why not fwd truck
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Most trucks are used for hauling or towing which makes RWD preferable.
The Escape is considered a FWD truck, we even have an Escape Forum here at FTE.
The Escape is considered a FWD truck, we even have an Escape Forum here at FTE.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,873
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From: St. Peter
Also, for a front wheel drive vehicle, dont they usually have the engine sideways? I was actually wondering, like say for a dodge caravan AWD, do they put the engine in strait, and then use a viscous coupling and a driveshaft, or do they put it in sideways, and have some wierd viscous coupling, and some strange driveshaft arrangement? It'd be neat to see the underneath of one of those.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
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From: Elkhart IN
well when you think about it, trucks usually have bigger engines, so with a front wheel drive you would have to stuff a tranny, and maybe a t case, all under the hood. that would be a very tight fit. also, with a truck most of the time theres a good amount of wheight in the back, so your going to have more traction with the wheight pushing down on the rear tires that are driving, opposed to pulling up on the front tires, and giving less traction. and with a truck pulling a trailer, it would be the same principle. it would be a very interesting concept though.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 22
From: Tucson USA
I read an article on the new honda truck, FWD, one of the comments is that it will have a lack of towing and payload since all the weight is up front. This is a effort at a crossover vehicle and many more are expected to follow.
Aren't some of the small nissans FWD?
Aren't some of the small nissans FWD?
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
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I agree with the towing but most trucks today are used as pleasure vehicles .the full size trucks will always be rwd or four w d but the small trucks should perform well as front wheel drive the reason i would like a fwd is for economy and better in snow than a rear wd ...
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by vulch
...most trucks today are used as pleasure vehicles...
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 952
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From: Charlotte, NC
The only thing i don't like about my rwd ranger is the fact that I have very little traction, and when i do, it is easy to break loose. I use it as a daily driver, I don't haul much back there most of the time, every now and then i'll make some dump runs with my dad, and since i have an open bed, guess who gets to carry it. I do like the improved traction when i carry that stuff too. Fwd needs to remain on cars though, I hate driving a Fwd, just something about how it drives, i just don't like it. I will always be a man that likes rwd.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 144
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From: Englewood, CO
Over the course of history most all pickups have been rear wheel drive. My opinion is that is because of getting the power to the wheels doing most of the work in the best way possible. What I mean by that is the most direct way without loosing horsepower.
I remember not all that long ago, growing up on the farm, the pickup hauled everything needed to fix anything, including fuel for the equipment. It had very little in the way of extras, and always a bench seat. But it was geared to slog thru mud, snow and just about anything that got in it's way. And at that time, that was the group of people buying pickups, farmers and construction and people using them for work. In fact my '60 has a heater as an option!
If you do the same with a front wheel drive vehicle, would the front drive shafts, cv joints, and transaxle hold up to that kind of use? I don't think they would. And I think they are correct about the towing because of the lack of weight.
I think if you're wanting a vehicle for gas mileage, and your not using it to work, then buy the best car with the best mileage you can find. It won't have to punch a big hole thru the wind, like most trucks do.
I remember not all that long ago, growing up on the farm, the pickup hauled everything needed to fix anything, including fuel for the equipment. It had very little in the way of extras, and always a bench seat. But it was geared to slog thru mud, snow and just about anything that got in it's way. And at that time, that was the group of people buying pickups, farmers and construction and people using them for work. In fact my '60 has a heater as an option!
If you do the same with a front wheel drive vehicle, would the front drive shafts, cv joints, and transaxle hold up to that kind of use? I don't think they would. And I think they are correct about the towing because of the lack of weight.
I think if you're wanting a vehicle for gas mileage, and your not using it to work, then buy the best car with the best mileage you can find. It won't have to punch a big hole thru the wind, like most trucks do.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
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The old VW truck was actually a Rabbit converted to a small pickup, much like the Dodge Rampage was a modified Dodge Charger (FWD) converted to a pickup format.
But pickup trucks have been, and should remain, RWD for the towing and hauling ability.
But pickup trucks have been, and should remain, RWD for the towing and hauling ability.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: dallas
Originally Posted by vulch
I agree with the towing but most trucks today are used as pleasure vehicles .the full size trucks will always be rwd or four w d but the small trucks should perform well as front wheel drive the reason i would like a fwd is for economy and better in snow than a rear wd ...
stupid reason. trucks should always be rwd or 4wd. fwd is for 4 banger cars
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
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Hey i dont know about where you guys are but around here i see alot of big expensive heavy duty trucks that never see a bit of gravel or mud in the box the boxes on the full size with 4 doors are no bigger than my 4 banger car