HighLoader said:
I am looking at the 07 Chevy 2500HD, ext cab long bed, with the Duramax and Allison Trans. I am stuck on wheather to get 4 wheel drive or just 2 wheel drive with the locking differencial. I will not be towing very often, maybe 3 or 4 times a year. I will be towing a three horse trailer with horses that weighs about 7300lbs and sometimes a travel trailer that is 8700lbs dry and maybe 10,200 loaded. I live 5 miles back on a dirt road. I will be towing from southern California to northern Navada and back. It is about 12 hours one way. Is there a big advantage to having 4 wheel drive? Is 4wd a rougher ride than 2wd in an 07 Chevy? I would hate to get stuck in the mud or snow pulling three hungery horses. I have heard good things about the Chevy rear locking dif....is it enough to keep me out of trouble??? What do you think and what would you do???
Thanks, Brian
Brian,
I just got my 3500HD 4x4. It comes satndard with a
locking differential. I my book, it's an excellent unit. First off, it's not a limited slip. Ford units are limited slip. My Ford only works sometimes. When it does, clutch packs engage so that the wheel that's spinning locks up with the stuck wheel and helps get you unstuck. The power transfer is slower, the clutch packs slip somewhat, so you lose power transfer.
In the GM HD's, the rear locker is a true locker. It mechanically locks the spinning axle side to the non-spinning side to get you unstuck. There's no clutch packs to wear out and the power transfer loses very little since there's no clutches to slip.
I have already experienced how much better the Gm unit works than the ford unit. I got my front tires off the pavement in a culvert, but my back tires were still on wet pavement. I put my GMC in reverse. At first, the rear tire spun, maybe a 1/2 revolution, then with a distinctive "thuk", the other rear tire locked-up and very quickly pulled me backwards.
In similar situatuations, my Ford L/S would not work as well. In fact, after about 50K on my Ford, the L/S is pretty well shot.
So the GM locking rear works very well, if all you require is 2WD. All that said, I wouldn't buy a truck without 4WD, it's worth every penny and it brings you better resale value since, too.
I think you'd be happier and more relaxed with it knowing you can get across wet fields than "white knuckling" with a 2WD.