Driving a rear wheel drive vehicle

[EVfun]

If you don't have RWD how are you going to kick the back end out long enough to practice your cross steering?

 

[tubes]

I appreciate everyone's perspectives and stories. You've convinced me I'll be fine.

The funny thing is I remember in the early 80s the news people frequently had stories about driving FWD since RWD was going away quickly. People were freaked out by FWD.

My memory of FWD was from the early 70s pushing those huge Olds Toronados out of the snow. We learned tricks on RWD cars like all leaning on the bumper. But then a neighbor had a Toronado, and it is like: "What do we do with this thing?" There we are pushing down on the back bumper as we push, and we're actually lifting the front drive wheels.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

If I could drive my manual shift Miata 365 days a year for a decade, in New England snow, on summer tires - then anyone here can drive their Slate anywhere.

My Miata was my daily driver in rural MA. Snow, ice, rain - the top was down on my 20 minute back-roads commute to work.

 

[SailorDan]

One responder who has driven regular rear-drive pick-up trucks mentioned axle hop as a problem on bumpy roads. I believe the Slate has a De Dion rear suspension rather than the typical solid axle found on a standard pick-up truck. If so, that should eliminate axle hop.

Ford Maverick pick-ups come standard with front-wheel drive, which might be a different problem when asking them to do pick-up trucks things, like carry big loads or pull a heavy trailer. Honda Ridgeline doesn't offer FWD anymore, just AWD. The Hyundai Santa Cruz stills offers FWD as an option, but only on the bottom end SEL model; otherwise AWD is the only choice. I have no info on the upcoming Ford EV pick-up truck drive options. Anyone?

 

[tubes]

One responder who has driven regular rear-drive pick-up trucks mentioned axle hop as a problem on bumpy roads. I believe the Slate has a De Dion rear suspension rather than the typical solid axle found on a standard pick-up truck. If so, that should eliminate axle hop.

OK, so that's what I was looking at in the Munro video. I'm a car-guy light, not an in depth car guy. Thanks for the information!

 

[ScooterAsheville]

One responder who has driven regular rear-drive pick-up trucks mentioned axle hop as a problem on bumpy roads. I believe the Slate has a De Dion rear suspension rather than the typical solid axle found on a standard pick-up truck. If so, that should eliminate axle hop.

Ford Maverick pick-ups come standard with front-wheel drive, which might be a different problem when asking them to do pick-up trucks things, like carry big loads or pull a heavy trailer. Honda Ridgeline doesn't offer FWD anymore, just AWD. The Hyundai Santa Cruz stills offers FWD as an option, but only on the bottom end SEL model; otherwise AWD is the only choice. I have no info on the upcoming Ford EV pick-up truck drive options. Anyone?

Ford has stated there will be an AWD option for the new UEV at launch.

As a Maverick driver for 4 years (AWD), I can attest that the independent 4-wheel suspension you get with AWD rocks. But nobody driving the FWD has complained about vehicle dynamics or capability since launch. Some regret they didn't get the 4K tow package, but Maverick behavior under load is exemplary.

 

[The Weatherman]

One responder who has driven regular rear-drive pick-up trucks mentioned axle hop as a problem on bumpy roads. I believe the Slate has a De Dion rear suspension rather than the typical solid axle found on a standard pick-up truck. If so, that should eliminate axle hop.

Ford Maverick pick-ups come standard with front-wheel drive, which might be a different problem when asking them to do pick-up trucks things, like carry big loads or pull a heavy trailer. Honda Ridgeline doesn't offer FWD anymore, just AWD. The Hyundai Santa Cruz stills offers FWD as an option, but only on the bottom end SEL model; otherwise AWD is the only choice. I have no info on the upcoming Ford EV pick-up truck drive options. Anyone?

If not mistaking the Hyundai Santa Cruz is no longer being produced. It was canceled this year.

 

[E90400K]

Ford has stated there will be an AWD option for the new UEV at launch.

As a Maverick driver for 4 years (AWD), I can attest that the independent 4-wheel suspension you get with AWD rocks. But nobody driving the FWD has complained about vehicle dynamics or capability since launch. Some regret they didn't get the 4K tow package, but Maverick behavior under load is exemplary.

