2WD 'Burb goes great in snow - anybody else?

[Alex V.]

I drove my '67 C10 'Burb in the snow for the first time today, and it did surprisingly well - a heck of a lot better than my '13 Cruze. Has anybody else observed that the 2WD coil-spring-rear-suspension Suburbans get unusually good traction in winter conditions?

[CG]

I think it helps that the burbs seem to be a bit heavier in the rear than a pick up.

[Alex V.]

Certainly. I know it doesn't hurt mine that I've got 10" Destionation LE's on it with under 7,000 miles on them, either. It seems like the less "rigid" characteristics of the coil spring/control arm suspension over leaf springs would help it maintain weight distribution, also.

[In The Ten Ring]

Great news man!

My dad's (now mine) 2wd 1972 Custom 10 coil sprung positive traction pickup was aweful in snow....even with lowered tire pressure, weight in the bed, and chains...according to my dad.

I do want a Suburban though or panel truck sometime in the future but I'd be fearful of salted roads eating it alive.

[68panelman]

My 67 panel was horrible in snow, even though they are heavier, once the rear starts sliding, hold on. That's how I lost her to an oak tree. Rain turned to black ice and "oak tree your in my way".

[Alex V.]

68panelman - Sorry to hear of your panel's demise. I had the back end get squirrely on me one time on the way home last night, but thankfully I wasn't on the gas very hard and I just coasted it back into stability.

[lowrollin70gmc]

The weight on the rear axle definitely helps, I rarely engage my K20 Burb's front axle unless I'm playing. My 70 GMC truck did okay (before I did the body work and slammed it), but it took a lot of weight in the bed to make it manageable.

And tires are one of the biggest factor in the winter fight, heck I just studded my motorcycles tires and ride it on snow and ice.

[In The Ten Ring]

I'm thinking about getting studded tires for my daily driver (Honda Accord).....I carry chains and had to use those once this year already, getting up a steep and frozen hill to my ski condo. I know chains beat studs hands down, but studs might do OK for the less slippery times.

If I get two studded tires on their own rims, I could store those spring to fall and put those on the front of my car when winter comes. When spring returns I could just swap them out until needed again.

[Cape Codder]

You call that snow? That's just a dusting. I have drivin in New England for 40 years with mostly rear drive cars without to much trouble. Slow and momentom are a fine line that must be walked.

[woodwright]

Check with your local tire place about siping. More traction than you'll get from studs and you can run the same tires all year.

[In The Ten Ring]

Siping? I'll ask. I definately need to do something.