f250 4wd vs f250 2wd

ronrox18 · 08-27-2018, 08:10 PM

Can anyone compare the ride comfort ( by personal experience) between f250 4wd and f250 2wd while towing 32' 5th wheel. I will no longer be in winter conditions but WANT TO STAY W /3/4 TON. Currently tow w 2015 FX off road package but not happy w ride quality. Thanks.

SeaDog · 08-29-2018, 08:05 AM

Welcome to the forum its a great place to get your questions answered. I have been in both while towing (stock trailers with gooseneck) I thought the ride was comparable with that said there was a major difference when maneuvering in a wet stockyard the two wheel struggled.

wrvond · 08-29-2018, 08:14 AM

The ride is going to be essentially the same. IIRC the FX package adds skid plates, hill descent mode, Rancho branded shock absorbers, and an FX2 or FX4 sticker on the quarter panels.
The shock absorbers wear out quickly, so really have no long term affect. Hill descent mode is useless in two wheel drive really, and the skid plates don't do much of anything anyway. If you want to off road, there are better made after market plates available. So mostly, the FX package adds a bit of weight and reduces cargo carrying capacity, as does four wheel drive if you never use it. I've used 4WD six or seven times this month so far. Very handy in mud or even wet grass.

IsleDog · 08-29-2018, 08:16 AM

i have towed with a 2wd expedition and now a 4x4 f150. the expedition did pretty well for being 2wd and we could always "make it work". you do NOT need 4x4 for towing. your tow capacity will probably go up without it. there are enough people around with 4x4 and straps if you do get stuck. that said, getting stuck is a horrible, humbling, vulnerable feeling. been there, done that, got the t-shirt. i have not had to use the 4x4 on the truck while camping yet. but there are times when i see others on here that DO need it and are really glad they have it.

usually ride quality can be easily changed with a different set of shocks. they control the rebound of your springs. too soft and you "float", too stiff and you feel like your on a bucking bull. i have never ridden in a truck and could tell if it was 4x4 or not by the ride.

rclogg · 08-29-2018, 08:51 AM

We just had to use our 4WD to get up a sandy steep hill leaving a campground. Yes here in Michigan we need it for snow, but its nice to know I can usually pull my 5er out if thing get loose or sticky.

llr · 08-29-2018, 09:21 AM

personally I would want at least a locking rear end for towing 4x4 is better.

My last truck didn't have the locking rear end and I needed 4WD sometimes in my own yard which is very flat. My current truck has the lacking rear and I don't use 4WD nearly as much.

Muletrain · 08-29-2018, 09:21 AM

Ride will depend on how the 4 wheel drive truck is setup. Manufacturers make a couple of suspensions with the 4WD. Snow Plow , off road, extended height (raised), etc.
I have a 4WD Chevy and the ride is like a normal PU with the normal truck suspension. My experience in pulling is it is better to have 4WD if you need it then not. Getting my boat up a moss covered ramp is one great example. If you fail, you get to go for a swim.
Mule

ronrox18 · 08-29-2018, 11:52 AM

Thanks to all for the info. Guess I’ll stick to the 4 wd . Maybe upgrade to more luxurious interior for wife’s comfort

woodrockin · 08-29-2018, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronrox18

Thanks to all for the info. Guess I’ll stick to the 4 wd . Maybe upgrade to more luxurious interior for wife’s comfort

You could always look into a shock / spring change. That will probably decrease your payload though.

dwcjb · 08-29-2018, 12:27 PM

I tow with F250 long box crew cab 2wd diesel. The shocks were replaced long ago as OEM is garbage. I have a trail air hitch on a 38 ft 12,000 lb fifth wheel with LT tires. Also air bags on rear axle of TV. Comfortable loaded or unloaded. In fact we prefer to use this rather than suv for trips to the beach or Reno. We live in the western US so when we go to Arizona seasonally we time our mountain crossing in Southern Oregon and have an alternate route in case of ice and snow. So far in 4 years no issues. 4 wd is more maintenance and rougher ride, IMHO, but if you need it you need it. I’m lucky all the boat ramps I use are concrete.

