New to 4x4, is it supposed to do this?

[SnoKing]

I think our truck will get Michelin Defender LTX M&S when the F/S AT's are done. SNOKNG

 

[mwilson]

I can't find the photos now but I looked at a 3500 ambulance last year that broke the transfer case in half after they ran it on pavement down the highway. It did $20,000 in damage before it was all over.
They tried to sue FCA but lost when they interviewed the driver and he admitted it was in 4x4 when it came apart.

I'll guarantee that the 1 ton was giving that driver all kinds of warning too. He is probably real good at saving lives but is just a basic steering wheel holder....

 

[Newsa]

Personally, the Transforce AT M+S tires suck in the snow and are terrible on ice!

Im going in today to put a set of true winter tires on my new truck. There's another $1K out of the wallet!
Only thing good about that, aside from the added traction I'll get is our fleet tire shop gave me $400 off the set.

Probably true. Don't ever get the Transforce HT's they can't even handle wet roads

 

[Dogpatch]

I bought a set of OEM 20" Rims (Same as on my 2015 Laramie) from a guy for $500. They are brand new! And I'm getting a set of WinterClaw tires put on it today. This is the tread and siping pattern.

 

[AH64ID]

That's a good looking tire. I wonder how the low profile tire will compare to a similar sized 17 or 18" wheel.

 

[Dogpatch]

Actually they are an Artic Claw XSI LT275/65R20 Load Range E. They are replacing my Transforce AT LT285/60R20's for the winter.
They are a premium stud-able tire. Most reviews I've read on them, the guys said they acted so well on ice that they didn't bother studding them.

 

[AH64ID]

Actually they are an Artic Claw XSI LT275/65R20 Load Range E. They are replacing my Transforce AT LT285/60R20's for the winter.
They are a premium stud-able tire. Most reviews I've read on them, the guys said they acted so well on ice that they didn't bother studding them.

Not as low profile as I figured.

I have been running studless snow tires on my car for years and have been very impressed.

 

[Ramtuf1]

I agree with mpaulson. Being from Upstate New York, my rule of thumb is never buy a 2 wheel drive pickup. The diesel engine is so heavy on the front axle along with the weight of the Crew cab format, there is very little weight on the drive wheels and it is very easy to break traction. I do not consider wet roads a reason to use the 4 wheel drive. However, when even the slightest amount of snow is on the ground, I really assess the situation. When going around corners or starting from a stopped condition, the rear of the truck can fish tail with very little effort. My new truck does cut power to the engine in the traction control function. I always engage the 4 wheel drive when feeling that fish tailing condition. It also helps to improve breaking in that all of the wheels are driven (even with ABS) and I get better stopping.

Just my thoughts.....

 

[spoon059]

I determined a long time ago.....if conditions require (or might require) 4wd, I better not be driving over 60-ish....and that's pushing it.

My thoughts exactly. I think there is probably a speed limit for switching into or out of 4WD, or at least there was on my other 4WD trucks. You can go as fast as you want in 4WD, but if I feel I need 4WD, I probably don't need to be going that fast. Your results may vary...

 

[mpaulson]

OH Yea, I forgot to mention that I also bolt in a piece of 2" thick steel plate 4' x 4' along with the 12" channel frame that makes it connect to my quad deck mounts. It weighs 1,700# which helps alot for rear end traction. This along with tools, 235 litres of fuel etc. I can be just above 2,000#. I don't take winter driving lightly, I like being properly equipped and it makes it more fun.

 

[seafish]

The diesel engine is so heavy on the front axle along with the weight of the Crew cab format, there is very little weight on the drive wheels and it is very easy to break traction. ... However, when even the slightest amount of snow is on the ground, I really assess the situation. When going around corners or starting from a stopped condition, the rear of the truck can fish tail with very little effort.

Just my thoughts.....

Put 300 to 600 pound of sandbags right between the wheel wells in the back of your truck, and you will have all the additional traction and control that you need…they don;t take up a lot of room and you can reuse them very winter if you have a place to store them. Just my .02

 

[Ozymandias]

I'll guarantee that the 1 ton was giving that driver all kinds of warning too. He is probably real good at saving lives but is just a basic steering wheel holder....

Absolutely and for sure a standard pickup is in no way comparable to a fully loaded ambulance with 7000lbs on the rear axle, tires will have a hard time to spin. So there will be a different way the force goes - it breaks something else instead of tire traction.

 

[BigPapa]

you can reuse them very winter if you have a place to store them.

Also need to keep them covered while in the truck. I have found that sun light breaks down the material the bags are made of and causes them to tear open. I have had the same 10 bags for 12 years now but they are covered in the truck and I keep them inside my shed.

 

[mpaulson]

Also need to keep them covered while in the truck. I have found that sun light breaks down the material the bags are made of and causes them to tear open. I have had the same 10 bags for 12 years now but they are covered in the truck and I keep them inside my shed.

They also need to be secured. They turn to a solid block like concrete and in the event of an accident, they could/will be flying around and possibly through your back window into the cab at you or passengers, or out of the box at someone else.

 

[dfb]

Rain does generally not decrease the traction enough to allow for use of 4wd on the pavement, and continued use will cause damage to the drivetrain.

Try reducing the tire pressure in your rear tires to the amount required for the load, and less throttle. I run a bit more power and a lot less torque management and if my tire pressure is proper wet traction is not an issue.

We had a 1995 ford psd. While in Las Vegas, the rain came down. Every time I took off from a light the rear tires would spin. Maybe from oil coming up off road? Had to go 4x4...

 

[Newsa]

We had a 1995 ford psd. While in Las Vegas, the rain came down. Every time I took off from a light the rear tires would spin. Maybe from oil coming up off road? Had to go 4x4...

Depends on alot of things. Tire quality, water depth, sometimes road angle and road surface & load. If you're losing traction. 4x4 won't hurt anything

 

[kthaxton]

More torque management!

 

[dfb]

More torque management!

You mean like turn off the motor>??? because dem diesels have torquage right from the get go...

 

[AH64ID]

You mean like turn off the motor>??? because dem diesels have torquage right from the get go...

No he is talking about how the computer controls/limits the torque at low speeds to improve traction and drivetrain life. You are not getting anywhere close to 865 lb/ft right from the get go on your new truck, or likely even at all in the bottom 3 gears.

Suspension also plays a huge role in traction.

Between my tuning, torque management, suspension, and tires I have a VERY difficult time spinning tires with over 800 lb/ft to the ground (about 480/1000 at the crank). I have to really really try even on wet roads, but that's how I like it.

 

[dfb]

No he is talking about how the computer controls/limits the torque at low speeds to improve traction and drivetrain life. You are not getting anywhere close to 865 lb/ft right from the get go on your new truck, or likely even at all in the bottom 3 gears.

Suspension also plays a huge role in traction.

Between my tuning, torque management, suspension, and tires I have a VERY difficult time spinning tires with over 800 lb/ft to the ground (about 480/1000 at the crank). I have to really really try even on wet roads, but that's how I like it.

This comment was about a 95 ford psd in the rain in Las Vegas. It was like being on ice. Note, this was most likely due to oil coming up on the road.