2WD 3500 DRW - Any Good in Snow?

[boonsur]

I think the answer may be obvious, but $3,000 savings is really tempting. Other advantages are more reliability (less parts to break), better handling (steering), and lower center of gravity (fifth-wheel). With that much money "in-my-pocket", I could buy really nice snow tires (with BFG's on my 2500, I hardly ever used 4WD, except when goofing off). Will enough weight help get it through the deep stuff?



Anybody have experiences to tell?



Also, how does re-sale compare, especially in snowy areas?

 

[FATCAT]

Look at it this way. All it takes is one accident in a snow storm when you go out of control and that $3000 difference becomes insignificant, especially is someone gets hurt and you know if you had 4 wheel drive you could have avoided the situation.

For me, 4 wheel drive is not only needed in the winter, but also in the summer when I go into the woods to get wood with my trailer. Muddy trails and loose gravel with 7-8K in the trailer demands 4 wheel drive to get you out of the forest.

 

[lgibson]

I lived in Alaska for a while, and unless you are going thru deep snow two wheel drive is fine. Most "snow birds", people sitting in the snowbank beside the road, are 4 wheel drives. It depends on how you drive. A good set of snow tires will help greatly. Also on the 3500, you can take off one set of rear tires and that helps on 4x4's in deep snow or mud too. So it is you choice, and remember 4x4 has a higher resell value so you will get your $3,000 back when you sell. Drive both and see what fits your needs, like how often are you going to be driving in snow?

 

[klenger]

I've wondered about 2WD also for a 5er puller. If I was to replace my 01. 5 4WD 2500, I think I would consider a 2WD. I really like the lower truck height and increased load capacity because of lower curb weight. The $$$ savings would be nice also. There is no doubt that 4WD is really nice when we get 12-18" of partly cloudy on the ground, but that only happens about once a year. I wonder if I'd be better off with a 2WD truck and maybe a small 4WD SUV or Dakota for the wife. On the other hand I wouldn't want to even think about towing a 5er over the passes with a 2WD with snow on the ground. One thing I am absolutly certain of, the next one will be a 6 speed.

 

[Papa Joe]

Been there done that. 2WD Dually is worthless in the snow. You'll be chasing your butt. Joe



PS If you must... ... ... . carry chains, run four tires only (outers in the rear), ballast the bed with 800-1000 pounds, run walnut shell studded tires all around, drive slower, cross your fingers

 

[Adam_Dodgezilla]

4x4 All the way!!

You'll make your money back with the resale value alone! Price a 2000 2x4 and them a 4x4! It's worth the money the first time your in the snow, and camping and launching a boat!!

 

[RustyJC]

I drove our V-10 automatic 3500 4x2 with 3. 54 rear axle (no LS) for one winter in central Ohio before we moved back to Texas. I had the bed ballasted with about 800 lbs of plastic-bagged sand and managed to get through some pretty steep terrain covered with snow and ice without sticking or wrecking it. Now that we live in the Texas Gulf coast area, snow and ice isn't much of an issue.



As far as towing is concerned, we've towed 5vers with 4x2 3500's since 1996 and haven't stuck one yet. Take a look at my signature for our latest 5ver dragger. Ya pays yore money and ya takes yore choice, I suppose.



Rusty

 

[Okie-Go]

I have a 2wd. I plan on getting a couple of extra wheels and some bfg mud tires for the winter. With the locker in the rear I think I will be just fine. I use it at the deer lease and on country roads. I had 4wd in the past but most of the time the 2wd is all I need. I am sure there will come a time when I say dang, wish I had 4 wd.

 

[QRTRHRS]

4x4 or not, you need a lot of weight on a 3500 in the winter. If you don't have steep hills to worry about and snowfall amounts are minimal, 2x4 with weight and chains for the worst days will get you by.



Around my neck of the woods, beyond six inches or so of snow the roads are shut down with SUV's and front wheel drive cars with all season radials jamming everything up.



What kind of campgrounds do you frequent? It can be a little embarrassing to have your neighbor come over to yank you out of the sand or whatever.

 

[KennyM]

My 3500 is two wheel drive. I only had one snow storm to drive in last winter, and had no traction issues at all. Twice in this storm I had to stop and start on a pretty steep grade. I started in second with almost no spin, and this was in about five inches of semi packed powder.



Ken

 

[GSchlegel]

Just my $. 02.

