Thoughts on 4x4 Tow Vehicles

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by Lloydg

Do they even make a 2 wheel drive truck?

Lol. I don't know why except delivery/commercial.


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[Rick_Geneseo]

Have had one 4x2. Never again.

[Homebrew]

We were at great campground in NY. We decided to drive around the campground looking at different sites. The speed limit was 5 mph and we were driving up a steep gravel hill and lost traction with are 3500 DRW truck. We tried backing down the hill several times but ended up shooting stones everywhere. Once we turn the 4x4 knob on the dash we were fine.

If your going to camp and you have a diesel you need a 4x4.


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[Campahedu]

I would have to agree with most of the other post. It doesn't make sense to have anything but 4WD. Maybe its just my Maine background but like an earlier post said, it's like a parachute. You may not need it often but when you do, you're glad you have it. And even though I live where it snows 6 months, I have had to use many a time on sand and grass... in July.

[wrvond]

Originally Posted by Ejs4029

Just curious to the opinions of forum members of having 4 wheel drive capability for their TV ? I personally thought it was always something I wanted in a TV whether I used it frequently or not so when I replaced my TV in September it was something I was looking for although I live in Southern CA it gives me peace of mind should my travels take me to the mountains or driving on Pismo Beach plus the fact it only adds a few $$$ to the already high price of a new truck and I believe it helps the resale. I realize in some parts of the country in the Winter it's a necessity perhaps other parts of the Country not so much so...Let's hear your thoughts.

4x4 isn't for everyone, and it isn't always necessary. Like everything else it is just a tool for specific situations. If I lived in flat country and never saw ice, snow, or low traction conditions I'd consider two wheel drive, but I'd have a good winch mounted in the bumper.

[MillerTime]

My truck and dw's vehicles are always 4wd. I might get a little 2wd for a commuter, but most likely stick with a car for my commuter.

Im like the rest, diesels....4wd is a must, wet grass and an incline...4wd is a must. Gravel camp grounds with cement pads.....4wd will be a must at some point, the gravel erodes away from the pad and its hard to push a trailer up that lip sometimes.

To each their own, but never heard of anybody regretting 4wd.

[kholmes]

Living up here in Saskatchewan, Canada having a truck without 4x4 is not an option especially in the winter months. With that being said,i find my self still having to use it in the summer months to manouver in those not so common campsites in the middle of nowhere. Also now a days most trucks up here are 4x4 and it would most likely have to order it from factory. Get a 4x4!!

[Rmk2001800]

Originally Posted by mud yapster

My last 8 trucks were 4x4 and 8' long beds, there is no reason to buy half a truck, get the long bed 4x4 and haul your stuff most anywhere you want.

Agreed......

[Ditchdigger]

I have had 2X4s in the passed, but the last four trucks have been 4X4's because where my property is I have to go up a dirt road that is 21% grade and there is snow 4-6 months of the year. I need 4X4, just to get my 36' fifth wheels up there to my property in the summer, never get there with two wheel drive. And i get 17-19 mpg with my new truck empty and 8-11 towing that 36' five'r 18,000lb.

[PenJoe]

My first truck in the early 1960s was a 4x4 '50s Jeep that came with a 4 cylinder. I modified it with a Chevy V-8 and improved the brakes. It had all of the amenities of a buckboard, but it could probably have pulled a house off the foundation. For a hobby farm in the upper midwest, it did it's job. It also pulled my 1st 21' TT.

This transitioned into 4x4s with a slide in camper for off trail hunting/camping where 4x4 was a must. Several times we had 2 off road capable vehicles to make sure we got out.

We took our memorable honeymoon with a slide-in camper and a 4x4 with 12" wides all around. DW still quips about climbing over the spare tire to get to the bed. When the kids came, we went to a MH and a a 4x4 for a daily driver. On retirement, we moved South and went with 2WD and one 4x4. Our current TV is a 2WD with locking differential and we use it to snow bird pulling a cargo trailer.

So what is the preference? The 2WD with road tires does an excellent job for what we do. There have been a few questionable times where a 4x4 crossed my mind, but then we have OnStar. Our trades on 2WD have been excellent because we maintain appearance and mechanics. This may vary with geographic location.

