Need traction
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Central KY
Need traction
So one thing I've noticed about this F-250 is that the rear wheel drive traction sucks. Out of the 20 pickups I've had over the last 28 years this one by far is the worst when it comes to getting a grip. I don't know if it's the stock Goodforayear Wrangler tires, or the fact that it's nose heavy because it's a diesel truck, or if it's the really stiff suspension that doesn't allow as much flex as a 1/2 ton truck. But this thing will spin the tires at the drop of a hat. Slight incline in dry grass....spin. Pulling out of a gravel driveway onto a paved road...spin. Driving straight up my gravel road on an incline....spin. It's annoying. I can only imagine how miserable it's going to be when winter gets here.
So, I'm looking at options for adding a LSD to the Sterling 10.5. I don't really want an e-locker. I want something that's automatic, seamless, and smooth. Looks like a lot of guys have gone with the Detroit TrueTrac. What other options are there? TrueTrac is $900 bucks. Is there anything that works great that's less expensive?
So, I'm looking at options for adding a LSD to the Sterling 10.5. I don't really want an e-locker. I want something that's automatic, seamless, and smooth. Looks like a lot of guys have gone with the Detroit TrueTrac. What other options are there? TrueTrac is $900 bucks. Is there anything that works great that's less expensive?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
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So one thing I've noticed about this F-250 is that the rear wheel drive traction sucks. Out of the 20 pickups I've had over the last 28 years this one by far is the worst when it comes to getting a grip. I don't know if it's the stock Goodforayear Wrangler tires, or the fact that it's nose heavy because it's a diesel truck, or if it's the really stiff suspension that doesn't allow as much flex as a 1/2 ton truck. But this thing will spin the tires at the drop of a hat. Slight incline in dry grass....spin. Pulling out of a gravel driveway onto a paved road...spin. Driving straight up my gravel road on an incline....spin. It's annoying. I can only imagine how miserable it's going to be when winter gets here.
So, I'm looking at options for adding a LSD to the Sterling 10.5. I don't really want an e-locker. I want something that's automatic, seamless, and smooth. Looks like a lot of guys have gone with the Detroit TrueTrac. What other options are there? TrueTrac is $900 bucks. Is there anything that works great that's less expensive?
So, I'm looking at options for adding a LSD to the Sterling 10.5. I don't really want an e-locker. I want something that's automatic, seamless, and smooth. Looks like a lot of guys have gone with the Detroit TrueTrac. What other options are there? TrueTrac is $900 bucks. Is there anything that works great that's less expensive?
Gotta remember these are now aluminum body trucks, so the rear end is even lighter than it used to be. But if you throw some weight in the bed it helps out a lot.
That or ease into the pedal a bit more - my FIL's new '23 with the 6.7 doesn't spin the tires that easily in grass or gravel, unless he really gets into it.
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Joined: Dec 2020
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My short bed SD scales at almost 3200lb on the rear axle with a full tank of fuel...is that considered light? Not much lighter than an entire Toyota pickup haha. With 900+ lbft of torque going to 1 tire, traction can be challenging. If fenese of the go pedal doesn't work then better tires and/or an LSD might be the way to go. If you haven't already done so, you could try lowering the tire PSI when not loaded.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Central KY
About 100-200 lbs in the bed. Seriously.
Gotta remember these are now aluminum body trucks, so the rear end is even lighter than it used to be. But if you throw some weight in the bed it helps out a lot.
That or ease into the pedal a bit more - my FIL's new '23 with the 6.7 doesn't spin the tires that easily in grass or gravel, unless he really gets into it.
Gotta remember these are now aluminum body trucks, so the rear end is even lighter than it used to be. But if you throw some weight in the bed it helps out a lot.
That or ease into the pedal a bit more - my FIL's new '23 with the 6.7 doesn't spin the tires that easily in grass or gravel, unless he really gets into it.
Nope I have my tires set to 56 PSI.
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Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Chaz
I got use to this 15 years ago when I got my first diesel.
But long story short the trutrac is a pretty good choice. If you live in ice and snow maybe do some additional research.
I will consider ordering my next truck without elocker and put a trutrac in it. Something I have thought about.
But long story short the trutrac is a pretty good choice. If you live in ice and snow maybe do some additional research.
I will consider ordering my next truck without elocker and put a trutrac in it. Something I have thought about.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2022
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Light on the rear axle, heavy on the front axle, lots of low end torque, hard stiff suspension and tires combined with an open diff = not very much traction. At least you have the magic **** and yes, a locker or LSD would help you avoid running in 4wd as much. All my trucks have a LSD rear.
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2021
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Is just common sense and physics y'all.
Yes, pickups have most of their weight over the front end so you need to employ other methods like four-wheel drive, locking differentials or adding weight in the bed. It's just simple common sense and physics. I air down my tires to 55psi when not towing or hauling a heavy load and that helps with ride and traction.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
My truck (see signature) tips the scale at 7900 with 1/4 tank of fuel and a 170 pound driver. 4680 pounds, or about 60% of the truck weight, is on the front axle. Combining the nose heavy truck with a high torque turbo-diesel engine can make getting the truck moving without spinning your rear tires somewhat challenging in certain conditions.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Itinerant
I'll respectively disagree with your assessment. I use mIne both on and off road with no issues. In snow also. Now if you need big heavy duty side lugs for extreme mud conditions then Wranglers probably won't make you happy.
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