Beyond its tall height, there are other reasons why pick-up trucks are more prone to accidents

Over the weekend, a pick-up truck crashed into a Hyundai Starex, resulting in the tragic death of four passengers in the Starex.

Soon afterwards, social media platforms went ablaze with people questioning how a pick-up truck lost control.

Aren’t pick-up trucks fitted with 4WD?

While almost all pick-up trucks in Malaysia are fitted with a 4WD system, the answer isn’t quite so straightforward.

Although the pick-up truck in this incident has a 4WD system, it is actually a part-time 4WD system, which typically runs in a 2WD mode most of the time, as this puts less strain on the 4WD system, thus improving overall powertrain efficiency. 

The full-blown 4WD system (4L or 4H) is typically deployed when the driver has to tackle off-road stuff. With 4L mode engaged, pick-up trucks are generally capped to 80 km/h.

In fact, running in 4L or 4H modes on paved roads will do serious damage your truck's transmission. 

The only exception to this is the Mitsubishi Triton and its Super Select 4WD II system, allowing for the truck to be driven on paved roads with 4WD mode engaged.

Also Read: This is why the Mitsubishi Triton’s Super Select 4WD is the best

2WD mode is more efficient, but watch out for oversteer

While the full-blown 4WD modes offer superior traction on loose surfaces, it is quite the opposite on paved roads. On paved roads where traction is higher, pick-up truck drivers should engage 2WD mode.

Now, with 2WD mode engaged, power is routed to the rear wheels, regardless of pick-up truck model. And while this is good for powertrain efficiency, there is a trade-off.

The trade-off is that a rear-wheel drive (RWD) pick-up truck has a higher risk of oversteering, especially in the wet, compared to a front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicle. In fact, the risk is amplified through a wider corner.

With RWD mode engaged, a pick-up truck is more prone to oversteering than other vehicles. This is because pick-up trucks are designed to haul heavy load at the rear. There are plenty of RWD cars on the streets and they do just fine.

Also Read: Mythbusters: Rear-wheel drive cars don't understeer

If the pick-up truck you’re driving starts to oversteer, it can get difficult to control, but if you find yourself in such a situation, here’s what you should do:

• Keep calm and ease your foot off the accelerator pedal
• Gradually turn your steering wheel towards the angle of the slide. For example, if your vehicle is sliding towards the right, you should point your steering wheel towards that angle
• General rule of the thumb is that you have to look at where you want to go towards, as you will subconsciously aim at where your eyes look towards
• Whatever it is, do not attempt to steer at the wrong direction or stomp on the brakes. Doing so will only worsen the outcome

While modern-day pick-up trucks come with stability control, there's only that much it can do to mitigate an oversteer situation, as it cannot defy the laws of physics.

Also Read: Priced from RM 101k, drift-ready Isuzu D-Max Auto Plus 4x2 launched in Malaysia

Weight distribution is another concern

In short, an empty pick-up truck has a higher risk of oversteering or fishtailing. Recall that in 2WD mode, all of the truck’s power is transferred to the rear wheels. 

Without the heavy load a pick-up truck is designed to carry on its truck bed, its weight distribution is below its designed operation range.

No load over rear axle means no traction on the rear. 

To reduce chances of oversteering or fishtailing, pick-up truck owners should not leave their truck beds empty. Instead, some weights or storage compartment should be fitted.

Keep in mind the position of where the weights are installed. If installed wrongly, it could make things worse and. Just remember to keep it secured.

Last but not least – How’s the tyre condition?

Your 200 PS, 500 Nm pick-up truck is nothing if the tyre condition is poor. Even the most sophisticated 4WD system or traction control system, as they are utterly useless if the tyres are bald.

Tyre are the only contact patch between your vehicle and the road surface, so it’s vital to ensure that your tyres are in tip-top condition.

Also Read: Own a pick-up truck or SUV? Michelin's LTX Trail is a new tyre option for you

Conclusion – 4WD isn’t almighty and you cannot defy the laws of physics

Just because a pick-up truck has 4WD, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it can out-maneuver a regular 2WD sedan/hatchback, as a pick-up truck is still inheritedly heavier and taller.

Remember, the average pick-up truck weighs 2 tonnes, almost double of a regular sedan / hatchback. Couple the weight with higher speeds, an out-of-control pick-up truck is nothing short of a large projectile. And the end result, unfortunately, can often times be deadly, as witnessed in the accident over the weekend.

Even with the most sophisticated 4WD system or stability control cannot defy the laws of physics, so it’s crucial to drive your pick-up truck responsibly.