Ice Driving! Which engine layout is best?

I prefer RWD and a manual trans for couple of reasons. With RWD I can still steer it when I lose traction and with a manual I can use the motor to help slow the whole shebang down. My work truck that I put 50K a year on is a RWD F150 (I know but the company is footing the bill so I'll drive whatever they want me to) and the only time I have ever been stuck in snow was when I chose the plow drift over an oncoming idiot pinwheeling off of parked cars coming at me. My personal truck is a trusty old 12 valve dually dodge truck. Sure it's 4 wheel drive but I only use the four wheel drive in combo with the exhaust brake when rolling down the mountain pass. Uphill and around town is 2HI and throttle induced oversteer at will:-D