pick up trucks and snow driving??'s

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mrbb

Well-known member
OK I have a TON of experience driving 3/4 ton trucks and like GAS motored vehicles in ALL types of BAD weather
I am in the market for a new truck and THINKING diesel this time
I am NOT looking for pro's and con's of motor vs motor, or values or???

WHAT I am asking is, those that have had BOTH
does the added weight in the front cause any DOWN sides in snow and ice?
its close to 800 lbs more give or take a little
I know gas trucks super well almost 40 yrs of snow driving under my belt and plowing snow and driving 40-50 thousand miles a yr in them across the usa and live in a snowy area all my life, and travel a LOT more in winter than summer.

SO< I was wondering if anyone feels there is more push in the front in turns or on windy roads due to the added weight
or in general what they feel worked better
a gas motored truck or a diesel one
and again NOT talking about hp or torque here
I know all that crap LOL and it gets a debates going
I drove a LOT of F350's with diesels in them, BUT few times in snow
were summer work trucks, crew cabs mostly 8 ft beds 4x4's

SO< anyone have any experience they would share?
 
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Modman440

New member
Driven both my whole life and honestly in my opinion I don't have any issues with either the added weight has never been a real issue I mean really if your driving and the weather is bad your going slow and the added weight up front helps the tires grip just my .02

MOD
 
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sweeperguy

Active member
I drive a F 250 diesel plow truck at work, and a gas 1/2 ton Ford, as my personal vehicle. I think the extra weight up front pulls through snow better, especially like the windrows from the street plows. My truck gets around fine but the work truck is nicer to drive during weather events. More often than not I have a fair amount of weight in the bed, transfer tank full of fuel, 10 to 20 bags of salt. So that added weight in the bed probably balances out the weight distribution.
 
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chunk06

Active member
I've had a few pucker factor incidents with my old diesel's when the rear end broke loose going down the interstate in the winter, seams like that happens to any of the HD trucks with limited slip, no traction control, with no weight in the bed. Just seamed like the Cummins trucks I had did it worse. The added weight does seam to help driving around in snow storms/drifts little weight in the back with all that front weight makes your tires bite good. Been looking at new HD trucks myself, can not figure out what GM was thinking with their DEF tank location???
 
srt20

srt20

Active member
I have had both for a long time.

In deep snow 12"+, off-road or unplowed roads, I find the diesel front weight digs better. The front sinks and finds something the bite into. Not a huge deal, but I have surprised myself a few times. The truck kept going when I figured I had gotten to the end of the line.
The diesel has a limited slip rear gear, and the tune I run is 100hp added. The rear will kick out sideways pretty easily on slippery surfaces. Mainly leaving stop signs and stuff. I run tire that are good in snow and it's not a big deal, but I'm used to it. If the roads are crap and I'm running down the highway, a lot of times I just put it in 4wd and go. Never had any issue with pushing in turns from extra weight.

Its not much different than a gasser, especially with stock HP.
 
M

mrbb

Well-known member
thanks guys I agree with most of all you's have said

I have a dodge 2500 now, quad cab long bed, V8 hemi(5.7)
and 4.10 rears limited slip and 33 inch tires
and it has struggled to pull out in snow at stop signs and such , as lack of weight in back over front AS IS
so, it got mt to really doing some thinking about a diesel in a same truck and how much heavier the front end would be
I Have to think its worse
BUT wasn't really sure on the front end PUSH as in corners in snow
I get the rear traction side of the diesel , as in pulling out, or on a hill
but steering in snow makes me wonder
I am sure its NOT a BIG difference
but , I like to learn as much as I can from folks that own what I am thinking of buying before buying WHEN I can.
thus why O asked here, as I figure a bunch of sledders would have a few diesel trucks and well, sledder's tend to drive in snow a lot more than some other types of truck owners
I know I been shed guy since the 80's and hard core off road'guy, with many built up trucks and pure off road toys
so, I have a LOT fo experience in snow, mud, rocks hills and then all that plain old paved road stuff LOL

so appreciate the feed back and opinions

fel free to add any more you's have

as by end of yr if things stay like they are I will be buying a new truck of either a gas or diesel

once I make my mind up that is, HAHA!
 
A

ac600sp

New member
I drive a silverado 2500hd diesel, I think it's the best having the extra weight of the Diesel engine on the front. It helps with stopping, turning and pulling through the slippery snow and icy winters here in Minnesota and the many trips to the U.P. Sledding. I'd do the diesel over the gas, just my opinion.
 
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Modman440

New member
Diesel all day but I agree it is all about the tires and weight my powerstroke did very well in all snow conditions from unplowed mtn road to snow in da yoop.

