Electronic lock/Rear axle
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Oshkosh, WI
Electronic lock/Rear axle
Hey guys, new to the forum, bought my wife a 2013 F-150 with this $ 470 feature, was going thru the manual last nite and says not to use on dry pavement..........I understand its an open rear when off, says its only for off road stuff, like mud.................im wondering if you guys use this in snow for the winter. Was wondering if anything is gonna go south using this in the snow because even with snow on the ground its still a lot of pavement also.
So far im thinking I spent money on a next to useless item..........can you set me straight on this deal.
Thanks
Rich
So far im thinking I spent money on a next to useless item..........can you set me straight on this deal.
Thanks
Rich
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 1
From: Dayton, TX
Not to sure about snow. But it can be used on pavement, IF, your are traveling straight at a slow speed. Up a boat ramp is about the best example I can think of. Or it can be locked in and used for massive burnouts. This I have done and it works great.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 393
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From: Mi
I use mine every winter to get into the cabin with a trailer so it helps, however it only is engaged until 18mph if I remember right ? its really a once in awhile option but I don't think I could just drive right to the cabin door without it late at night so its worth it.....in everyday driving it isn't going to do much for you
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 10
From: Green Springs, OH
Using a locker in 2wd in snow will tend to make your truck go sideways. Typically you will only use this feature offroad. But it will pay for itself when you find yourself with one tire light in traction and can't move. Engage locker and watch magic happen. Just note they can make things worse sometimes if used improperly. Me personally I don't think I will ever have a truck without a locker. They are def. sweet.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
I use mine every winter to get into the cabin with a trailer so it helps, however it only is engaged until 18mph if I remember right ? its really a once in awhile option but I don't think I could just drive right to the cabin door without it late at night so its worth it.....in everyday driving it isn't going to do much for you
I've never owned a vehicle with a locker. Is the road to your cabin winding? I thought that was a no-no for the locker? I pretty much need to do the same with my truck when I head up north.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,961
Likes: 888
From: Montana
If you use the gas pedal really sparingly, you can use the locker in snow, but I would suggest only to get going. If you spin the tires with it engaged, you will start to spin out. If you turn a corner with it engaged, you could very well spin out. The locker is a great addition on a truck, especially in inclement weather and off road. That being said, you need to learn how to use it properly. Take is slow and you will learn, Kimosabe.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Mi
the roads there are straight but plowed...just really use it when we get there and we have snow on the property that in a week can get pretty deep then the next day we beat a nice path with the sleds....ha ha
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Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Southern California
The most important aspect when using a locker is to ensure the surface conditions are the same...IOW, if its a few days after a snow fall and there are ice patches...that is a time to be very careful....as if the one tire is on soft snow/pavement with 50% traction and the other wheel is on a patch of ice, when this tire catches the drier portion pavement, if there is any throttle on at all there is a very good chance you will be looking at axle/bearing/gear damage...in that order. I worked in the San Bernardino mountains for 10 years (fire service0...at one time, they ordered all the rigs (and pickups) with locking diff's...at the 5 years mark with a little bit of mileage on them.....they all started breaking (so to speak) with or without chains....within 2 years the shop just started replacing them with "limited slip "type units.....no issues after that.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 658
From: Sioux Falls Area
The most important aspect when using a locker is to ensure the surface conditions are the same...IOW, if its a few days after a snow fall and there are ice patches...that is a time to be very careful....as if the one tire is on soft snow/pavement with 50% traction and the other wheel is on a patch of ice, when this tire catches the drier portion pavement, if there is any throttle on at all there is a very good chance you will be looking at axle/bearing/gear damage...in that order. I worked in the San Bernardino mountains for 10 years (fire service0...at ntone time, they ordered all the rigs (and pickups) with locking diff's...at the 5 years mark with a little bit of mileage on them.....they all started breaking (so to speak) with or without chains....within 2 years the shop just started replacing them with "limited slip "type units.....no issues after that.
