I had a 2001 Dodge Durango w/4WD and it was remarkable in the snow - never slid, fishtailed or lost control. (Should've kept it). I bought a new 2005 Dodge Durango SLT 4.7 LTR w/AWD that is horrible, horrible, horrible in the snow even in only 2-3 inches and new tires. It has only 2 choices for traction: AWD and 4 LOCK - I don't see a diff. in snow with either of these - it fishtails and slids all over in both positions even when doing as little as 5 mph!! I swear they never put the AWD or 4LOCK in the truck when they built it but I took it to the dealer 3 times over the past 3 winters and the dealer tells me it's "operating as designed".

Any one have any ideas? Is there really that big/noticeable a diff. between 4WD and AWD???

Someone riding in my Durango in the snow said "It fishtails like a 68 Camaro w/bald tires!'

 

Only thing I can suggest would be to put some weight in the rear, over the axle. If you use bags of sand for the weight an added benefit is that you can use some of the sand for traction if you get stuck somewhere...

 

Thanks for the suggestion but the Durango has the 3rd row seating which often has a child (or two) in it.

Wondered if this fishtailing and sliding is normal for an AWD Durango. Amazing how poorly it handles in snow where the 2001 4WD Durango never skidded or fishtailed.

Should the difference between AWD and 4WD be this noticeable?

 

I wouldn't think so, I've always had 4WD Trucks & SUVs (4 Grand Cherokees), but my mom had an AWD Honda CRV when she lived in N.Y. and I thought it was great on snowy pavement.
You got limited slip in that thing? If not maybe a good LSD in that thing may do the trick.

 

What is LSD? You asked if I have "limited slip". What is that? If you're asking if the slipping is limited,,,,,,,not, it's frequent and moderate slipping.

 

He's referring to a limited slip differential in the rear. If you don't then what happens is the tire with the least amount of traction will spin and the other will not recieve power. This can cause your fishtailing issue. Check your glove box it should tell you what you have. LSD will slip a little and then try to even out power to both wheels. It's not a locker by any means but is better than an open diff.

 

I have never put my 2007 Durango in 4 wheel during last winter in Pittsburgh. All Wheel Drive worked great in the snow but never got stuck in order to use the 4x4. When I first got the 2007 (I had a 2003 old model before) I tried to do donuts in my parking lot at work and no matter what I did I could not get it to fishtale (did not know it had AWD full time),
Mark

 

Sounds to me that Paddykakes has an open rear diff and Fascistfaction has a factory LSD.

Paddy, a good solid LSD such as an Auburn Gear LSD is not terribly expensive (under $400) and installation in a good shop shouldn't take more than an hour...

 

PK:

What kind of tires does your D have on it?? If you have anything close to the OEM Goodyears, they are pretty much junk.

My 01 has the AWD transfer case, and I love it. It began life with a part time case, and after driving our 05 D's at work with the AWD, I decided that AWD was the mod for me.

BTW, I do not have the Anti Spin or Limited Slip rear end, and I have no fishtailing issues.

Any vehicle no matter what type of drive train will lose control if you apply to much throttle.

No electronic control system can overcome the laws of physics, although some do an amazing job of trying.

When your T case is in 4 lock, that is the same as a part time 4x4 in 4 High.

I have Firestone Destination LE's on my rig, and between those and the AWD it has not let me down yet.


Don

 

I actually have an easier time fishtailing and doing donuts in 4 hi than 2wd but only when I want to. My D has been the best vehicle I've had in the snow. just enough weight on the rear end and it goes and stops where I want it to.

Back on topic as Hammer said Paddy look into getting LSD in the rear end. This will help your issue immensely and as N8 stated tires make a world of difference.