2wd Truck In Manitoba?

VMax2007 · February 14, 2009

True, but 4WD does help maintain traction and control all the time, not just getting going. But obviously it has it's limits in slick conditions. Unfortunately many people do not realize that.

Considering the high percentage of idiots in the general public, I'd bet tow truck operators are busy during the ice season up there. Luckily we don't get ice. The drivers here are word class idiots! I last drove in really icy conditions back in 1984. Since then about 12 hours of occasionally iced over bridges is all we have ever had to contend with. That must seem like another planet to you guys.

Commuting in it sucks, but otherwise driving in wintery conditions is a blast! You don't know what your missing Jim. WooHoo!!!

Zembonez · February 14, 2009

True, but 4WD does help maintain traction and control all the time, not just getting going. But obviously it has it's limits in slick conditions. Unfortunately many people do not realize that.

Considering the high percentage of idiots in the general public, I'd bet tow truck operators are busy during the ice season up there. Luckily we don't get ice. The drivers here are word class idiots! I last drove in really icy conditions back in 1984. Since then about 12 hours of occasionally iced over bridges is all we have ever had to contend with. That must seem like another planet to you guys.

Commuting in it sucks, but otherwise driving in wintery conditions is a blast! You don't know what your missing Jim. WooHoo!!!

Do doubt that sounds like fun. I'm sure I would love it. You should come down here and try 100 mph across uncharted desert terrain at night (that will make you say Woo Hoo)... or driving 50 miles down Padre Island on the beach 4WD only). Very cool times!

swiller · April 29, 2009

Whereabouts in Manitoba are you moving to? I've been just about everywhere you can drive, and some places that you can't! It all depends where you live. If you're gonna end up commuting on rural roads, I would go with the 4x4, there's so many roads that can get pretty might miserable before they ever get plowed. Although when I owned my 2wd sierra, I lived in Northern Manitoba, and as long as you have a decent amount of weight in the back you were fine.

It's all about how you drive, with a 2wd you tend to be more cautious, and unfortunately with most people when they get a 4wd they loose that, and it's replaced with a god complex and figure they are invincible! Probally see just as many people with 4wd's in the ditch as you do 2wd's, once the snows deep enough to keep em there.

sidi · February 12, 2011

Whereabouts in Manitoba are you moving to? I've been just about everywhere you can drive, and some places that you can't! It all depends where you live. If you're gonna end up commuting on rural roads, I would go with the 4x4, there's so many roads that can get pretty might miserable before they ever get plowed. Although when I owned my 2wd sierra, I lived in Northern Manitoba, and as long as you have a decent amount of weight in the back you were fine.

It's all about how you drive, with a 2wd you tend to be more cautious, and unfortunately with most people when they get a 4wd they loose that, and it's replaced with a god complex and figure they are invincible! Probally see just as many people with 4wd's in the ditch as you do 2wd's, once the snows deep enough to keep em there.

4WD gives you a false sense of the road surface until you need to brake. Resale could be better with 4X4 if you change vehicles often. Otherwise, save some cash and put good snow/ice tires on a 2WD with G80(locking differential?).

I've owned both and was happiest w/2WD and manual tranny for bad weather driving. SF.

KMGZ400 · February 12, 2011

since your looking at GMT800's, just get a 4x4. its very easy to use.

randas · February 12, 2011

Manitoban here, don't even think about the 2wd

My dad has a 2wd truck and after some winter storms he cant even make it off our driveway.

It hasn't been too bad this year so if you've only been here 3 months don't use this year to judge.

A couple years ago we got a solid foot of snow overnight. I was the first to leave in the morning and I made it out fine with a fricken ford festiva. My dad in his 2wd truck? Only made it halfway to the road

I think the amount of weight you have to keep in the box in the winter for traction kills any MPG savings you get with the 2wd

KMGZ400 · February 12, 2011

and a 2WD gets what? maybe 1MPG better if that?

stefman722 · February 20, 2011

I'd definitely recommend a 4x4 for convenience. I only engage it in 4x4 after a snowfall, apart from that my truck is always in 2WD. With a good set of tires, weight in the back and smart driving you'll be fine with a 2x4. I live in Rural Manitoba, take it from me.

FarmerDave · February 24, 2011

Considering the high percentage of idiots in the general public, I'd bet tow truck operators are busy during the ice season up there. Luckily we don't get ice. The drivers here are word class idiots! I last drove in really icy conditions back in 1984. Since then about 12 hours of occasionally iced over bridges is all we have ever had to contend with. That must seem like another planet to you guys.

I pulled out a stuck flat bed tow truck with a smashed up dakota on the back the other day with a tractor.....

And living in Ontario, id never buy any truck that isnt 4x4.

Plus 4x4s hold their resale much better than 2WD's around here.

3birds · June 15, 2011

Last winter was the straw that broke the camel's back for our 4X2. My wife drives the truck and I drive a Sunfire (for distance to work reasons). I had to put chains on it twice last winter so she could get to work. One chain came partly off and she didn't stop, need I say more. The new truck is 4X4! The Sunfire will push snow and put Dodge 4X4's to shame. The only problem with it is that the radiator will plug with snow while it plows.

airbalancer · June 15, 2011

I am switching back to 2wd after 8 years in a 4wd, my trucks before that were 2 wd ( ten years worth)

It may of been in 4wd a dozen times over that time

A good set of snows are better then 4wd and all season tires

My trucks do have cap and are fully load all the time so I do not need to put extra weight in the back

I did put the money into a SLT model because of the 10 way power seats.

And I do keep my truck of 8 years so resale value does not matter

Slamcamel · January 22, 2012

Some people don't realize it, but 4x4 has nothing to do with slowing down. The only difference between the two is that four wheel will get you out of a snow drift far easier.

4x4 isn't needed unless you're going to be offroading or operating in offroad conditions. Most road surfaces that are reasonably maintained aren't considered "offroad conditions".

Morgan1986 · February 16, 2012

I have a 2wd truck . Been in bc and alberta for most of my life and a little bit of WA living . I have been in two times where i had to get a pull a 4wd truck would of prevented that . One time was going down a road started getting icy and dead end. Could not make it out . The other time i parked in calgary there was no snow at the time . stayed the night at a friends . Woke up foot of snow was parked parallel up a hill. Both those times i did not have a good pair of winter tires . Got blizzicks tiress and man they are awsome . I can stop on a hill with a foot of snow and climb it . I do have about 350 plus pounds of sand bags in the back but it works really well a proper pair of tires and stoping ability is great . Have not been stuck since have had the tires for 2 winters now. BUT my next truck will be 4x4 with a good set of winter tires and then the only thing that will stop me is my frame lol . A good set of winter tires is worth the money They help alot . A good example is there was this older chev 4x4 (1999) the guy could not afford good winter tires . He thought he should have some fun in the snow . he got stuck in a foot and half of snow on flat ground lol . I came with my 2wd truck with my tow strap and pulled him out . Point is even if you have 4x4 with crap tires your not going anywhere .