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No 4x4 traction in 4 inches of snow??

bbill

By bbill
in 2000-2014 Silverado HD & Sierra HD

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bbill Enthusiast

bbill

Posted
Posted

Bought a 2011 3500 4x4 Durmax.

 

Last winter it got stuck going up my driveway in about 4 inches of snow. - while in four-wheel drive.

The driveway is about a 5-10 degree slope... not much at all!!!

 

So now, I'm wondering what the heck did I get, and why it wouldn't go up such a whimpy incline?

 

Was it the differential configuration? or the Tires? (Tires are street tread.)

Limited slip?

 

I checked my glove box and it lists a G80.

Should I add something else to my rig?

 

I don't off-road -- just pull a 20' trailer once a year.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

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dewfpo Senior Enthusiast

dewfpo

Posted
Posted

If the G80 is working and the transfer case is engaging, it must be the tires. I drive up a north facing ice covered driveway that 240' long and is a 12% grade (very steep) and I have no problems in snow or ice but I have winter tires on.

 

Several times I've even come to a dead stop half way up the driveway (after spinning the rears on snow or ice until progress stopped), engaged the transfer case and easily pulled all the way up without any problems before.

 

DEWFPO

bbill Enthusiast

bbill

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I had a 2008 Avalanche with M/S tires and it NEVER got stuck.

 

I can't figure out why the larger, heavier 3500 can't make it up such a simple hill.

 

My buddy says that I should get a "locker" added.

kstruckcountry Senior Enthusiast

kstruckcountry

Posted
Posted

You already have one, that's the G80. It sounds like the problem isn't getting the power to the wheels, but getting the power from the wheels to the ground.

Shaners Senior Enthusiast

Shaners

Posted
Posted

I would say it is the tires. I had Michelin LTX M/S tires on my old HD and it would walk right up my drive in 2wd. When I bought this truck I put Bridgestone Duelar A/T Revo's on it and I needed 4wd to go up the driveway. Although the Revo's were better in mud and wet grass than the Michelins, they were much worse in snow and wet roads.

 

I took the Bridgestones off with only 32K miles on them because I didn't want to drive on them anymore. I put on Nexen Rodian H/T tires which have a very similar tread to the Michelins (at a much lower cost).

scooby5121 Enthusiast

scooby5121

Posted
Posted

you have limited slip , locking rear end in 2 or 4 wheel drive.

It is always there.

And so the G80 is sufficient for you.

 

As mentioned above, Good Mud and Snow Tires is the way to go if you are concernd about getting stuck to often.

Scooby

Morgan1986 Senior Enthusiast

Morgan1986

Posted
Posted

Its your tires . I can get up a hill like that with 2wd with my winter tires easy blizzacks. I use to have all terria and I had no traction at all in the winter.

bbill Enthusiast

bbill

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks.... I just checked and it appears that 4 new tires cost as much as a locking differential would have. ($1200)

 

So now I'm thinking that maybe I'll just go with two new rear tires.... It sure is painful when my truck only has 12k miles on it.

 

Thanks for eveyone's comments.

MORSNO Enthusiast

MORSNO

Posted
Posted

I would also say it's your tires. I run 2 sets of wheels and tires up here in Alaska, one for summer, one for winter. Summer is the stock Michelin LTX AT2's and winter are Good Year Ultra Grip ICE WRT's with studs. A dedicated winter tire (look for the snowflake symbol) will run circles around any all season, all terrain, or mud terrain (they are the worst for ice).

RyanbabZ71 Senior Enthusiast

RyanbabZ71

Posted
Posted

Like stated previous the G80 is a locking rear differential not a limited slip.

 

Is yours a dually?

Silverado4x4 Senior Enthusiast

Silverado4x4

Posted
Posted

As others said you have a locker already, get rid of the street tires and get a set of 4 AT tires not 2.

 

4 Low does nothing for traction it just gives you more pulling power at low end, did you have the traction control turned off?

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