I've got a 2020 Explorer Loaner

[85_Ranger4x4]

Fluid film!


I mean, the solution is obvious. Another ranger.

I think a first gen Explorer something like TRS2 would be slick...

So the Edge may, or may not be suitable for what I need. I'm guessing it won't go through the 12 inches of snow on my driveway?

With enough momentum you can move mountains. Don’t be shy, them bumper covers are resilient.

Depending on grade, how much 12” snow there is (solid or a 2’ wide drift) and dumb luck you might be ok.

I live in Iowa and would not tolerate one for my only vehicle.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

With enough momentum you can move mountains. Don’t be shy, them bumper covers are resilient.

Depending on grade, how much 12” snow there is (solid or a 2’ wide drift) and dumb luck you might be ok.

I live in Iowa and would not tolerate one for my only vehicle.

Well, my driveway is about 60 feet, and I back my vehicle in all the way to the back end of it. The day I was talking about, the entire driveway had that 12 inches, and some areas had more (like the spot where the drift was four feet.

I was pretty amazed at what my Fit could go through, with studded winter tires. So, maybe that would be the answer. I doubt the Fit, or even my Taurus, even with studded winter tires, would have made it into the driveway, but an Edge probably could. The 2012-2019 Escape, likely not (it's lower than an Edge). An Explorer would be even more likely to make it in.

The other consideration for me, is would 4x4 vs AWD make a difference? My understanding is that there are two differences:
1) 4WD can be engaged or disengaged, depending on the driver's desire, where AWD is always engaged
2) 4WD, when engaged, will split power 50/50 on dry pavement (but some systems allow for some slippage), where AWD will split power 100/0 on dry pavement, but, when needed, will split power up to 50/50 (or anywhere in between, depending on traction).

So, the question, then, is this: When push comes to shove, are they equally capable for what I'm using the vehicle for? Do I NEED 4WD? Or will AWD be sufficient?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ours goes good until it gets high centered. Shod on non studded Firestone Destination LE tires.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

My wifes 2010 escape with BF goodrich radial long trails is aboout helpless in the snow. Granted its 2wd but my ranger (even empty) seems to get around better.

Either of my 2wd 3/4 tons riding on BFG A/Ts will walk right past either.

 

[Ramcharger90]

What is this rusting away you speak of??? That doesn't happen down here...

Crawl under their or drop the rear subframe you will see where all the dirt is sitting.

 

[wildbill23c]

Well, my driveway is about 60 feet, and I back my vehicle in all the way to the back end of it. The day I was talking about, the entire driveway had that 12 inches, and some areas had more (like the spot where the drift was four feet.

I was pretty amazed at what my Fit could go through, with studded winter tires. So, maybe that would be the answer. I doubt the Fit, or even my Taurus, even with studded winter tires, would have made it into the driveway, but an Edge probably could. The 2012-2019 Escape, likely not (it's lower than an Edge). An Explorer would be even more likely to make it in.

The other consideration for me, is would 4x4 vs AWD make a difference? My understanding is that there are two differences:
1) 4WD can be engaged or disengaged, depending on the driver's desire, where AWD is always engaged
2) 4WD, when engaged, will split power 50/50 on dry pavement (but some systems allow for some slippage), where AWD will split power 100/0 on dry pavement, but, when needed, will split power up to 50/50 (or anywhere in between, depending on traction).

So, the question, then, is this: When push comes to shove, are they equally capable for what I'm using the vehicle for? Do I NEED 4WD? Or will AWD be sufficient?

I'd rather go with 4WD, typically its engaged with power being sent to both axles all the time where an AWD system is typically front wheel drive or rear wheel drive until enough traction has been lost that it finally decides to try and move the power around and usually you are already stuck by then LOL...especially in the deep stuff. I was surprised what the AWD system in the RAV4 I had as a loaner for a week did but I wasn't having to try and drive over hard compacted snow drifts from the plow, I doubt it would go through that, but in the 10 inches of snow we had I was surprised how it handled even with the crappy summer tires on it, would have done better with snow tires of course, but you still had that delay in power transition. It did have a AWD lock button which helped a lot to get going through center medians where they had the snow pushed into, as well as getting started from a stop at an icy intersection, but I'd rather have my part time 4WD system in my Bronco 2, or F250, or the selec-trac 4WD system in my Jeep Grand Cherokee....even in full time 4WD mode in my Grand Cherokee its sending 48% front and 52% rear, great for highway use where road conditions are always changing, and for parking lots. Plus I still have part time 4WD mode 50/50 torque split for the nasty stuff, plus a rear limited slip differential.