Given the history, our preference is still with a 4WD and it will be our next ride.Four wheel drives have certainly improved since my Jeep. As other have said, there is comfort in knowing you have it if you need it. Just remember, even a 4x4 has its limitations. Now it's up to you. Is it nice to have or must have?
My first truck in the early 1960s was a 4x4 '50s Jeep that came with a 4 cylinder. I modified it with a Chevy V-8 and improved the brakes. It had all of the amenities of a buckboard, but it could probably have pulled a house off the foundation. For a hobby farm in the upper midwest, it did it's job. It also pulled my 1st 21' TT.

This transitioned into 4x4s with a slide in camper for off trail hunting/camping where 4x4 was a must. Several times we had 2 off road capable vehicles to make sure we got out.

We took our memorable honeymoon with a slide-in camper and a 4x4 with 12" wides all around. DW still quips about climbing over the spare tire to get to the bed. When the kids came, we went to a MH and a a 4x4 for a daily driver. On retirement, we moved South and went with 2WD and one 4x4. Our current TV is a 2WD with locking differential and we use it to snow bird pulling a cargo trailer.

So what is the preference? The 2WD with road tires does an excellent job for what we do. There have been a few questionable times where a 4x4 crossed my mind, but then we have OnStar. Our trades on 2WD have been excellent because we maintain appearance and mechanics. This may vary with geographic location.

Given the history, our preference is still with a 4WD and it will be our next ride.Four wheel drives have certainly improved since my Jeep. As other have said, there is comfort in knowing you have it if you need it. Just remember, even a 4x4 has its limitations. Now it's up to you. Is it nice to have or must have?

[The Big Toe]

If you need a 4X4 -- Get one.

If you don't, then don't. They're more expensive to buy, more expensive to operate, more expensive to maintain, don't ride as good, heavier, will tow less and love fuel.

But if you need one, there's no substitute; you gotta have it

[Lost Vermonters]

Having lived in the Northeast most of my life; 4 wheel saved me getting out of snow many a time. And I often used boat accesses that needed it to pull the boat out of a lake also.

So I will not do without.

[rmac04401]

Sometimes you have greater tow capacity ratings on a 2wd compared to 4wd. Not a lot but there is a difference at least in the early 2000 models. Do not know about new models.

I have a 4x4 2002 f150

[The Big Toe]

Originally Posted by rmac04401

Sometimes you have greater tow capacity ratings on a 2wd compared to 4wd. Not a lot but there is a difference at least in the early 2000 models. Do not know about new models.

I have a 4x4 2002 f150

All Pickups have a maximum GCWR. And that includes the weight of the vehicle. And the vehicle includes the weight of the drive train.

A 4X4 drive train weighs significantly more.

If you need one, get one. Down here, in Florida, we see what we call '7-eleven' trucks all over the place. All jacked up, big tires, shiny, expensive wheels, etc..... And never seen a mud hole or a patch of snow during their entire existence.

I guess it's okay as a hobby. But we in here already have a hobby.

If you need one, get one. If you don't -- Don't.

Oh, we call them '7-eleven' trucks because you can drive by any 7-eleven late on Friday and Saturday night and see them all parked there, bench-racing, talking stuff and telling lies.

In Cowboy boots and Jeans.

[doc73]

I call them mall rated... Since a parking bumper or curb hop is all the stress they will see! LOL

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[CWSWine]

We went to rally at a fair grounds and they parked us in grass. The next two days in rained and they had wreckers pulling out Class A's and 2 wheel drive SRW and DRW trucks and even some 4 wheel drives. The really problem was some of them were unhooked and they couldn't even get back in to hook up to their RV's. That's the only time I ever need 4 wheel camping but sure was glad we had it.

[northstar1960]

I use 4 wheel all the time couldn't live without it .

[riverrat958]

as a rv transporter( mostly local- upstate ny) I have used 4x4 many times putting a camper into a wet/muddy spot. once got a older camper that was buried in clay up to its axles-4 high -light throttle. I was impressed because clay can be like concrete.I dont drive it much in winter but knowing I can is piece of mind.
2009 gmc lbz crew cab long box 4x4

[tomrob1161]

I agree with the other comments. You don't need 4x4 that often, but when you do, you are sure glad you have it. Not all campgrounds are paved, those that aren't, lwith gravel and dirt, 4x4 becomes a necessity. Plus, as said before, it helps with resale.

[5er_tom]

20-30 years ago 4-wheel drive was a maintenance issue and prone to failure. Now days 4-wheel drive is very dependable. We have it on both vehicles as we are kite flyers and often drive on the beach.


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