2WD, 4WD, FWD, AWD?
It’s a good idea to skip the high heels if you’re going out for a hike.
Similarly, a two-wheel-drive truck is just about the worst possible choice for attempting to make your way up a steep gravel driveway in summer.
Forget winter.
I rediscovered this truth the other day afternot making it up my friend Tim’s steep gravel driveway in my 2WD pick-up. Combine loose gravel (which behaves a lot like snow) a steep incline and a vehicle (my truck) with most of the weight up front – but all the power going to the (light) rear end.Most truck-type systems also have 4WD Low range gearing – which really helps. Mechanical leverage is multiplied; the truck (or SUV, if it has truck-type 4WD) will hunker down – and dig in. With the right tires, such a vehicle can go almost anywhere – including my friend Tim’s god-awful driveway.
Did I mention having to back down? And that his driveway is about a quarter-mile long – and really narrow?
But keep in mind that when you’re not trying to bully your way up a steep gravel driveway (or through deep snow) 4WD should, as a rule, be disengaged – else you risk wear and tear on the parts. Some 4WD systems must be disengaged on dry, smooth roads for exactly this reason. But this leaves you in back in 2WD (rear-wheel-drive) mode – with all the traction disadvantages that attend.
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