MOD
 
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snobuilder

Well-known member
I know diesels serve a purpose and there type a down low power is needed in heavy hauling situations.
But that type a power comes at a hefty cost well beyond initial cost of being an aprox. + $10,000 engine option from what I see.

Been looking for an older 2500 series truck and can't help but see that many diesels being offered have had some pricey repairs and I guess maintenance costs done way prior to 200k miles and usually between 150 and 170k miles.
Also seeing gas engines like the the GM 6.0 L with 200 to 300k miles with no major repairs.
Back before everyone started thinking they need a diesel to haul couple sleds around and fuel demand was low, the cost diff from gas to diesel were almost enough to justify the added cost of the engine.....not anymore....nowadays diesel is rarely less than gas .
So unless you need to haul over 10,000 pounds around on a regular basis, I'd recommend a large Cu.In. gasser.....pretty sure the weight of a gasser will provide enough traction up front.....seems to me that around here, most pick up truck owners add winter weight to the bed of a truck. ....of course maybe they have sand bags tucked under the hood as well....IDK.
 
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snobuilder

Well-known member
srt20 said:
Apparently snoblunder didn't read the OP.
Click to expand...
This tsOP has been out for 3 days....plenty a time for answers....the OP even thanked everyone and asked for further input.... and I addressed the weight question from the angle that those with diesels say that extra weight helps the truck handle better in some cond.
Stop causing trouble, srt20.:p
 
srt20

srt20

Active member
snobuilder said:
This tsOP has been out for 3 days....plenty a time for answers....the OP even thanked everyone and asked for further input.... and I addressed the weight question from the angle that those with diesels say that extra weight helps the truck handle better in some cond.
Stop causing trouble, srt20.:p
Click to expand...
"Stop causing trouble" is classic coming from you.

You get on tangents about our freedoms being taken away. About how we should have choices, etc.
But then you advise its not worth owning a diesel. Who cares what he wants. It's his money. Just like you preach in other threads, it's his choice.

Cheesus, you sound like Sharpeton or Obama.
 
M

mrbb

Well-known member
well guys don't get your panties in a bunch here LOL
we all have opinions and its OK to share them if you ask me!

I have owned a LOT of gasser's
and even if gas is cheaper than diesel fuel
where I live, and tend to travel to
even a LIGHT trailer/load, will suck down gas at an alarming rate
talking like 5-8 mpg if that
drive a few thousand miles a yr towing, and that adds up in today's HIGH gas world

so, like many yrs back the difference between fuels wasn't so bad, and for many that cheated some and ran off road diesel LOL
the motor costs were not that big to swallow

its sad if you ask me what trucks cost today, out right crazy, for a darn pick up truck what price tags are
60-70k on the top line loaded with crap items few really need??

but its the way of the world
driving skills can make or berak a lot of driving in snow, in any vehicle

I was just looking for folks that went from one LIKE truck in a gas to a diesel or, other way
what they felt was the difference in DRIVING< NOT HP or torque or towing ability
BUT YES power has to do with how it handles driving
as a gas motor that has to jump from 2500 to 5000 rpm to get over a hill with snow on it can loose traction
as can a nose heavy truck pushing/pulling or breaking trail with a load on, or being empty can

we all spend our own money,(or I THINK most do) and can buy what WE like
But opinions ,
can some time help, or hurt,
pending what one's YOU choose to believe, or not.
and the more you get, SOMETIMES< a pattern forms and it helps you decide better

and that is why forums are popular I think
they help a lot more than they hurt
I tend to NOT get into pissing matches over words ona screen
life is too short folks LOL

just sift out material you don't agree with, or reply and say what YOU want
its what a forum is all about!

again thanks for all the input, feed back opinions\
there honestly appreciated
and if anyone else has some more to add, feel free to

will be out shopping this week, and who know;s what I will get
learning towards a diesel right now
but a gasser at a price I cannot say NO to is still in the running LOL
had that happen before, went to buy a diesel, and dealer dropped 15k off the sticker of a gasser
and well, I bought it, was happy
BUT wasn't what I went to buy
some times that happens too LOL
 
C

chunk06

Active member
mrbb said:
well guys don't get your panties in a bunch here LOL
we all have opinions and its OK to share them if you ask me!

