The front and rear differentials feed power to the wheels without traction and won't let the gripping wheels move. A locked center differential is not recommended for pavement use, however, as it severely degrades turning abilities and increases drivetrain wear. A handful of vehicles can be ordered with manually operated locking front or rear differentials. In locked mode, the left and rear wheels of a particular axle receive the same amount of power. If one wheel doesn't have traction, the locked differential doesn't let it spin.
Full power is delivered to the wheel with traction, and the truck moves ahead.
It is similar to ABS, but in this case it is used in low-speed situations. When wheel slippage is detected, the system applies brake pressure to the wheel that is slipping, effectively doing the same job that a limited-slip or locked differential does. Light-truck tires are noisier while driving on pavement, but they usually are more resistant to flats and sidewall damage. They will also have tread designs that will be better suited for off-road situations. It makes complete sense for truck and SUV manufacturers to build vehicles that have car-like characteristics.