Looking at a 2005 Chevy Silverado...

[murphy55d]

How do these trucks handle in bad weather? I've never owned a RWD vehicle...all my vehicles have had AWD. Anyone have any experiences?

 

[JulesMaximus]

2WD pickup trucks are very light in the rear end and handle poorly in the snow. Still, a good set of snow tires and some weight over the rear axle usually make it decent in the snow. Of course, fuel economy will be shit year round.

Should be able to get a screaming deal on fullsize trucks/SUVs right now though as the market for them has completely tanked. I just did a quick search on Autotrader.com and found 74 Chevy Silverado 1500 pickup trucks for sale within 25 miles of my home zip code and several of the 2005 models were priced well under $15k with a V8 engine.

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[shocksyde]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
How do these trucks handle in bad weather? I've never owned a RWD vehicle...all my vehicles have had AWD. Anyone have any experiences?

Going from AWD to a RWD truck is gonna take some practice.

 

[murphy55d]

So a truck like this would need 2 sets of tires, rather than 1 set of all-seasons?

If I put weight in the back and got snow tires, would it handle snow as well as an AWD Hyundai Tucson? How close?

 

[Vogel515]

Pick up trucks are typically terrible in the snow to begin with - AWD helps, but the weight distribution can make it very difficult to drive.

What kind of driving in the snow are you planning on doing?

RWD and a pick up is definitely going to be a pain in the ass.

EDIT: Get the hyundai if you are worried about it.

 

[murphy55d]

I don't plan on driving through snowdrifts - I have a 3am 35 minute drive to work though, and if you've ever lived in PA, you know how the roads can be. Sometimes at that point, road crews havent yet begun.

 

[Vogel515]

Do yourself a favor, get the Hyundai

Never thought I'd say that... or type it

Edit: there is a misconception that you need a truck / SUV for the snow, FWD cars are the best vehicles to have if you're going to be sticking to paved roads, as long as they have a decent set of tires on them they will handle very well in the snow.

Growing up one of the best driving experiences I ever had was playing around doing donuts in the snow, it really taught me how to control the car, I would suggest some sort of practice for anyone unfamiliar with how their car reacts in the snow or on ice. (Make sure there is enough snow/slickness otherwise you'll need a new alignment!)

 

[murphy55d]

Well I already own the Hyundai. I was thinking of trading it in.

 

[krunchykrome]

My father owns a RWD toyota pickup. I drove it in a snow storm once and I was sliding all over the place.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Vogel515
Do yourself a favor, get the Hyundai

Never thought I'd say that... or type it

Edit: there is a misconception that you need a truck / SUV for the snow, FWD cars are the best vehicles to have if you're going to be sticking to paved roads, as long as they have a decent set of tires on them they will handle very well in the snow.

Growing up one of the best driving experiences I ever had was playing around doing donuts in the snow, it really taught me how to control the car, I would suggest some sort of practice for anyone unfamiliar with how their car reacts in the snow or on ice. (Make sure there is enough snow/slickness otherwise you'll need a new alignment!)

Ever try driving up a snow covered drive way or street? Sure you can manage, but you can manage a lot better with AWD.

 

[murphy55d]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
2WD pickup trucks are very light in the rear end and handle poorly in the snow. Still, a good set of snow tires and some weight over the rear axle usually make it decent in the snow. Of course, fuel economy will be shit year round.

Should be able to get a screaming deal on fullsize trucks/SUVs right now though as the market for them has completely tanked. I just did a quick search on Autotrader.com and found 74 Chevy Silverado 1500 pickup trucks for sale within 25 miles of my home zip code and several of the 2005 models were priced well under $15k with a V8 engine.

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The price at the dealership is 10,498. 31k miles. This is a dealership which doesn't haggle, and moves cars at an unbelievable pace. Whatever the price is on the sticker, you walk out with it... their prices are usually pretty good.

Edit; I should clarify I suppose, the main reason we even looked was to get rid of my high car payment now..I Bought the Hyundai when they first came out(its an 05 with 39k miles), and I'm paying too much. My first new car, paid too much. Live and learn I suppose.

I plugged some numbers into Edmunds finance calculator and this would drop my payments almost $200/mo. Which is what I wanted.

Here's the truck:

http://www.blueknobauto.com/auto_detail.php3?id=41961

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
So a truck like this would need 2 sets of tires, rather than 1 set of all-seasons?

