Ice/Snow 4Wd traction

[biteme]

off to the snow on the weekend, and given forecasts of snow up until Sunday could mean snow/ice on the roads to Perisher. Now I know 4wd's don't have to carry chains and I don't intend to. However I'm curious as to peoples thoughts on this.

The disco is full time 4wd, which basically means that on a slippery
surface power will go to the one wheel out of 4 that has the least traction. With the centre diff lock only one wheel on each axle can spin. (ie 2WD). I have an airlocker diff in the rear which will give me 3wd. Now in my old escort with a welded rear end, it would slip and slide crazy style on a slippery surface, I wonder if have the rear diff locked in the disco will have the same effect. or will have a driving wheel at the front dampen that effect down. I know a lot of people in the US, have a FWD for snow conditions to avoid the back hanging out effect.

Thoughts/ideas??

Byron

[smellytofu]

RWD has (I think) been a big problem on snow. FWD also has its problems by the rear end which can swing out quite easily but not as bad as RWD.

Mind you if you need chains, just take it easy on the accelerator and don't try to prod the accelerator to powerslide. Mind you I was driving on the snow with chains on (whilst they were clearing the road) and if you don't do anything silly or sudden, it's hard to get yourself into trouble.

http://www.smellytofu.com/snow2002/DSC04438.jpg

[Lon]

You would be silly not to take chains.. even 4x4's can get into trouble. I have seen many 4x4's have an "off" as the drivers think they are invincable because they have a 4x4. Even I have a set in the back. You just never know when you will need them..... be smart, not lazy. And if conditions are as bad as they say they will be..................