So still on the hunt for a 12v cummins. However instead of selling my 07 I'm considering maybe getting a cheaper 12v for use during winter and at school. There's a 97 ext Cab dually 5 speed 2wd that is for sale near by. the body has no rust, but the solenoid isn't working, it leaks some oil, and 3rd gear grinds a bit. For the price none of that would bother me at all. It has 185k miles which is the 3rd lowest I've ever seen around here. My question is would a 2wd dually be practical during the winter months? I've heard they are bad with traction but will a few hundred pounds over the axle help that out? Thanks everyone!

 

Its the weight of the front end that usually swamps them. Weight in the bed always helps, and chains on the front for steering and stopping when icy.

The problem with traction is you have the 7800 lbs spread over 6 places instead of 4, reducing your surface area exponentially...

 

1. If you aren't hauling much for loads, you can always take off the outside dual tires.

2. If you put 3 rail chains on duals, it's a beast, especially with a load.

Total area isn't the problem with duals and traction. With singles, the rear tires run in the track opened up by the fronts. With duals, the outside tires make new tracks. On ice there's no difference. With duals you can put tons in the box if you wish for traction.

 

^^Those are some good points.

 

Locking axle improves any 2wd.

 

My dually is pretty useless in snow without 4x4 engaged. No, a couple hundered pounds doesn't help much, but 1500 pounds will. 3 rail ice breaker chains work awesome.

IMHO I wouldn't consider a 2wd dually if I were looking for a winter rig.