Why no FWD trucks?

Is there a reason why no trucks are front wheel drive? I think it would be a great alternative for those that don't need hardcore 4x4 but still a little traction for snow driving. My FWD car does great in snow, and if it would need anything it would be more ground clearance. Is it just a mechanical/logistical problem?

PS: I am completely mechanically inept when it comes to these things, so hopefully this isn't a stupid question.

 

add weight to the truck bed like bags of sand that will help alot...i would never buy a pickup thats FWD

 

it would be kind of a waste, it would have to be a completely different drive line configuration

 

Only problem with FWD is when you lose traction you lose steering too. I would never buy one...

 

No FWD for me.

 

plus the weight distribution would be way off

 

Being a truck, I would think the weight transfer issues with a load in the bed would make a front wheel drive only drive line useless. Probabley do some pretty sweet burnouts though

 

Not a truck.

To answer the OP's question, FWD configurations are ill-suited to the kinds of work trucks do for a number of reasons.

 

That and you are asking the front wheels to steer and put down power. With every bit of weight up front it seems like the back would get wild.

 

Surely.....Front wheel drive is awesome in the snow.

But....you can't have front wheel drive and be able to tow/haul heavy loads.

With heavy loads/tonque weight - can lift the front end upwards. Then, at that point, where would your traction be?

 

Isn't the Ridgeline FWD?

 

i think it's awd

correction 4wd

 

I think the 80's VW minitruck was FWD.

NEVER see those on the road any more. Maybe a reason why...

 

What Janster said . I love this you girls must sit around all day trying to come up with some thing about trucks when its all been said.

 

Sort of. It's FWD until the ECU senses traction loss at the front wheels, at which point it begins to power the rear wheels on an "as needed" basis, and Honda somehow gets away with calling this devilry 4WD.

If you want a detailed explanation, you can find it here:

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/Variable-Torque-Management-VTM-4-Explanation.html

It's a good system. It's just NOT 4x4.

And once again, the Ridgeline is NOT a truck. It's the best minivan money can buy.

 

The Honda Ridgeline is FWD, if you consider it a real truck.

Wikipedia:

"The all-wheel drive system operates in front-wheel drive mode under normal conditions and automatically transfers power to either rear wheel via a locking differential when it senses a loss of traction in the front"

That's cool. I guess.

It's a car-based truck, so to me it's no different than a CRV except that it has a bed. I respect Hondas for their longevity like Toyota, but I think it needs an upgrade in the looks department. Who wants to drive an ugly-ass ride?

 

HEE HEe

 

my wifes honda accord is front wheel drive

 

It's an Odyssey with a bed. Trucks are body on frame and have rear wheel drive. No exceptions. Everything else is an El Camino.