Posted 2008-02-27 11:21 AM (#78105) Subject: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Member
Posts: 6
I think I've made a huge mistake.I'm leasing a new pick-up truck and got one with 2WD, not realizing it wouldn't be able to push my 2-horse BP up a hill backwards (on gravel). Loaded or unloaded, it just won't do it. Burned some serious rubber off my tires last weekend.It's a 2008 Chevy Silverado Z170--but they didn't have a 4WD in stock at the time and I thought, "I'll never drive it on ice anyway, it's a lease!"So! What are my options? If I sold the BP and bought a small gooseneck, would that help my problem?Or, do I just have to make sure I don't go anywhere "dangerous" for the next 33 months (the length of my lease)--that would be a real pain.All I was worried about was the power in the truck, not realizing how important 4WD is. I'm a tad bit angry with myself at this moment...Thanks for any advice you can give.
Posted 2008-02-27 11:40 AM (#78107 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
I've never leased and have no clue how those work, but won't the dealer work with you on upgrading to a 4x4? Seems like that would be a win-win deal if it's possible.
Posted 2008-02-27 12:00 PM (#78111 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
Also, a limited slip defferential would be of some assistance. People wonder why every puller here is 4WD, well, we live in the country, and we like to haul out west to hunt, so for the cost of 4WD, what it saves in wear and tear on the vehicle, tires etc,(as you just touched upon) added to resale value at the end, it does pay for itself. I would also try to upgrade or whatever... I have never leased either, so no help...sorry...
Posted 2008-02-27 12:20 PM (#78113 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Member
Posts: 6
Yes, I wish I'd known about this forum before I leased this truck (which I'm stuck with). Dumb question: is a limited slip differential something you can add to a truck? Thanks again. (and a gooseneck wouldn't help put some weight in the back to help the situation?)
Posted 2008-02-27 12:25 PM (#78115 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
Um, the limited slip is a from the factory deal, altho there are probably some folks who know how/have done it to change from one to the other... Not sure what alterations you can make to a lease rig? Does it have a gooseneck hookup in it, will they allow you to do that? Hate for you to go to that expense and then it not be a solution. As far as weight distribution to help with traction, it would help, but not knowing your situation, not sure if it would help sufficiently.... be nice if you could use a truck just like yours with a gooseneck hookup and back a (borrowed truck & trailer!) up where you are slipping now...
Posted 2008-02-27 12:34 PM (#78117 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Member
Posts: 6
No, it's not set up for a GN currently so I wouldn't be able to test it first--it's sounding like I'm just going to have to pick and choose my parking places really carefully for a while--I'm going to be a nervous wreck any time we go somewhere new. I even had a bit of a problem at the barn just trying to back it up a 6" rise of gravel--it's going to be a long three years!
Posted 2008-02-27 12:52 PM (#78119 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Go talk to the dealer, 4wd would be an "upgrade" may turn out better than you think. The G80 locker option on the rear would be of little help in the situation you are describing.
Posted 2008-02-27 1:10 PM (#78120 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Member
Posts: 6
I was looking at the options it has--it came with "locking rear differential"--I'm not quite sure what that is supposed to do? I will go back to the dealer and try to talk to someone higher up--thanks again.
Posted 2008-02-27 1:49 PM (#78124 - in reply to #78120) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by horseygal on 2008-02-27 1:10 PM I was looking at the options it has--it came with "locking rear differential"--I'm not quite sure what that is supposed to do? I will go back to the dealer and try to talk to someone higher up--thanks again.
Posted 2008-02-27 2:03 PM (#78125 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
What it does is, when one wheel starts to spin on your rear axle, the other engages and turns, to try to help with moving you. We have it on all ours, with 4WD. Since you already have it, and cannot make the moves you want easily, I would try to upgrade to 4WD if possible. Good luck
Posted 2008-02-27 2:45 PM (#78127 - in reply to #78113) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
Originally written by horseygal on 2008-02-27 12:20 PM
...and a gooseneck wouldn't help put some weight in the back to help the situation?
Yes, a GN would put more weight over the rear wheels, but it's hard to know if that will get you up the hill. If you go that route you will need to check your truck's GVWR, the rear GAWR, and the max trailer GVWR for your model of truck before buying the new GN trailer. You'll probably be limited to a relatively small GN trailer with a 1/2 ton truck. You'll also need to install a GN ball in the bed. Is it ok to poke holes in the bed on those lease trucks?
Posted 2008-02-27 9:12 PM (#78157 - in reply to #78155) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Member
Posts: 6
Originally written by martyg on 2008-02-27 9:58 PM
Just a tad curious, why are you pushing your trailer up a hill backwards?
Well...the day parking lot at this particular trailhead sits at the top of a hill--I got to the top and went ahead and turned around so I would be ready to drive out when we were done. There wasn't room to straighten up and back into my spot without first driving back down the hill a bit. When I tried to put the truck in reverse, I got nothing but wheel spinning and burning rubber. So I just planted the truck as far over to the side of the driveway as I could so as not to block anyone else.Is it not a common thing to sometimes have to reverse on an incline? We live in the mountains and it seems to be unavoidable at times--but perhaps I shouldn't have tried it?