I have a '96' 3500 with 190,000 miles on it. I put the last 170,000 miles as an outside industrial salesman covering Nebraska all year round. Any of you that travel I-80 in the winter know what our winters are like. I have never gotten stuck (so far) with this truck. I do put a little over 1,600 lbs. of sand bags in the truck bed just forward of the rear axel in October or November of each year. There is also another 1 - 200 lbs. of tool box, log chain, etc. in the bed.

As an example, last year we took a trip to Yellowstone in the middle of October. Prior to our leaving I loaded about a 1,000 lbs. of sand as well as all the other vacation stuff. I-80 in mid Wyoming was shut down (ended up being shutdown for several days) and hundreds of semies, etc. were stranded. We ran some back roads, dropped down into Colorado, crossed the continental devide, and made it to the western part of Wyoming that evening.

With decent tires and common sense, a two wheel drive 3500 works for us. I also like the better mileage. If you want to "off road", then a 4x4 is the only way.

Gene

 

[boonsur]

CHAINS

How easy are chains to apply, if I got into a jam?



They are not legal on Michigan roads, but they may help if I get off-road. Is it a job you can easily do in a snowbank?

 

[John Berger]

I don't see the need for 4x4 if you live in an area that has no hills or where snow is extremely rare. I got by in New Jersey in snow and ice in light rear wheel drive cars without much of a problem. There are places you just don't go in that kind of weather. I wouldn't mind owning a 4x4 under the right circumstances, but I've got all the truck I need for where I live.

 

[JAK]

How easy are chains to apply, if I got into a jam?

They are not legal on Michigan roads, but they may help if I get off-road. Is it a job you can easily do in a

snowbank?

I've never tried to apply chains in a snowbank but I can't imagine it would be easy. Especially if one side is way in there. I wouldn't count on being able to get them on if you're already stuck.

 

[Ramboy]

What is "snow"??

 

[QRTRHRS]

Re: CHAINS

Originally posted by boonsur

How easy are chains to apply, if I got into a jam?

I have these molded plastic blocks with slots that the chains fit into. Lay them out then back onto the blocks. Easy in the garage, not fun in the snow, especially if your hung up in a ditch or something. Chains have a cam latch on both sides. The back side is always fun especially on a dually. They aren't for everyone. I always carry coveralls and a small tarp to lay on in the winter just in case. In spite of the best installation efforts, chains can also come loose. Imagine your fender with a chain flailing around until you get stopped.



I happen to live where there are a lot of hills that quicky shut down with stuck vehicles. For me, chains can and have made the difference between sitting there all night with the rest of the sheep and going on my way.

 

[lgibson]

Hey Ramboy imagine all that cow$h!t cold, wet, and white and there you have it As the saying goes, "If God wanted Texans to ski, he would have made cow I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER white".

 

[Shovelhead]

The fire dept guys on base have a slick way to put on chains with dual rear wheels.

They made two small ramps out of wood, maybe 6-8" tall at the top, and 10-12" wide. place the ramps in front of the inner wheels, drive up, then place the chains on the outer wheel which is now 6-8" in the air.

If this works on a LARGE fire truck, it should be a piece-o-cake on a 3500.

 

[Max Wedge]

After wintering my 3500 4x6 last season--I wouldn't even consider the dually in 2wd mode unless you live in south Texas, then you better not get it off the Dry pavment. I drive a 600 hp drag car and this truck will get away from you in slick conditions 2wd quicker than my Super Stocker. Lot of wieght up front and none in the rear. Heck, just this afternoon the back end got squirley in the rain with the "EZ" box in 3rd gear



Duallys are cool

Max

 

[Utah Willie]

2 or 4WD

I have 4X4 on the '99 3500 and more than once, while backing in my Alfa 5er on gravel, I have spun the rear wheels (no lockers) and had to shift into 4WD for additional traction. A couple of times I could not move in either direction... read: STUCK! Without the 4WD, I would have had to make an embarrassing call to AAA or enlist a nearby 4X4 owner to pull me out. I would go for the 4X4 option as you also get the low range which is terrific for slow maneuvering in tight spots. The other great advantage of 4X4 is in boat launching. Several times in our two month boat tour of the western lakes we were backed onto sandy, mossy ramps and the 4WD pulled us out with no sweat. Otherwise it would be back to the AAA or the guy with the 4X4. Incidentally, a little hint on what to do when on a mossy ramp with 2WD... . If your boats' drive can be safely lowered, run the boat all the way up onto your trailer, tighten the winch and when driving out, have your partner use the boat engine to provide some extra push until you get moving, then quickly shut down the boat. Often, that is all that is needed to get out.