How do the 2WD Silverados Hold up in Winter???

DewAddict · April 7, 2006

HI All,

Newbie here!!

Looking to get a 2WD Silverado (want a 4x4 but will have to wait a bit longer) I am looking at an extended cab with the 1LT package and the 5300 V8 motor. How do they do in the snowy weather? I live in Michigan and will be driving it in the winter which can get rough up here.

I heard that the weight is pretty well distributed and there are not too bad but I would like to confirm before I make my purchase. I am used to an Explorer which I will never buy again although it was great in the winter but had 4x4 on it also.

Thanks,

Rob

ken1mod · April 7, 2006

The g80 locking rear axle would help a lot. I had mine in snow in Arizona with no problems. A 4wd Dodge was lusting after the chance to pull me out but I disappointed him.

It had to spin the slipping tire a bit but locked with a clunk and I drove out.

ken

opsbear7 · April 7, 2006

Dont really know how much this will help you...but for me at least...i live in MD where we get an occasional over night snow of 4-6" that melts in a week...but anyways if i didnt have the 4 wheel drive in my truck i would not be able to make it up the hill to my house..and this is not some extremely steep hill just a small grade...I have stock tires on that are brand new!

chuck16 · April 7, 2006

I put about 300lbs right near the tailgate in my 1500 2WD with the locking rear diff and it seemed to do pretty well all things considered.

The ABS is really nice in the snow I think it gives a bit better feel for the snow and ice.

If I have to go anywhere in the snow though there is nothing like my Wife's little Subaru.

RyanZ71 · April 7, 2006

Nothing like the little Subaru until it can't go any further because the snow is too high

All kidding aside, those little Subbies are ok in the snow, just don't like the deep stuff. I've pulled my fare share of them out.

pwall · April 7, 2006

Well I guess the answer all depends on how much snow you get.

If you get a couple of inches every now and then and it melts quickly, then probably not a big deal.

However......

Hey, I live in Ottawa and I wouldn't want to not have 4x4 in the winter. ;)

DewAddict · April 7, 2006

Well.....

Maybe I'll go with the Colorado 4x4 instead. I can get it for the same price as a 2WD Silverado. I have a second car for driving and better gas economy that I use to go to work so the Silverado/Colorado will be my play vehicle.

Thanks for all of the quick replies.

Rob

opsbear7 · April 7, 2006

Well.....

Maybe I'll go with the Colorado 4x4 instead. I can get it for the same price as a 2WD Silverado. I have a second car for driving and better gas economy that I use to go to work so the Silverado/Colorado will be my play vehicle.

Thanks for all of the quick replies.

Rob

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you are working around a price...why dont you drop down from the LT1 package to a reduced in price package and put the money towards gettinga 4x4....or buy a used truck. I have had a used truck for over 6 months now and I love it!...expecially for the price i paid for it

05W/T · April 7, 2006

I drove my 2WD 5-speed no G80, factory tired Sierra almost everyday this winter in Northern Lower Michigan. I even pulled a Honda Accord station wagon out of the ditch with it. I only got stuck once this winter. I got stuck in some tire grooves in the ice on my driveway, acted just like wheet chocks.

Brian

2005 Sierra C1500 W/T 4.3 V-6 5sp RCLB

1989 Chevy K1500 4.3 V-6 5sp RCSB

asepgrad98 · April 7, 2006

if this will be for a play vehicle and not your daily driver cant you just drive the other car when it gets really bad?

michigan2500hd · April 7, 2006

My company bought a work truck for me to use to run their construction company. It's a 1500 1/2 ton, reg. cab, 2wd with the 5.3L. I cant begin to tell you how bad it sucks in the snow and ice. I can't understand why they would buy a 2wd truck in michigan for construction use. All of the owners have 4x4's so they dont know what its like to drive a 2wd truck around the job sites. This thing will get stuck anywhere. Even with weight in the back, although some of the problem is the Cooper A/T tires. I think for everyday use a 2wd truck is fine most of the time. Depends how you are going to use it. An ext. cab might be a little better in the snow then a reg. cab long bed. The locking dif does help alot.

SoCalChris · April 7, 2006

I live in Montana, and drive about 60 miles a day on unpaved, unplowed back roads. I haven't had my truck too long, and this winter wasn't all that bad, but it seemed to do pretty good. I went to Home Depot and bought 300lbs of sandbags for the bed, that seemed to help out a lot. I have a feeling it would do considerably better too, without the cheap stock tires.

06 Silverado 1500 W/T

Regular cab, long bed, 2 wheel drive, manual transmission

SIERRA2000 · April 7, 2006

I live in Rochester New York where we are famous for our snow.

I have owned 2wd trucks for 30+ years.

Here is what I do.

1. Get the best snow tires I can. I put then all around better for steering.

2. Locking rear is a must!

3. Weight over the rear axle.

4. Know when to stay home!

torx · April 8, 2006

HI All,

Newbie here!!

Looking to get a 2WD Silverado (want a 4x4 but will have to wait a bit longer) I am looking at an extended cab with the 1LT package and the 5300 V8 motor. How do they do in the snowy weather? I live in Michigan and will be driving it in the winter which can get rough up here.

I heard that the weight is pretty well distributed and there are not too bad but I would like to confirm before I make my purchase. I am used to an Explorer which I will never buy again although it was great in the winter but had 4x4 on it also.

Thanks,

Rob

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The 2wd w80 locking diff is fine for most situations as long as you have a little weight in the back 200-300lbs. I also carry a set of emergency strap on chains in case the I get stuck and the g80 can't handle it by itself. http://www.tirechain.com/emergency_strap_o...-lighttruck.htm

The emergency chains are a snap to put on and take off and I've been able to get out of places with the g80 and emergency chains that a standard 4x4 could not get traction. Never been stuck with that combination. The chains will fit in your glovebox if you wanted to put them there. Being in MI, if you do go with 2wd make sure your next set of tires is Mud and Snow rated.

pwall · April 8, 2006

The 2wd w80 locking diff is fine for most situations as long as you have a little weight in the back 200-300lbs. I also carry a set of emergency strap on chains in case the I get stuck and the g80 can't handle it by itself. http://www.tirechain.com/emergency_strap_o...-lighttruck.htm

The emergency chains are a snap to put on and take off and I've been able to get out of places with the g80 and emergency chains that a standard 4x4 could not get traction. Never been stuck with that combination. The chains will fit in your glovebox if you wanted to put them there. Being in MI, if you do go with 2wd make sure your next set of tires is Mud and Snow rated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for posting about these snap-on chains. I'm gonna have to get a set before next winter.