Slate testing on solid ice & snow at Baudette Proving Ground in MN (video)

[Luxrage]

I want to see the Slate video where they show how it handles a washboard curve at 30+ mph. Because I have known fear in my RWD Rangers in said conditions.

I hit a slalom washboard section of the Chicago Skyway going about 70 in a single cab '99 Ranger. Great way to go from 😁😁 to 🫥 🫥 silence in no time flat!

 

[jonboy108]

In my teens and twenties, I drove Corvairs and VWs. On one Corvair I had recapped tires, on the other I had (just becoming available) Semperit radials. The rear weight bias caused me no end of trouble as I overcooked corners (I was a teen with a four speed) but never once did I have any trouble in the winter. That was in northern Ohio with heavy snowfall in those days. The rear weight bias in those was pretty severe, so that the late model Corvairs used the same brake shoes as Pontiac Tempests, but reversed front to rear. I think the rear motored Slate, with the additional weight of the battery pack, will do just fine. I'm interested in how the De Dion rear suspension handles irregular pavement, as was pointed out, for example, on washboard roads or gravel...

 

[1974D2004X4]

In my teens and twenties, I drove Corvairs and VWs. On one Corvair I had recapped tires, on the other I had (just becoming available) Semperit radials. The rear weight bias caused me no end of trouble as I overcooked corners (I was a teen with a four speed) but never once did I have any trouble in the winter. That was in northern Ohio with heavy snowfall in those days. The rear weight bias in those was pretty severe, so that the late model Corvairs used the same brake shoes as Pontiac Tempests, but reversed front to rear. I think the rear motored Slate, with the additional weight of the battery pack, will do just fine. I'm interested in how the De Dion rear suspension handles irregular pavement, as was pointed out, for example, on washboard roads or gravel...

Oh how I would love that to work on 6-9o grades

 

[1974D2004X4]

Slate folks show that truck in testing running up and down STEEP grades with the AW tires and no chains and I might bite.

 

[1974D2004X4]

Slate folks show that truck in testing running up and down STEEP grades with the AW tires and no chains and I might bite.

I solved the 2WD issues and snow for those of us enjoying the Rocky Mountain High roads.

 

[AZFox]

I solved the 2WD issues and snow for those of us enjoying the Rocky Mountain High roads.

See also: a Super Beetle on All-Season tires

Pizza Cutter snow tires FTW.

 

[phidauex]

I think all that can really be said is that the Slate will do better than a typical compact pickup (due to the 50/50 weight distribution), but not as well as the same vehicle but with AWD included. Everyone will just have to decide where in that spectrum they are comfortable with (and what they are willing to do to improve it, such as owning a 2nd set of wheels with winter tires).

I'm on the CO front range, I tend to prefer AWD vehicles, and I put dedicated winter tires on my vehicles. That said, I live in the city, this won't be my primary vehicle, and I don't do the kind of overlanding trips I used to in my Tacoma (and probably won't for at least several more years until the kids are bigger).

I thought back in my mind, and realized I've put my Tacoma into 4WD exactly one time in the last 12 months, and it was to get out of a crowned parking spot with an empty bed.

Ultimately, I'd buy an AWD version of the Slate if it were available, but at the moment my needs don't justify it, and I don't feel like waiting 2 years and $4000. If things go awesome for Slate, maybe I'd upgrade in 2032.

 

[AZFox]

Second Set of Wheels problem will be easy to solve by buying a set of custom wheels and tires I wanted to buy anyway.

For practicality's sake...

 

[1974D2004X4]

Second Set of Wheels problem will be easy to solve by buying a set of custom wheels and tires I wanted to buy anyway.

For practicality's sake...

That’s great for you AZ but when I buy a truck I want the wheel tire options that work for me, not SLATE.

 

[AZFox]

That’s great for you AZ but when I buy a truck I want the wheel tire options that work for me, not SLATE.

Maybe both?

Working for you and working for Slate don't need to be mutually exclusive.

I'm still hanging in suspense about what happens to bumpers and stock wheels and tires if someone upgrades from the get-go.