I have owned a LOT of gasser's
and even if gas is cheaper than diesel fuel
where I live, and tend to travel to
even a LIGHT trailer/load, will suck down gas at an alarming rate
talking like 5-8 mpg if that
drive a few thousand miles a yr towing, and that adds up in today's HIGH gas world

so, like many yrs back the difference between fuels wasn't so bad, and for many that cheated some and ran off road diesel LOL
the motor costs were not that big to swallow

its sad if you ask me what trucks cost today, out right crazy, for a darn pick up truck what price tags are
60-70k on the top line loaded with crap items few really need??

but its the way of the world
driving skills can make or berak a lot of driving in snow, in any vehicle

I was just looking for folks that went from one LIKE truck in a gas to a diesel or, other way
what they felt was the difference in DRIVING< NOT HP or torque or towing ability
BUT YES power has to do with how it handles driving
as a gas motor that has to jump from 2500 to 5000 rpm to get over a hill with snow on it can loose traction
as can a nose heavy truck pushing/pulling or breaking trail with a load on, or being empty can

we all spend our own money,(or I THINK most do) and can buy what WE like
But opinions ,
can some time help, or hurt,
pending what one's YOU choose to believe, or not.
and the more you get, SOMETIMES< a pattern forms and it helps you decide better

and that is why forums are popular I think
they help a lot more than they hurt
I tend to NOT get into pissing matches over words ona screen
life is too short folks LOL

just sift out material you don't agree with, or reply and say what YOU want
its what a forum is all about!

again thanks for all the input, feed back opinions\
there honestly appreciated
and if anyone else has some more to add, feel free to

will be out shopping this week, and who know;s what I will get
learning towards a diesel right now
but a gasser at a price I cannot say NO to is still in the running LOL
had that happen before, went to buy a diesel, and dealer dropped 15k off the sticker of a gasser
and well, I bought it, was happy
BUT wasn't what I went to buy
some times that happens too LOL
Click to expand...

Good luck shopping. My father and I are both shopping new and are having a hard time finding heavily discounted trucks (even 15's) like in the past this time of year. Sales are high and the salesmen know it! I think there's going to be a bubble one of these day's they just can't keep raising prices every year at the rat they're doing. My 2012 F150, same package truck the MSRP is up 7k!
 
M

mrbb

Well-known member
chunk06 said:
Good luck shopping. My father and I are both shopping new and are having a hard time finding heavily discounted trucks (even 15's) like in the past this time of year. Sales are high and the salesmen know it! I think there's going to be a bubble one of these day's they just can't keep raising prices every year at the rat they're doing. My 2012 F150, same package truck the MSRP is up 7k!
Click to expand...
I agree, my 06 to a 16, same options, more or less same dam truck, minus body style, and a little different steering set up
and what ever emissions crap is different
sticker to sticker is 16k different
and NO way in my eye's is it a 16k better truck
same motor, trans rears, so drive train is the same, biggest difference again is steering and body style/shape
HOW They figure its worth 16 k more, blows my mind

a shame, if you really think about it, the trucks self destruct in my area in 10+ yrs from road salt , wash rinse, wax ,
all you want
its just a loosing battle here
they just ruts out
my truck is dent free, cleaned often
and I have rust on fenders, bumpers are soft right now, LOOK good, but If I wanted I can poke a finger thru the chrome coating??
I have bubbles in paint, and NO rust on outside of paint or inner body
its metal rusting between paint and paint??
GO figure??
I say its due to using so much recycled metal , to lower build costs, and raise profits??
I Like the idea Ford has with aluminum bodies
but still wonder how that will work out with chemical salt spray like they use

I seen salt eat wheels of aluminum over the yrs,

a truck today for the prices should be either MADE to last 20 yrs rust free,
or a drive train warranty of 150k/10 yrs

they want the $$$< give us better quality

I owned many older trucks from the 70-80-90's, that lasted 125k plus miles problem free, and didn;t rust IF you washed them and cared for them
so progress in long term life TO ME< isn't that far apart from older trucks
yes they look nicer, ride softer, and have more gadgets

but do they really offer up 25+k more reliability, updated???
over older one's

a few month back(July 2015)
I sold a 3/4 ton checy truck, a 1968, was garage kept since new, and last used in 1999
had 45,000 original miles on it
had the WIndow sticker in the glove box when I got it, and it costs 5800.00 bucks NEW LOL

guy I sold it to, had it up and running for about 250 bucks and some time cleaning the carb and such

wonder HOW many Modern trucks will be running in 45+ yrs??
even if garage kept and low miles??
 
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Modman440

New member
Heck my daily driver is a rat rodded 78 f100 and its all original drive train no issues. Don't see that happening with this newer stuff yes there all great with that modern junk. But unlike the oldies all that computer stuff fails I'm a mechanic I see 2010s with 140.000 and higher miles people drive more and I don't for see these things lasting like my f100

MOD
 
M

mrbb

Well-known member
well pulled the trigger and ordered me a 2016 dodge ram 2500 cummins
so I guess I will be learning what the difference is ,
first hand in snow, as winter will be here soon,
should have truck in about 2 weeks or less they said?
Got a pretty good deal too, or at least one I'm happy with LOL
will post a pic here when I get it, IF any cares to see it! HAHA!
 
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