johnruff · 08-29-2018, 01:30 PM

After getting stuck in sugar sand in FL trying to back the fiver into a campsite with my F250 2WD and then having to get a 4WD kind person to pull us both out, I will never go back to a 2WD again. The ride when hooked up is great - I towed as a goose neck hook up on the Prime Time

Grapehound · 08-29-2018, 01:33 PM

I think that the thinking that you only need 4WD if you live in a cold climate is a bit short sighted. You could be in a beautiful campground and have a monsoon type rainstorm which creates mud and traction issues around your site or on the unimproved roads in and out. Steep hills where you have to stop or start up again in wet grass or mud could require 4WD when towing. Who would you wake up to tow you out when arriving at 10am or leaving at 6AM? I prefer to have the 4WD; if I need, it it's there. Those who live out west usually prefer self-sufficiency due to the distances from help.

I always insist on locking differential too and it's really good to have with 2WD though not a substitute for 4WD. If you're not sure if your truck or a prospective truck has locking dif, the axle code will tell you on the door jamb. RPO codes for Ford or GM axles are online.

rlh1957 · 08-29-2018, 01:51 PM

IMO as a owner of F250 4WD, if you aren't driving in snow or ice, aren't going camping off road and dont have soft ground or mud to contend with you shouldnt need it.
But then tomorrow comes and that slight hill is slick wet clay and two tires spin trying to pull my rig up... that's when 4WD is nice.

1984fireball · 08-29-2018, 01:57 PM

I just had Bilstien 5100 installed and Air bags and Nitto AT tires load rating F.
It made a huge difference in the ride. Loving it

Tundra 2014 · 08-29-2018, 02:17 PM

The suspension is stronger and better built on the 4WD in regards to towing. Less change in camber and caster on front end under load. I thought about saving a few dollars, but after talking to several oil and gas equipment mechanics, the 4 wheel drive is the way to go. Also the down hill braking is much better. I currently have 4WD, live in Texas. I do not normally need, but it has saved me often enough to stay w/ it.

mnoland30 · 08-29-2018, 04:55 PM

We arrived at an accident scene and fire on a two lane road a few weeks ago. 4WD sure came in handy to turn around on a soft shoulder and avoid a 3 or 4 hour wait.

elchilero53 · 08-29-2018, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tundra 2014

The suspension is stronger and better built on the 4WD in regards to towing. Less change in camber and caster on front end under load. I thought about saving a few dollars, but after talking to several oil and gas equipment mechanics, the 4 wheel drive is the way to go. Also the down hill braking is much better. I currently have 4WD, live in Texas. I do not normally need, but it has saved me often enough to stay w/ it.

Exactly. The off-road versions have a beefier suspension and components. I do occasionally get out off road and have needed my 4WD on a number of occasions including in mud and snow this last winter in northeastern Utah. of course having heavier components and a transaxle/transfer case does add weight and reduces you payload a bit but not significantly enough to be a concern. If you are THAT close on payload, then you probably want to go up one size on the tow vehicle (F250 to F350 for example).

uhduh camping · 08-29-2018, 07:52 PM

Having 4low on a unlocked front axle can be a great way to backup a steep slope with more control. I have used 4wd more with trailer than without.

tomkatb · 08-29-2018, 07:56 PM

It is my understanding that few 2wd trucks are sold. Thus resale is harder.

Our 4wd 3/4 ton truck rides ok. You get used to it. It is swell on good highways. Awful on washboards.

It is the wife's truck. She likes it.

Next truck will be a 1 ton with the fancy factory air ride in the back. No. I do not expect it to ride better.

Wolverine 1945 · 08-30-2018, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rclogg

We just had to use our 4WD to get up a sandy steep hill leaving a campground. Yes here in Michigan we need it for snow, but its nice to know I can usually pull my 5er out if thing get loose or sticky.

Don't need 4 X offen,,, but when we do,,, we do !!!

My old 2003 F150 4X4 still rides pretty good !!!

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