IDK, maybe checkout the Jeep Grand Cherokee, they do offer them with quadra-drive which gives a limited slip rear differential, if you go back to the WJ Grand Cherokees (1999-2004) you could get the quadra-drive system and front and rear limited slip differentials, in 2005 they discontinued the front limited slip sadly. Newer models have the selec-terrain system which will start you off in 2nd gear in snow mode to help keep wheel spin to a minimum. Plus you still have low range 4WD too, which many of today's SUV's and crossovers are lacking.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The drifts are up to 2.5'. Packed hard too. Might be good igloo material....

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'd rather go with 4WD, typically its engaged with power being sent to both axles all the time where an AWD system is typically front wheel drive or rear wheel drive until enough traction has been lost that it finally decides to try and move the power around and usually you are already stuck by then LOL...especially in the deep stuff. I was surprised what the AWD system in the RAV4 I had as a loaner for a week did but I wasn't having to try and drive over hard compacted snow drifts from the plow, I doubt it would go through that, but in the 10 inches of snow we had I was surprised how it handled even with the crappy summer tires on it, would have done better with snow tires of course, but you still had that delay in power transition. It did have a AWD lock button which helped a lot to get going through center medians where they had the snow pushed into, as well as getting started from a stop at an icy intersection, but I'd rather have my part time 4WD system in my Bronco 2, or F250, or the selec-trac 4WD system in my Jeep Grand Cherokee....even in full time 4WD mode in my Grand Cherokee its sending 48% front and 52% rear, great for highway use where road conditions are always changing, and for parking lots. Plus I still have part time 4WD mode 50/50 torque split for the nasty stuff, plus a rear limited slip differential.

Your results may vary, our Edge's AWD is pretty seemless.

Also when comparing ground clearance specs... there is a difference between a differential being 8.5" off the ground and a floor pan being 8.5" off the ground. It will sound pretty similar in the brochure but will not be similar in real life. They just go off of the lowest point of the vehicle when they measure that...

 

[sgtsandman]

Well, I doubt I'd be taking it into the middle of the farmer's field. But, wet gravel possibly (but not likely) a dirt road.......

Hmm. 2019 Escape is 7.8 inches. Edge is 8.0. Explorer is 8.2. Something tells me neither of them will get through a 12 inch drift, let alone into or out of my driveway when it has 12 inches of snow on it.

Keep in mind the clearance measurement is from the lowest point on the vehicle. That could be the axle pumpkin or the unit body depending on the design. A lot of vehicles are being designed so all the mechanical bits and tubing is tucked up into the structure for better aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. You may need to take a peek under to see if that measuerment is from a small point or a large one like the whole under body.

 

[sooperxtool]

I have owned a few Subarus and you would be surprised what it takes to get one stuck in snow. I would argue they have the best awd system you can get. Throw some blizzak tires on and clearance is hardly even an issue.

 

[Uncle Gump]

The Baby Bronco is coming this year... built on the escape platform. Not a bunch of info at the moment but will be a new entry with "stated" off-road capability.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Keep in mind the clearance measurement is from the lowest point on the vehicle. That could be the axle pumpkin or the unit body depending on the design. A lot of vehicles are being designed so all the mechanical bits and tubing is tucked up into the structure for better aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. You may need to take a peek under to see if that measuerment is from a small point or a large one like the whole under body.

So if the entire under body is at 8 inches, nine inches you're not getting through nine inches of snow. But if a small piece (or a few small pieces) is at 8 inches, but the rest of the body is at 12 inches, you can get through a drift up to the bottom of the body itself? Is that the idea?

