Awd Vs. 4wd

[1flyfisher]

Hello,

I just signed up and have some questions.

 

I am buying a GMC 2010 Savana 1500 AWD van and wonder what I can expect in snow, sand, mud performance from a vehicle like this?

I will likely put some slightly larger after market wheels and all terrain tires on it.

I need to drive in snow and wash board roads, dirt roads too.

Does the AWD Savana do well in snow?

 

Oh yeah I will order it with limited slip differential also so that and better tires/wheels should help.

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

Huh? They still make full size vans?

[1flyfisher]

Huh? They still make full size vans?

 

They make some pretty bad ass off road full size vans http://www.sportsmobile.com/

 

No Sportsmobile for me though I can't afford the $$$....So I am going for the GMC Savana AWD. I have heard good things about their offroad/snow performance. But thought I'd try and get some more feedback.

[1flyfisher]

Anyone have any input on AWD trucks vs 4wd?

As to what I can expect?

[RAYS B4U]

My SS is AWD and it works great in snow, haven't had it in the mud or sand.

[MS3DALE]

Theres also these....Quigley

We've sold a couple of them,There nice conversions.

[Z45]

AWD means all 4 wheels power the vehicle. Its uses a special transfer case. You cannot deactivate it.

 

4WD on the other is selectable, you have to engage it.

 

I don't know exactly the ratio front to rear in the van but in my AWD CTS its 60% power to rear, 40% to front.

 

Most would say AWD is better because its there when you need it, always driving all 4 wheels. Fuel economy will suffer somewhat from AWD depending mostly on how its driven.

[1flyfisher]

My SS is AWD and it works great in snow, haven't had it in the mud or sand.

 

I have heard some good things about the Savana AWD. That it actually does very good in the snow. I guess with these AWD pickups and vans the overall build just isn't as beefy as a true 4wd? That is my understanding at least from what I have heard. But I don't need a Quigley 4WD or a Sportsmobile 4wd for an extra $10-15+ in addition to the vehicle cost.

 

I just need good winter snow driving performance and reasonable off road ability. As in good performance on wash board roads and some moderately rougher roads with some ruts and mud. I won't be doing any rock crawling or hard core 4 wheelin. I just need to get in and out of the back country roads when they are snow covered or muddy.

 

I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee 1994 with BFG AT's that was AWD a 65/35 and that vehicle could take a beating with that AWD setup. So I am hoping a GMC Savana AWD will do reasonably well.

[1flyfisher]

AWD means its the front and rear wheels are always driving the vehicle. Its uses a special transfer case. You cannot deactivate it. 4WD on the other is selectable, you have to engage it.

 

I don't know exactly the ratio front to rear in the van but in my AWD CTS its 60% power to rear, 40% to front.

 

Most would say AWD is better because its there when you need it, always driving all 4 wheels. Fuel economy will suffer somewhat from AWD depending mostly on how its driven.

 

I had a jeep with full time AWD, which I liked very much. The GMC Savana is 65/35. 65 rear 35 front of course. I will add the slip differential when I order. I am going to order a 2010 around year end in their new Silver color. I understand they come with General Ameritrac tires which I have heard are pure crap. So I may run those tires from spring through fall and then next fall replace them.....or maybe take them off right away and replace the wheels and tires and then try and sell the OEM wheels and tires on craigslist or ebay. IF I can.

[wages999]

My parent's had an 1986 Chevy 3/4-ton window van that actually did pretty good off-road even though it was only 2 wheel dive and had regular all-season tires on it. We took on a vacation to South Dakota and were in the bad lands in a really bad rain storm. The dirt road we were on turned to mud. It was sinking into the mud up to the rims (about 4 or 5 inches) and never got stuck. We took it on some off-road trails in the Black Hills and it did very well. The AWD and All-Terrain tires should be able to get you through anything.

[Z45]

My CTS4 has the limited slip rear differential. You cannot really tell driving it that its AWD. You do notice the improved handling on wet roads etc. I don't drive it in winter, car is too low to ground and has wide Michelin Pilots P235/50R18 V-Rated all-season tires.

[1flyfisher]

I've had a 1979 Chevy van since 1990. It gets stuck in anything. I can't tell you how many time I have been stuck in mud snow or just slipping and sliding all over the hard pack even with chains. I put Bridgestone Duelers on it years ago but that didn't do to much. Vans seem to be shit in snow, at least the one I have. That's why I am a bit concerned about dropping $30K+ on a new van with awd. The van I have now keeps me home when it snow/rains in the Sierra's and I am missing out on good fall flyfishing and duck hunting. I need a van because I want to transport my kayak and be able to sleep in the van. I use a wheelchair otherwise I would just go out and just get a good deal on a 2009 4wd pickup.

 

I need the AWD van.

I'm sure it will be fine with some beefy BFG At's or Revo's or GY Silent Armour's or something of that sort.

[C. Charles Hahn]

With my AWD TBSS, I had excellent luck in snow provided I had the right tires on it (stockers were crap, 20" performance tires).

[pwall]

Probably not relevant, but I had a '99 Safari van AWD and that thing was great in the snow.

Smaller van though.

[1flyfisher]

""""""""""""With my AWD TBSS, I had excellent luck in snow provided I had the right tires on it (stockers were crap, 20" performance tires). """"""""""

 

 

 

I am hoping the AWD Savana will do me right. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

Tires make a big difference.

I'll either try and sell the OEM tires right away while they are new or run them from spring to fall. I want those OEM General Ameritrac's off as fast as possible.

But before the snow flies I am throwing on some new AT tires.

 

I haven't decide which tires I want.

Costco has Michelin and BF Goodrich.

So I am considering the BFG AT/KO (which I have had good luck with) or the Michelin LTX M/S2.

Also considering the Goodyear Silent Armours and the Bridgestone Revo's, Toyo Open Country AT......decisions decisions....

 

 

I like buying from Costco as they have a good overall price for what you get,,,,,,as they include Road Hazard, Tire rotations, Have Nitro whenever you need a few pounds, and mounting and balancing included.....so they are pretty competitive.