FWD vs RWD

Opinions needed...Making a trip to Tahoe. There will likely be snow. I know which vehicle I would rather take but trying to be smart here. My 2014 2WD Tacoma w/chains (rear wheel drive) or the wifes 2005 camry (front wheel drive). Thinking FWD is the way to go but may be over thinking it.

 

I've been driving RWD vehicles my entire life. I would choose RWD any day of the week for snow regardless what other say about FWD being better in the snow. Having said that, do whatever feels more comfortable. If you feel more comfortable driving the Taco in the snow take that, but if you feel like you have more control with the Camry, go that route.

 

Put some weight in the taco and drive it, better ground clearance for if you do drive in snow, just drive smart.

 

Depends on how much snow. In really deep snow the Taco with chains wins. Light snow, 3-6", I'd prefer FWD.

 

This is the correct answer.

 

I agree with Bannerman and Marshall R, but more importantly, make sure you have the correct tires in great shape.

Be careful and know how to drive. When I had my taco(pre runner), I liked taking the Insight and it never let me down.

 

Yes, and remember, AWD, 4WD, FWD, RWD, only helps you go, not stop. I've seen plenty of 4x4s spun into the ditch because they think they are invincible in the snow. But you start to slide and it does not matter how many wheels you can turn.

 

My feeling is if I do start to slide with the wheels turned.....applying throttle to a FWD should pull you out of the slide where RWD will just continue to push you straight. Make sense?

 

They were simply trying to test out their lockers. What better way to really get the full effect of a locker without driving into a snowy ditch?

 

yup

take the taco, just in case the snow is deep

toss 200 lbs of sand in the back

 

it really does not matter.

Regardless of vehicle, GIVE YOURSELF TONS OF SPACE, drive slow, cus like stated, even 4wd's stop just as shitty as 2wd vehicles in the snow and ice.


That stated OP I have a 4x4 with hankook dynapro atm rf10's, i was up in mammoth for 4 days this past week and the roads were all icy n nasty, didnt need 4wd once (and there are some steep roads there) and i only had a little weight in the back (some skis n my snow chains).

So just throw some weight in the back n make sure you have a good set of chains and you will be 100% fine in the taco.

 

Remember there is no such thing as a "traction" device (posi or locker) for a FWD. If you wanna see "one tire fire" try driving on black sheet ice with FWD. My wife's little FWD car was absolutely helpless. I put 200 pounds of weight in the back (plus firewood) and chains on my truck and drove her to work in 2wd. The sand might have worked on the car - but it would have been hard to see around, piled on the hood of the little gadget. Car wouldn't push "deep" snow either (deep is a relative term for little cars).

There is also an engineering principle at work here - a tire can only supply so much traction - meaning both power and directional side load are involved as a sum. So a wheel / tire can only do so much steering - and propelling at the same time. When turning in the little FWD car - as soon as side support (steering) was required, the outside wheel (open diff) would light up. Absolutely frustrating. When trying to move straight ahead in "deep" snow - it helped to swing the steering wheel RH to LH so the open diff would keep switching drive wheels (you could hear them let go). At least got the car up into the driveway!

Front studs finally helped her car to be more useful in an "ice" state (we were in Ohio at the time) - but they have limited use restrictions and all sorts of other hazards to deal with depending on the location.

 

Sig check!

 

wrong...aftermarket posi or limited slip diffs are available for many fwd cars. autocrossers are the biggest market

 

Very true, I have a limited slip in my Mini Cooper

 

Settled...Taking the taco. Time to see what its made of anyway. Thanks to everybody who chimed in!

 

It's actually more the opposite of this. When the roads are very snowy, the front tires can't handle turning and accelerating. Hit the gas while turning and you'll get lots of understeer. With RWD, hit the gas while turning and you'll get lots of oversteer. Oversteer is fun for a while, but it gets old fast. Especially when you're on the highway.

 

I agree. Taco the taco and drive carefully and with a light foot.

 

Depends on the FWD cars tires. If it has dedicated snow tires I would take that without another thought if there was less than a foot of new snow. I have a Tacoma 4wd with newer Wrangler Duratracs and ill still choose to take my moms FWD Ford Focus with Blizzaks on holiday trips if the roads are bad. I'm in Northern MN so we see some crappy roads. A FWD with good snowtires is a beast in the snow. My tacoma can rally through a foot of snow and is great driving around town, but highways speeds and slick roads can be a little dicey.

 

Ya, snow off road is not the issue here. It's the roads i'm worried about.