When I bought my 2008 I did so under the belief that the 4x4 would give me an added edge over traveling in the snow and it most definitely has. My problem, though, deals with the road conditions that are "spotty." It'd be great if the roads either had snow on them or didn't but there's a lot of "in-between" where you have your icy spots, your dry spots, your packed snow spots, etc. My solution was to just leave the thing in 4x4 - until I read the manual. Leaving the truck in 4x4 can cause undue damage to the driveline as a result of the "inner" tire on a turn wanting to turn as fast as the outter tire and either slipping or twisting the driveline. If I'm on snow it's fine - the inner tire can slip all day and no damage. However, when I called my stepdad he claimed that even lane changing and the gentle curves of the back country roads put strain on the driveline. Thus, to avoid damaging the vehicle I can put in 2 wheel drive. As I quickly discovered 2 months after I bought the truck, a pickup in 2 wheel drive is worse than a front wheel drive car. On two different occassions I had my bed beside me after 1) hitting black ice and 2) a semi throwing water underneath the rear tires. The tires are in great shape, by the way.

So...I feel stuck (no pun intended). I use the 4x4 and I cause damage. I don't use the 4x4 and I run the risk of losing a ton of traction.

Suggestions? I wish I had the auto four wheel drive but I don't. it's either locked or in low.

Thanks

 

slow down for starters.
but seriously, I have 300lbs of sand in my bed. Helps in the white stuff but nothig will help on ice except studded snows.

The road should be completely covered for 4wd to be used, so in spotty terrain, go without and drive slower.

 

dirtydog
+1
Al.

 

+1 for this topic being useful

 

Slow down and buy a set of winter tires or good all-terrains.

 

pavement need to be wet at least! and I have never heard of changing lanes hurting drivetrain even in 4wd. but yes any turning on dry pavement is rough on it!

 

Basically when driving on dry or even spotty pavement you are contributing to much faster wear on multiple drive line components. Now if the roads are really spotty, and even though there are relatively dry spots with good traction, but common sense is telling me that conditions are NOT safe to drive in 2WD, I'd stick it in 4 HI and drive cautiously. Drive slower and take turns easier to minimize wear. Having to replace hub bearings or other components sooner still beats a wrecked truck and possible injury.

But yeah, your best bet is to add some weight to the back of your truck.

That's one nice thing about having my Grand Cherokee for a daily driver. Quadra-Drive system. True 4x4 with transfer case and lockers front and rear, but fully automatic automatically adjusts for whatever conditions it encounters. The only control you got is for 4 LO. At first I hated it, I want control over when I can shift into 4 HI but as I've owned it, I have started to appreciate it...

 

Lose the stock tires for starters.

 

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean 08RAM... My '08 is a real disappointment to me as far as the 4x4 usage goes. Unless the snow is deep I feel like I'm gonna break the entire front of this truck.

My old 2001 Ram never gave me any problems and I used to leave it in 4x4 a lot during the winter months... spoty road conditions etc.

I've been driving both a Chevy 2500 and Ford F250 while plowing lately and the owner of the plow service just leaves them in 4x4 high even while driving between jobs where the roads might be relatively clear.

 

My dad has had an old dodge ram 1500 for about 8 years now. He lives at a high elevation in the West Virginia and drives in at least a foot of snow every year. He is also a huge bow Hunter and as retired caol miner he goes about 5 days a week during bow season and where he hunts he has to use 4x4 and his driveline is fine no problems at all and never has had any either. But you got to look he is also driving at very low speeds, so just slow down and you truck will be ok.