MandolinMan
Registered User
Living in a rural area in central IN, the roads have been in pretty bad shape lately with all this snow, ice, and negative temperatures we've been having. Had to run into town today, first time I've been out in the last couple days, So I popped it in 4x4 and took it slow. Got to town fine where the roads were much better. While I was stopped I took it out of 4x4 and unlocked my manual hubs. Ran a few errands, and headed back home. Headed down a roughly plowed country road at about 30 mph in 2wd towards home when I guess I hit an extra slick spot and slid right into a ditch on my side of the road. Had to smash my breaks to keep from hitting a farmers fence so I came to a dead stop.
Got out and locked my hubs, which were buried under two feet of snow. Tried 4H and 4L, couldn't even rock myself in either direction.
Really stuck this time. Snow to my hood, truck on a steep incline, six inches away from a fence.
Guy drove by a few minutes later in a new dodge 5500 and pulled me right out. Anyway, got me to thinking...
Is it alright to leave the hubs locked when NOT in 4x4? I have a time or two before but at 50 mph seems I could hear something from the front end, So I haven't since then. Didn't see it in the owners manual, just wondering what you guys thought?
Realized also that 4x4 is to keep you from sliding off the road and getting stuck in the first place.
Right after I bought my truck a local farmer commented to me after seeing my truck: " Good looking truck. Now if you can only keep it out of the ditches this winter". He explained to me that a diesel engine sits like a one ton boat anchor in the front end and really affects handling on snow. Now I know what he meant!
Also, Do all four wheels spin in 4x4? Because it didn't seem like it.
All that to say, yesterday I couldn't imagine getting stuck in my truck with new tires and several hundred lbs. in the back. But trucks fine so its all good I guess.
Any of you fellows have any stories from the snow storms the last few weeks?
Got out and locked my hubs, which were buried under two feet of snow. Tried 4H and 4L, couldn't even rock myself in either direction.
Really stuck this time. Snow to my hood, truck on a steep incline, six inches away from a fence.
Guy drove by a few minutes later in a new dodge 5500 and pulled me right out. Anyway, got me to thinking...
Is it alright to leave the hubs locked when NOT in 4x4? I have a time or two before but at 50 mph seems I could hear something from the front end, So I haven't since then. Didn't see it in the owners manual, just wondering what you guys thought?
Realized also that 4x4 is to keep you from sliding off the road and getting stuck in the first place.
Right after I bought my truck a local farmer commented to me after seeing my truck: " Good looking truck. Now if you can only keep it out of the ditches this winter". He explained to me that a diesel engine sits like a one ton boat anchor in the front end and really affects handling on snow. Now I know what he meant!
Also, Do all four wheels spin in 4x4? Because it didn't seem like it.
All that to say, yesterday I couldn't imagine getting stuck in my truck with new tires and several hundred lbs. in the back. But trucks fine so its all good I guess.
Any of you fellows have any stories from the snow storms the last few weeks?