If I put weight in the back and got snow tires, would it handle snow as well as an AWD Hyundai Tucson? How close?

Oh yeah, you'll need a dedicated-set of snow tires w/ the pickup. If it was 4-wheel drive I'd say you could do well with All-TERRAIN tires but no...a 2WD truck is going to need some good, sticky, snow tires to do much good.

Plus, you'll want to put a bunch of weight in the back. Slick conditions+RWD+a light rear-end = trouble.

If it was me...and I think I have some merit since I live in Alaska, I would never buy a 2WD truck (especially full-size) if it has to see even a little snow.

Hell...we don't even sell 2WD trucks up here...everything is 4x4.

 

[Vogel515]

Ok - my bad, I misspoke - without question AWD vehicles are the best in the snow. FWD cars do very well year round and in 95% of situations will serve just fine.

 

[murphy55d]

what do you guys think about this one?
http://www.blueknobauto.com/auto_detail.php3?id=41515

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
what do you guys think about this one?
http://www.blueknobauto.com/auto_detail.php3?id=41515

I think you'll be lucky to get 12mpg with that thing.

Why don't you just buy a Civic? Do you need all that hauling/towing capability?

 

[murphy55d]

hauling yes. we already have a 2000 neon..dont need another car like that. we are looking at a truck specifically.

 

[murphy55d]

jules what do you think about the first truck I linked to? besides driving in the snow with it... any thoughts on it between the months of march-nov?

 

[SAWYER]

Stay away from Nissan's small truck , my mother-inlaw has one(4x4) v6 and it gets HORRIBLE mpg. I know a few people with 6 cyl full size Chevy/Gmc/Fords who are claiming they get 18-20 mpg

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: Sawyer
Stay away from Nissan's small truck , my mother-inlaw has one(4x4) v6 and it gets HORRIBLE mpg. I know a few people with 6 cyl full size Chevy/Gmc/Fords who are claiming they get 18-20 mpg

Is that weird? I get 22 hwy regularly on my 5.3L Silverado.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
jules what do you think about the first truck I linked to? besides driving in the snow with it... any thoughts on it between the months of march-nov?

Well, it should be fine for driving around the rest of the year. If you're looking to save money though I don't know why you're considering going from a vehicle that probably gets 20mpg to one that gets 15-16mpg or worse. Have you considered a fullsize sedan like a Camry or Taurus?

 

[murphy55d]

All the MPG quotes I have seen are 20+ highway on the silverado.

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
All the MPG quotes I have seen are 20+ highway on the silverado.

My truck was actually rated 14/19 on the sticker. It consistently get 16/22 real world, of course I do drive it easy.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: Sawyer
Stay away from Nissan's small truck , my mother-inlaw has one(4x4) v6 and it gets HORRIBLE mpg. I know a few people with 6 cyl full size Chevy/Gmc/Fords who are claiming they get 18-20 mpg

Is that weird? I get 22 hwy regularly on my 5.3L Silverado.

A friend of mine had a 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 he bought new and he got 15-16mpg city and maybe 18-19 on the freeway. Edmunds.com lists that vehicle at 16 mpg / 21 mpg.

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: Sawyer
Stay away from Nissan's small truck , my mother-inlaw has one(4x4) v6 and it gets HORRIBLE mpg. I know a few people with 6 cyl full size Chevy/Gmc/Fords who are claiming they get 18-20 mpg

Is that weird? I get 22 hwy regularly on my 5.3L Silverado.

A friend of mine had a 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 he bought new and he got 15-16mpg city and maybe 18-19 on the freeway. Edmunds.com lists that vehicle at 16 mpg / 21 mpg.

I'm sure it's not the norm to get 20+ mpg on full size. I guess it's just my driving habits.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
All the MPG quotes I have seen are 20+ highway on the silverado.

I was quoting city driving. That's the type of driving I do typically as do most people. I wouldn't expect to get over 20mpg out of a fullsize truck on the freeway and 16 is about the best you could hope for in town. The vehicle he has now gets 20/26. Realistically, he's expecting a $200/month savings by switching vehicles but he'll probably spend an additional $40/month in fuel, assuming he drives about 8k miles annually, it will be even more if he drives more than that, and if gas prices continue to go up the amount he is "saving" by driving the truck will be even lower.

It just doesn't make good financial sense. Unless he actually needs the functionality of a truck I would recommend something smaller that gets better mileage.

OP, how long until you pay off the Hyundai?