 

[8thTon]

Don't on me for not buying a sedan, so that your SUV can handle like the truck you want it to be. Don't on me for wanting my small(ish) SUV to handle like a car. Consider that the SUV market has adapted because people like me are buying them. People who want a capable people mover that still handles like a car, has lots of room for cargo, and (in the case of a lot of rural people that live in my area) ground clearance because we drive on gravel roads that get muddy when it rains, and offers AWD or 4WD for that muddy gravel road, and the snow that doesn't get plowed as fast in my small town as it does in the city, or blows in more because there's nothing to stop it.

Yup. My wife and I each have very small performance front wheel drive hatchbacks for daily drivers. We're looking at a small SUV that is a bit larger and more comfortable for longer trips with more passengers, and can carry more cargo - a small station wagon, but with a bit of power, an AWD system for good snow/rain traction (not off road), and still decent handling and economy. There's even one with a manual trans we want. That is what people buy these for, not for off road. We don't want it lifted too high as that would ruin the on-road handling.

In the same way nobody buys full size trucks for use as trucks, they're just 4dr sedans. Even when you see a truck with one of the serious off-road packages it's likely just for show and is rarely if ever taken off road.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

I have owned a few Subarus and you would be surprised what it takes to get one stuck in snow. I would argue they have the best awd system you can get. Throw some blizzak tires on and clearance is hardly even an issue.

Subaru *does* have some interesting stuff. But their nearest dealer has a reputation for being crooked. Funnily enough, about ten years ago, Subaru tried to set up a different dealer in the city, and this dealership sued to get Subaru back under their roof (from memory, can't verify). I looked on Subaru's website this morning, and found that their base price is more than the equipped price (vehicle equipped with the options I want) of a comparable Ford.

I did like the Justy I had (go away, PJ!), but parts were hard to get for it. I drove and liked dad's GL, too. By the way, that Justy could go through a lot, but I did manage to get it stuck (I high centered it on a plow ridge that I thought I could get through - it didn't look that high, and I thought it was soft).

 

[8thTon]

Well, my driveway is about 60 feet, and I back my vehicle in all the way to the back end of it. The day I was talking about, the entire driveway had that 12 inches, and some areas had more (like the spot where the drift was four feet.

I was pretty amazed at what my Fit could go through, with studded winter tires. So, maybe that would be the answer. I doubt the Fit, or even my Taurus, even with studded winter tires, would have made it into the driveway, but an Edge probably could. The 2012-2019 Escape, likely not (it's lower than an Edge). An Explorer would be even more likely to make it in.

The other consideration for me, is would 4x4 vs AWD make a difference? My understanding is that there are two differences:
1) 4WD can be engaged or disengaged, depending on the driver's desire, where AWD is always engaged
2) 4WD, when engaged, will split power 50/50 on dry pavement (but some systems allow for some slippage), where AWD will split power 100/0 on dry pavement, but, when needed, will split power up to 50/50 (or anywhere in between, depending on traction).

So, the question, then, is this: When push comes to shove, are they equally capable for what I'm using the vehicle for? Do I NEED 4WD? Or will AWD be sufficient?

My wife's Fiesta ST obviously has little clearance, but with 4 Prielli snow tires the thing is unstoppable in snow or ice otherwise.

The 4WD vs AWD debate has been going on forever. The difference is if you have a differential or not. If not then power is sent to each wheel regardless of if it has traction, but then it cannot turn at a different speed. This works the same on each axle as it does from front to back - in turns all 4 wheels must turn at a different speed if the tire is not slipping. As soon as you introduce a differential into the system, then power is not sent to both
wheels/axles, it is sent to the one with least traction. You must add something else to try to fix that, but all such systems are reacting to slip before they work, whether it be friction (clutch packs, Torsen), viscous couplings, or a processor activating the brake on the spinning wheel. It must already be slipping before it works.

On the road AWD beats 4WD most of the time because without a differential you can't have it engaged for a lot of nasty conditions.

I used to be into full sized Jeeps (Grand Wagoneers), and all the ones I had came with the NP229 viscous coupled transfer case and the front axles turned all the time. With a limited slip in the back they had impressive traction in any on-road condition, and probably were decent off road but serious off road is not my thing. We had a 2004 Santa Fe that had a similar system and was also great in snow. Both were gas pigs, though the Jeeps were obviously worse. The computer controlled systems that engage clutches and/or activate brakes can get around that mileage problem.