Poor traction with 2WD Silverado - Chevrolet Discussions on GM Authority Forum

rocksrolling

A guy doing some work at my house has a 2010 2WD Silverado. I asked him how he likes it. He told me that he absolutely loves it, except that his work often requires that he drive on dirt or gravel and he gets very poor traction. He indicated that the rear wheels start slipping as soon as he applies any throttle. I'm wondering if he might not have some sort a mechanical or traction control problem. Has anyone else had similar experience?

wbodyfan

What he's describing seems to be the nature of rear-wheel drive in general. Powered by a V8 engine, the rear wheels tend to spin out, especially after throttle application from standstill. The spin control will mitigate it, but only after it detects some wheel slip. He could always grab the 4WD version, though.

For me, driving my '95 Silverado on gravel is one of the funnest experiences -- it slips and slides, but I'm still in control.

PS: I only do this in safe environments, not construction zones with machinery/equipment and dug holes.

Lex

most 2WD trucks don't come with G80 automatic locking diff. but anyone without one could just get a kit and install one which would make whole lot of difference on slippery surfaces

wbodyfan

@Lex an automatic locking differential, huh. I'm curious as to how that would help him. I'm not utterly familiar with trucks :)

Lex

@wbodyfan
When wheel start to spin, it's usually just one wheel with less traction, but in this case it'll automatically lock to gain that much needed traction.

alex

@lex well-put, sir. I do think that would help @rocksrolling's friend.

RjION

Works the same in front or rear drive. Works the same in cars as it does trucks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_Slip_Differential

http://wikicars.org/en/Limited_slip_differential

Lex

Usually its the rear, G80 is not exactly LSD, I'd prefer a G80 in the rear and e-locker in the front (if its 4WD).

RjION

While it's not a LSD and not a positraction it works on the same idea as a LSD in the way it's not locked at all times. A "locking diff" must either be mechanically, electrically, or air activated. While LSD's clutches are activated by slippage. Whats better, well that depends on what the axle is in ............ RWD, FWD, 4X4, on road or off road. RockCrwaler or Desert runner.

Brian_E

I'm a bit late to this discussion, but I have a couple observations.
The original poster mentioned wheels (plural), so I'm not sure the locking differential would provide the benefit they're after.
On my wife's 2005 Chevy crew cab, it experienced alot of wheel spin when we first bought it. After a while, we put different tires on it: problem solved. If I remember correctly, they are Cooper Discoverer H/T LT. A similar tire from other manufacturers would probably help as well.

alex

@Brian_E Is that Cooper Discoverer the stock tire from GM or is it the one you put on after the fact?

Brian_E

That's one I put on after the fact. It's not a stock offering from GM that I know of.

alex

@Brian_E I see. Thanks for the info -- it should help @rocksrolling's friend and those of us experiencing poor traction in our Silverados/Sierras.

chevtothemax

who would want to stop spinning on gravel. i have a '94 gmc and sliding on the backroads is my favourite pastime gravel or snow. your friend probably just needs new tires. ps. im puttin a 383 stroker crate engine in mine right now it just has the 350

Z15

Also, 2 wd truck are light in the rear. Tell him to put a couple hundred lbs in box and traction will improve. G80 is worth having. Having driven trucks with and without, I would not buy a truck without it ever. The Eaton G80 Locker will lock both wheel when one spins 100 rpm faster than the other. It will not lock up over 20 mph for safety. Most all 4x4 trucks now come with the G80 unless its a stripped down version.

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