocker. I have used it before in circumstances where just normal 4h/4L didnt cut it in the snow and the locker got me out.

 

+1

 

I agree with the OP. The e-locker isn't useful in normal or snowy road conditions. In fact on the ice and very slippery snow we often get in MI it can be worse. For me in situations where I need to accelerate from a stop letting the normal traction control work with 4wd gets me up to road speeds better than anything. I can understand in extreme situations where the very limited wheel spin allowed by the traction control can be a detriment. Although, on ice it allows more of a corkscrew motion which can hinder control.

My other concern with the e-locker is the speed based de-activation. On my commute I often take back roads to avoid the inevitable traffic jam from the bad weather. I drive over the deactivation speed over and over again. I'm not convinced that leaving the locker to engage over and over again, sometimes under load and slip, is good for it.

FWIW I also tried advanced trac mode in the slippery stuff. It was also not as good as the traction control when the roads were really slippery. It is more fun though.

 

Not generally advisable to use the locker on snow covered roads, it can be worse than an open diff (form what I've read, it has something to do with the crown of the roads). Might be useful if you're stuck though.

FWIW, I've never needed more than 4wd. Supposedly we're in the middle of a 'blizzard' up here today. My commute went just fine with 4wd (still not impressed with the Hankook tires though).

 

One of the challenges with the internets is understanding the meaning and intent behind written words.

OP says not to use e-locker on roadways, but ok on a trail.

Respondents say it works great on steep driveways.

I agree with both. You should not be using the e-locker to drive around town. You should use it if you are stuck while driving around town (assuming 4x4 doesn't get you out). I have used it in crossing a busy high speed road from a stop sign while sitting in a foot of snow.

In short, the E-Locker is not designed for you to make turns, which is what you do while driving around town, or on the highway when it curves.

 

I find my truck just plain sucks in the snow, with a light dusting-2" the drivers rear looses traction alot....not impressed, i put about 700 lbs in the back and yes it helped but........
I don"t use the locker unless i'm about to be or stuck...usually just use 4x4 to get going.

 

If you're using the stock Hankook Dynapro's, that would be why. They suck in cold weather, a lot, I can't even begin to describe how bad they are. I got winter tires and it's a million times better.

 

How are your tires? I am not impressed with the Hankooks that came on my truck. Friday and Saturday had me ready to go get new tires just to get rid of them...but they were ok (not great) on my drive in today and there was a lot more snow on the roads this morning than friday or saturday.

My wife took the truck yesterday morning and said she thought it was more that the roads were really slick than the tires being horrible.