locker for snow?

Good, I'm not the only one who thinks this argument is so subjective it's laughable.

 

I'm not convinced a locker is particularly useful in this application either, but that's the topic of the thread and some people have argued a case for it.

The off-road people like the locker because it allows them to put a tire in the air and still get traction on the other tire; I don't see how this is any different than when one tire is on ice with zero traction.

 

THIS

each one has their own application where they will be better. If you're in the bush or on a country road I'd rather 4x4. In the city AWD will probably be best but who cares, if you drive according to conditions 4x4 will be great.

 

The problem with a locker on ice is that if one tire loses traction it can cause the other tire to lose traction. If you break static contact with the ice and the tire on road you are in trouble. You want the open differential, LSD, or traction aid to allow give in the system on ice because it helps the tires maintain static contact if one of the tires slips and loses traction. By keeping static contact you can still steer and the tire keeps you going the direction you want too and that's what really matters on ice.

 

To address the locker specifically (and since it is actually the topic)... one thing I can suggest is that it is a *very bad idea* to drive on slippery roads with the axle locked. Reason is that when one wheel starts slipping, they both do, and then you find the ass end leading, which is very very bad.

 

I locker will help you get out of a ditch or when you have very limited traction. But really for driving I certainly hope you do not engage a locker...if you do just please make sure I am no where near so you dont spin out into me.

 

Looks like we have established consensus!

 

Yup. Just ask anyone who has had a Detriot locker on a vehicle that drives on ice. It's damn near impossible to keep things from sliding everywhere.

 

I'm talking about being stuck because both right tires are on a sheet of ice, for instance. With zero traction on one side, the brake-based TRAC system might not be much use, since it'll still send most of the torque into the brake pads. Engage the locker, and the left tire applies the full torque to the ground and you can move again. I don't think anyone is advocating engaging the locker in motion in any scenario.

In theory at least. I've never been in this scenario myself, just speculating.

 

If you are on that much ice, IE the road is a skating rink, your tires will matter more than anything else. It's very very rare that 2 tires (the amount of tires on an open differential 4x4 that have locked torque) on ice won't have some traction, at least enough to move the truck.

 

You are mixing up your units a bit. I think you are actually referring to absorbing *power* in the brakes, not torque.
But imagine this;
If you are on ice in a situation like that, can it possibly take an entire half of the available power to get you to move? I mean, you have 4 wheels on ice and you've got a minimum of 159 hp available depending on which of 3 engines you have.

 

Lmao I drove a Subaru for 10 years and it did plow the streets with its low clearance but let's not kid ourselves, subarus are not better that a sport taco in the snow.

 

That the Toyota locker will see limited use in snow conditions unless you are offroad because you need to be in 4LO to use it ?

 

I live up by aspen and have for most of my life. You don't have to take it from me but we drive in more snow and ice days here than most do. An AWD low center of gravity beats a 4x4 or large SUV in snow every day of the week if tires are equal. I see more SUVs and trucks off the road on the passes than anything else. There are two big factors... weight is huge with most trucks and SUVs and high center of gravity. We all have 4 wheel braking (4wd, 2wd or awd) so I find it is the speed plus lack of steering and braking that causes most accidents. The biggest thing I can recommend to those wondering is better tires and slow down. I buy new studded snow tires for my truck (BFG ATs in summer) and the wifes AWD SUV every 2 years or so. I swear by them!!! Nothing beats them on ice especially when braking at a stop sign where everyone slides and makes the ice shine My Taco is a Sport with the limited slip and I find that better than my buddy with the locker on ice by far. Yes there are a few (very few ) times when stuck where the locker "might" help on snow and ice but the added torque does add to slipping with both tires. Less torque is better on ice and snow. Save the locker for rock crawling and other summer fun.