i can see what you are saying might happen to be likely with a mechanical locker, but not with an e-locker.
the damage you speak of typically occurs when one wheel slips and the locker engages abruptly. With an e-locker, that could only happen if the user engages the locker during a wheel slip event.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,100
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From: Southern California
just as a point of asking, were these electronic lockers or mechanical lockers?
i can see what you are saying might happen to be likely with a mechanical locker, but not with an e-locker.
the damage you speak of typically occurs when one wheel slips and the locker engages abruptly. With an e-locker, that could only happen if the user engages the locker during a wheel slip event.
i can see what you are saying might happen to be likely with a mechanical locker, but not with an e-locker.
the damage you speak of typically occurs when one wheel slips and the locker engages abruptly. With an e-locker, that could only happen if the user engages the locker during a wheel slip event.
the new rigs have E-Systems and as part of mfg instructions, they should not be engaged in ice or similar conditions where traction levels vary.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,961
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From: Montana
just as a point of asking, were these electronic lockers or mechanical lockers?
i can see what you are saying might happen to be likely with a mechanical locker, but not with an e-locker.
the damage you speak of typically occurs when one wheel slips and the locker engages abruptly. With an e-locker, that could only happen if the user engages the locker during a wheel slip event.
i can see what you are saying might happen to be likely with a mechanical locker, but not with an e-locker.
the damage you speak of typically occurs when one wheel slips and the locker engages abruptly. With an e-locker, that could only happen if the user engages the locker during a wheel slip event.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,100
Likes: 380
From: Southern California
The "Electronic" part of the locker is simply the engagement mechanism... A locker by definition is mechanical. Some are always engaged (like the old Detroit Lockers, etc), air engaged (like ARB lockers), and some are electronically engaged. Once engaged, however, they all pretty much work in the same manner.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
The most important aspect when using a locker is to ensure the surface conditions are the same...IOW, if its a few days after a snow fall and there are ice patches...that is a time to be very careful....as if the one tire is on soft snow/pavement with 50% traction and the other wheel is on a patch of ice, when this tire catches the drier portion pavement, if there is any throttle on at all there is a very good chance you will be looking at axle/bearing/gear damage...in that order. I worked in the San Bernardino mountains for 10 years (fire service0...at one time, they ordered all the rigs (and pickups) with locking diff's...at the 5 years mark with a little bit of mileage on them.....they all started breaking (so to speak) with or without chains....within 2 years the shop just started replacing them with "limited slip "type units.....no issues after that.
This is almost always the case when we head up there. We go there every weekend or every other weekend. We do our own snowplowing when we get up there, so there's always heavy snow and ice on the driveway. The driveway is a 1/4 mile long, and it's not straight and has an incline. My Super Duty with Dura Tracs handled it like a champ! This is also dragging a 5k trailer behind me. I was just curious how to handle it with the 150. Thank you
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Sioux Falls Area
The "Electronic" part of the locker is simply the engagement mechanism... A locker by definition is mechanical. Some are always engaged (like the old Detroit Lockers, etc), air engaged (like ARB lockers), and some are electronically engaged. Once engaged, however, they all pretty much work in the same manner.
everything you say is true, of course, but the method of engagement is what i was referring to.
they either engage themselves mechanically, or are engaged by the user, by some other means, that's all i was asking. most of your OEM lockers are considered limited slip's because they are actually open until some degree of wheel slip occurs (think GM's G80, which is a modified version of the detroit locker).
while i can see how it would happen, i highly doubt most users would see any damage to rear end components due to variable road conditions. to me, that is the ideal time to use them. the limited slip's ability to reduce breakage under extreme circumstances comes as a direct result of compromising ultimate traction.
my bet ... if one drives like you are supposed to on roads like this, that is to say "with an egg under your foot", breakage would be nil. That being said, "with an egg under your foot" a limited slip would likely perform equally as well.
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Psykoemaniac
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Nov 21, 2010 05:07 PM