Posted 2008-02-27 9:44 PM (#78161 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I think you know the answer with your question. You have the wrong truck for your needs and somehow have to get a different one.
Band aids won't help much; a WDH will take some of the traction off the rear wheels, an equilock differential can be installed at great expense, and may not be appreciated by the leasing company. Nothing is going to replace the four wheel drive you need.
Your only recourse is talking with the leasing company and see what they can offer. If you are locked in and they won't budge, you may have a purchase clause included in your lease. A worse case scenario might include the purchase and sale of the truck at a substantial loss, and starting over.
Unfortunately, I don't think there are any easy fixes for your problem.
Posted 2008-02-27 11:24 PM (#78169 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
New User
Posts: 3
Location: B.C
Just a thuoght. Perhaps your trailer breaks are applied while backing up. Like surge brakes(older trailers), or a wiring problem such as your back up lights are wired into to your brake circuit. Its worth getting it checked out.
Posted 2008-02-28 7:08 AM (#78174 - in reply to #78157) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by horseygal on 2008-02-27 9:12 PM
Originally written by martyg on 2008-02-27 9:58 PM
Just a tad curious, why are you pushing your trailer up a hill backwards?
Well...the day parking lot at this particular trailhead sits at the top of a hill--I got to the top and went ahead and turned around so I would be ready to drive out when we were done. There wasn't room to straighten up and back into my spot without first driving back down the hill a bit. When I tried to put the truck in reverse, I got nothing but wheel spinning and burning rubber. So I just planted the truck as far over to the side of the driveway as I could so as not to block anyone else. Is it not a common thing to sometimes have to reverse on an incline? We live in the mountains and it seems to be unavoidable at times--but perhaps I shouldn't have tried it?
Its perfectly common, but even with 4WD doesnt mean youll be able to back up. Ive got 4WD and had to get out the chain 2 weeks ago going up a hill.......backing up it would have been out of the question......barely made it up with another truck pulling me. A trailer makes a fine anchor.
Posted 2008-02-28 11:28 AM (#78199 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
Where we live is at the least rolling hills. I have hauled a bunch of cattle first and last, and most often the cattle pens are up on a knoll as it is the dryest ground, with drainage. To load the cattle one has to back up to the loading chute. Which means a reverse up a muddy slope to the chute front. This made for many interesting mad runs in reverse then lock it up and hope you don't destroy the fella's chute in stopping. Took timing, y'know? 4WD was a great aid for this! So the OP has my sympathies in knowing how badly sometimes you need to reverse even just a few feet uphill and it is nearly impossible! YUK!
Posted 2008-02-28 4:36 PM (#78244 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366 Location: Albany, Oregon
The only cheap band-aid I know is Mount a winch on the trailer...:)...most 2wd rigs also come with highway tread a good all terrain tire will help....all band-aids but cheaper than the swap will be!
Posted 2008-02-28 4:46 PM (#78245 - in reply to #78244) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by xyzer on 2008-02-28 5:36 PM
The only cheap band-aid I know is Mount a winch on the trailer...:)...most 2wd rigs also come with highway tread a good all terrain tire will help....all band-aids but cheaper than the swap will be!
Now theres an idea. Ive been threatening to buy a winch anyway, I get stuck way to often. Is it just me or is a diesel 4x4 useless off road?
A reciever mount winch would be slick........already have a front hitch on the truck, just mount a 2" reciever on the back of the trailer, some heavy duty power wire and Im in business............
Posted 2008-02-28 4:51 PM (#78246 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
Diesel 4WD works pretty good.... got rutted in , in Montana hunt, dug down to front tires and just chained them, pulled truck trailer mules etc dandy uphill in the heavy snow with no trouble, had spun out until then, the weight of that motor gave us traction and the chains bit in, never slipped again. Works pretty good in the mud, too, and that is with dual tires, would be even better with single rear wheels..... all provide you have some decent mud and snow tires, not necessarily mudders, but more than highway tread...
Posted 2008-02-29 3:30 PM (#78360 - in reply to #78105) Subject: RE: Bought the wrong truck--need advice
Regular
Posts: 57 Location: Red Wing, MN
I have an answer for one of the questions listed. I have a leased truck and put a gooseneck ball in. I called 3 dealers b4 I put it in and they all said the same thing.. "does it have a bed liner? (which it does). Take it out, put the hitch in. Before you bring it back, take the hitch out and put the liner back in."I would also talk to the dealer about changing vehicles. They are pretty easy to work with and you are upgrading, not down-grading. They like that. At least with Ford, you can switch out vehicles pretty easily without too bad of a financial hit. I was thinking about switching to a 3/4 ton a while back and they had all kinds of options for me/my lease.
Bought the wrong truck--need advice
