Hows does your 2wd CTD handle in the snow?

[hobigusn]

I'm moving from warm and sunny California to Michigan. How does a 2wd CTD handle in the snow. The roads are plowed pretty quickly so i would have to drive in 3-4 inches at the most. I drive a gasser now but will soon have a CTD. I would like a 2wd because it is lower to the gorund and gets better gas mileage. Any info or personal experiances would be helpful.

 

[AH64ID]

I have a 4wd, but when I use 2wd in the snow it's not that great. . Too much weight up front, not enough out back and too much tq.

 

[S.Morris]

Its the 3-4" that will stop you/rather not allow you to start..... Like above post says... ... to much weight up front and too little in back with too much torque. If you can carry about 800 lbs it will help a lot and if you can get her moving from a stop you will be fine, providing you use your head.

 

[Scooby]

Its true - the weight distribution on a CTD is even more exaggerated due to the heavy weight of the engine (heavier than a gasser).



I've seen beautiful 2wd duallies get stuck on wet grass after a graduation ceremony I attended!

 

[Grizzly]

You'll bury the front end of that truck with the weight of the Cummins as everyone else has said. In Michigan, you'll need 4WD.



I've buried the front end of my truck in that much snow and had to use my 4WD to get out.

 

[V10nacuda]

Had 2wd trucks all my life..... 440 & V10 dodges... you just put weight in the bed & drive smartly..... if the roads get that bad u shouldn't be on them... ... . Erie PA winters are close to what MI gets

 

[MChrist]

Buy Blizzaks and put 600-800#s in the back. It's astonishing what true, dedicated snow tires will do for you. I have 4WD, and rarely used it this winter, which was one of the worst for snow on record. I could have gone all winter without using 4WD, but since I have it...
BTW, my Blizzaks on new, aluminum wheels, mounted/balanced and shipped to my door cost right around $1300. So now I have kick butt snow tires for winter, and kick butt tires (Nitto Dura Grapplers) for the rest of the year. Looks like I'll get at least 5 winters out of the Blizzaks.

 

[Bernie]

Had 2wd trucks all my life..... 440 & V10 dodges... you just put weight in the bed & drive smartly..... Erie PA winters are close to what MI gets

I second that.



I drive 99% of my time in 2WD. The secret to good snow performance is Tires. Get some good snow tires and you will be surprised.



I would look in to Nokian Hakkapeliitta Tyres. Funny name, but great performance. They are from Finland, and they know a thing or two about snow.



Also had good luck with General Artic Altimax tires. They are a "knock off" of the Hakkapelitta Tyres that work well and are cheaper.



I would get them studded as well.



I drove RWD sports cars for years in the snow with no problems. I also drove a company Ford F250 with those tires and no weight (other than my cap) all over the great lakes area all winter. I never once put it in 4x4. I wasn't going to get out of the cab! It was snowing!



And, honesty, Erie winters are worse than Michigan! I used to live just north or Erie and we got some of the worse lake effect snow I have seen, including what Michigan gets.

 

[Bernie]

Buy Blizzaks and put 600-800#s in the back. It's astonishing what true, dedicated snow tires will do for you.

I agree and disagree. I have had the Blizzacks and they are OK. The problem is the "grippy" tread they are made out of wears off quickly and you are left with only OK performance.

Also, 600-800 lbs is WAY too much. I understand it is nice to have great grip when you want to go, but you need to stop that weight! Put in 300 lbs and learn good driving habits when leaving the line.

And for those that think they need that much weight I would just add I have NEVER added any weight to my trucks (both Gas or Diesel). They have all had Caps, which weight about 200 lbs (I guess).

 

[AHolt]

Live in upstate NY, lots of snow.

I have never been stuck in snow with my 2wd

snow tires and weight in the back, been in 2 ft snow

no problems. I have been stuck on mowed lawn

after rain storm.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Recently move to MT from CA I have a 2WD and have had no problems. I think the key is not to suffer from CRAINELRECTOSIS (HEAD UP YOUR A** SYNDROME) I just put 4 sand bags in the back and drove.

 

[AH64ID]

To get the weight were it will really do good you need to be about 50:50 on weight, so on my QCLB truck I would have to add at least 1500 lbs to the bed, now that's 1500 lbs more to start/stop/steer. In fact modern "experts" advise against any weight in vehicles, they simply state to run the correct tires, so you don't have to stop/steer the extra weight.

Snow isn't the killer, it actually has good traction for the most part. It's resistance from deep snow and ice that are hard to drive on.

 

[BIGNASTY]

The idea of the sand was two fold 1 was the weight and 2 was that when in snowed parking lots if I do get stuck pull out the sand throw under the tires and drive away. I dont have any snow tires just Michelin ATX AT2 its not that bad. It could be worse like Martin SD out there your just S*** out of luck at times 2wd or 4wd. Not to down the modern experts but they aint drivin my truck Iam

 

[AH64ID]

At least they weren't the stock LTX's, there may be a worse tire in the winter. . but I haven't ever seen it!

 

[firefighter_2000]

Chains...

We have snow at most three times a year in Arkansas. Im with the original poster on the 2wd truck. Better milage, and sits a bit lower to the ground. Both of my trucks (99 quad cab & 2006 mega cab) are 2wd. I have a set of chains for the 99 and a set of Z cables for the mega cab. I've never been stuck or unable to get around (even on ice) in either truck. The chains and cables both run around a hundred bucks (if you shop around), and are mega cheap compared to the cost of snow tires, or the 4wd upgrade.

Craig

 

[PatrickHansen]

I run the stock tires and I get by in Wisconsin winters. 2WD most of the time; I use 4WD when I begin to have difficulty moving. I drive prudently for the conditions. Oh, I don't throw any extra weight into the bed, either. More weight just makes handling in slippery conditions worse.

 

[Grizzly]

Had 2wd trucks all my life..... 440 & V10 dodges... you just put weight in the bed & drive smartly..... if the roads get that bad u shouldn't be on them... ... . Erie PA winters are close to what MI gets

I have a lot of respect for a 440. I have no experience with a V-10, but they don't have near the weight of a Cummins.

 

[LBARTLETT]

At least they weren't the stock LTX's, there may be a worse tire in the winter. . but I haven't ever seen it!

Firestone Transforce HT's

 

[Bernie]

More weight just makes handling in slippery conditions worse.

Agreed. I posted earlier with some concerns that people were suggesting put 800 lbs in the bed. You have to turn and stop that mass, and all it gains you is some easy at pulling away from a dead stop.

 

[MChrist]

I'll stick with my 600 ish pounds in the bed. I like to feel unstoppable in the winter. Also, it's fun to pull out people that are buried in the ditch without spinning a tire OR giving it any throttle while in 4LO.