So, what I think I noticed for the Maverick 2026, is the 4,000-pound tow package is now only available with the AWD chassis configuration. IIRC, previous years one could have the 4K tow package with the FWD configuration. Please correct me if I have that wrong.

 

[SailorDan]

Scooter in Asheville:
Good to hear that the FWD Mavericks have a good rep. Probably my next choice if the Slate goes bottom up. (But I will still pay the extra for your AWD platform!) Do you know what the Ford UEV none-AWD package is? FWD or RWD? I have been driving RWD trucks for 30 years, so I am used to that, FWD and RWD cars that aren't trucks for far longer than that.

 

[SailorDan]

The Weatherman:
I did not know that the Hyundai Santa Cruz was cancelled. My local Hyundai dealer still has 2026 Santa Cruz models in stock. Did they cancel the 2027 model?

 

[ScooterAsheville]

Scooter in Asheville:
Good to hear that the FWD Mavericks have a good rep. Probably my next choice if the Slate goes bottom up. (But I will still pay the extra for your AWD platform!) Do you know what the Ford UEV none-AWD package is? FWD or RWD? I have been driving RWD trucks for 30 years, so I am used to that, FWD and RWD cars that aren't trucks for far longer than that.

Yes, AWD on the Maverick is an upcharge. When I bought my 2022 XLT with luxury package and AWD, it cost me $30,500 out the door. Inflation and demand led to ugly price increases. Today that's more like $36,500 out the door after discounts. Not quite the bargain it was 5 years ago.

All the order details on the Ford UEV are likely to be announced 12 January, at the Detroit Auto Show. Here's a few links if you're interested....

https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us/en/universal-electric-vehicle-platform​

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https://www.rancheroforum.com/​

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https://www.ford.com/spotted/​

I'm personally 50-50 on Slate vs Ford. I'm content to watch and learn from others. I'll make my decision next summer.

 

[JoeUser]

I think the RWD vs FWD is far less important these days than EV vs ICE. Electric motors have an order of magnitude faster sampling and response times, allowing far better traction control than is possible on an ICE car. That’s why an EV can have such repeatable 60ft times, but a similarly powered modern ICE vehicle will have huge variations depending on driver.

Any EV with a decent traction control system, regardless of front or rear wheel drive, will do absolutely fine in the rain.

I wouldn’t worry about that in the slightest.

 

[metroshot]

.....
I'm personally 50-50 on Slate vs Ford. I'm content to watch and learn from others. I'll make my decision next summer.

Same here.

Currently do not have a need for the Slate - just a want.

I love Ford's EV so far over the past 4 years so I am looking forward to the UEV.

 

[Nivek]

I live in Michigan with all sorts of lovely weather. I have had 2 Tahoes over the years, the first being 4WD, the second one being RWD. With the first I learned that I hardly ever needed to use 4WD in the winter and really only used it once or twice a winter. As long as you understand your vehicle's dynamics, RWD isnt bad at all. I run some decent all terrains, and after a pretty snowy/icy winter last year I had no problems with RWD. If I was concerned I would throw some snow tires on it, they make a world of difference in my opinion.

 

[pdxmotorhead]

It is a nonissue. The Slates even balance prevents many of the old RWD concerns.

I had a RWD Model 3 tesla, had it 4 years, I now have a AWD Model Y, the 3 was like a 60's v8 mustang for slick surface handling, it would get stuck in 1" of snow..

AWD in EV's doesn't really need 2 high power drive units, My 911 C4 uses a viscous coupler to activate the front drive when the rear wheels spin its very smooth, but he darn Haldex unit is sooo pricy to replace if it wears out. It only lets 40% of the engines power to the front rear is a solid drive I think this would work on the slate have a output shaft on the rear drive unit and a gap to run a driveline forward to a light duty front diff. Or put hub drive motors in the front with a combined 40 ish horsepower and put the "clutch" for the front at the rear bolted to the rear drive unit.

At least the slate has room for real tire chains..