Just got VT's first good snow storm and about 8" fell in my local area. Being 30,000 miles on my Toyo's 315's, they are getting a little thin for wear. But truck ran great using 4wd for most of the day (around 100 miles or so) and even at true highway speeds around 70 - 75. Highway was not dry but pretty packed snow with patches of some wet/dry road. I only tested that speed for about 10 miles and didn't feel any vibration or anything. So much better then the older days on my 1st gen. That truck didn't like those speeds in 4wd.

 

You still should not run faster than 50mph or so in 4x4. Since these trucks are not all time or true 4 wheel drive - from what I understand these trucks do not distribute power equally to front and rear diffs.... besides that, if you are running 50mph and still "need" 4 wheel drive, it sounds to me like you just need to slow down.

 

The front and rear axles distribute power equally. Unlike "fulltime 4wd vehicles", there is no viscous coupling system to handle the load difference between the axles in the turns and to distribute power electronically between the two axles based on terrain, traction etc. . It is a mechanical system. There is no truer 4wd system than a transfer case and two live axles IMO. You are right that they are not fulltime 4wd. The manual states that 4hi should not be used above 50mph. I agree when the conditions warrant it, but you can run over 50mph without mechanical issues.

 

This is my first winter with the Dodge but in my old 96 PSD I put it in 4WD in Oct / Nov and pretty much leave there until spring other than indoor parking etc... never had a problem. We do have a lot of snow and ice here ( Saskatchewan )... BP.

 

today i was in and out of 4wd at 70+ mph. i drove about 150 miles in and out of 4wd. did i need 4wd at 70+mph, not all the time, but crest a hill and have a drifted snowy road infront of you all the sudden, its better to have it in 4wd and not need it then to need it and not have it. i demand a lot from a truck, being able to do what i want when i want is one of them.

 

I drove from Columbus, OH to Winston-Salem, NC a few years back in 4wd. It was snowing pretty heavy the whole way. It was a actually a nice drive - hardly any other traffic on the roads!

 

I know this is a little off the main point here... but I use this in the back of my truck in the winter here in Oregon. Seems to make a difference with the light weight rear end. I have come down off the mountains several times and had the rear end of the truck come around on me while on ice in 4x4. This seems to make the back end more sure footed.


http://www.shurtrax.com/full.asp


.

 

I think i've seen that before. Real good idea but wouldn't that freeze and pop the bag?

Just to jump back on topic here. Some people are saying that you can't run the truck over a certin mph. Don't some guys race the 1/4 mile in 4x4 at over 110+ mph?

 

We run all our 4x4's in 4WD when its slick. Shift in and out at any speed (not hi to lo obviously). We just shove in the clutch or pop it into neutral to unload the drivetrain and shift. Compare the strain of off road with wheels spinning and grabbing and its not unreasonable. As long as the wheels can lose their axle to axle traction in some snow or ice there should be no problem. Never had a break and we have 232,000km on the GMC and 130,000km or our 03 Dodge. I'll take safety over a bit of wear on the TC.

Same as my Saskatchewan neighbour, we get lots of snow and ice along with clear dry road turning to black ice or snow packed in the shaded areas.

Cya

 

The only thing not engaged all the time in these trucks is the transfer case. Around here when it snows I drive in 4hi all the time, in town and highway, same as everyone else in WY with a 4wd pickup, which is most everyone.