Today, I am convinced about 4WD, and WDH question

[ChooChooMan74]

After owning 2 2wd pickups in my early days (87 F250 6.9l XC and 91 F350 7.3l Dually CC), I was always on the fence about 4wd. Well, this weekend, I used it at Normandy Farms, backing into a weird site on a hill (one of a few sites left for this past weekend IN APRIL when I booked!). Well, I was having trouble losing traction in the peastone, so I put the little tractor in 4LO, and it was GREAT. Nice and slow, up and onto the 2x10 to level it. Didn't even have to touch the throttle.

Also, on a side note, when the back of the trailer is up on a hill, I would assume the the spring bars may lift the back of the TV up, or at least take more weight off. Could that have been another reason why I was losing traction? I would assume that would be like pulling harder on the chains on the spring bars???

[dmer364]

I believe you are correct.
I always take my bars off before I back in and usually don't put them on until I pull out of the spot. It usually makes it easier.
This is just my preference though.

[mud yapster]

I've used my 4X4 a few times myself at these camping sites and it helps alot in loose sand and gravel.

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by ChooChooMan74

Also, on a side note, when the back of the trailer is up on a hill, I would assume the the spring bars may lift the back of the TV up, or at least take more weight off. Could that have been another reason why I was losing traction?

Been there, done that, left ruts from spinning tires to prove it. The spring bars have to come off anyway, so why not do it before they can cause mayhem.

And yes, 4WD is a very nice card to have up your sleeve, just in case. Just don't turn much while backing in 4WD or the sod will get ripped up.

[mark0224]

I think I've used my 4wd once and it was backing into a site that had had a lot of rain and turned into a mire. The person before me had to be towed out and the site was deep ruts. I put my boards down that go under trailer tires and used my leveling boards under the rear of the truck to keep from sinking. Don't think I needed it at the time but it did make it walk in at a nice smooth pace instead of being able to move at a quicker speed. Was told by the person at the gate that 20 had to be towed out the day before some even with 4wd. Learned later some of those towed out had pulled in instead of backing in.

[53jimc]

I get kidded about having 4wd here in the South. I know, we don't get much snow, last year I used 4wd for snow once. But.... I use 4wd a lot for other things. Just yesterday I pulled a huge stump from one spot to the fire pile (4lo). No, I didn't pull it out of he ground, a dozer did that, but the truck pulled it with no problem. A few weeks ago we needed to move our 12'x24' utility building (standard 2x4 construction) so I jacked it down onto fence posts, hooked up the truck (4lo again) pulled it to the new location with no problem. When we went camping a few weekends ago, the site was sortof "down in a hole" so pulling out would have been a real strain if it weren't for 4lo. Boat ramps are another thing. I see a lot of folks slippin' and slidin', but 4 hi takes care of that. Over the years I've owned this truck I've used 4wd a bunch. Any time I go out on the back of our property I'm usually in 4hi.
So, I think it's really a useful thing to have, even if it isn't used too often. Well worth the difference in the price.

For the WDH, I'm not very experienced in towing a TT, but I do use a WDH, seems to work fine, keeps the back from sagging. I just make sure to take the bars off before doing a lot of tight maneuvering.

[ChooChooMan74]

I kinda figure the WDH was lifting the back of the TV. Problem with me when taking it off, it unloads way too much off the front. I moved the trailer around the house once without the WDH and could tell the difference in the steering.

[asquared]

I have used the 4wd for the same reason in the past. It made a world of difference. I'm not sure about the wdh dynamics backing uphill but I wouldn't think it would be too much of a change. I have had the same problem backing that old truck uphill on gravel with no trailer behind it.

[lazypuma]

Originally from wa state, currently live in Texas. By nature I would never buy a truck without 4wd from growing up in NW. But down south I have seen many of people park on grass on a slight grade and rain comes and all they do is spin, especially 3/4 and 1 ton with no weight in the rear. I pulled the tree guy out of my back yard 3/4t and his trailer for this very reason. So it does come in handy in the south as well.

[JonClark]

What do you have for a truck?

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by JonClark

What do you have for a truck?

I forgot, you can't see the signatures on the mobile app. It is a Jeep Liberty Diesel.

[DocGTO]

I got stuck once in a 2wd truck I owned and I told myself never again. Any truck after has been 4wd and it comes in handy, period. I just used it on our last camping trip to St Augustine where the beach sand was a mess. While I was cruising in my spot in 4wd there was a 2wd pickup being towed out and no cars could make it to where we were so it was not busy and we had plenty of space. Piece of mind.

[dave961]

My old 2wd 250 diesel was a mule when it came to towing in the mountains, but after having my buddy pull me out twice when I wasn't even towing (and never letting me forget it) my next truck (and all future trucks) will have 4wd.

[Canadiancrew]

Last winter was the last time we had our SUV in 4WD. Hopefully we don't need it this winter. We did not use 4wd at all for camping this year but have had those wet muddy sites before were someone has left ruts. Nice to walk out in lo and not rip up the CG too. We do use it for boat ramps in the spring. Typically lots of sand and mud at the base of the ramps for early spring salmon fishing.

[JonClark]

Jeep diesel. Will have to look it up! I have a 2012 f250 and have used the position lock on the rear end getting into some sites but not 4wd yet

[riznfall]

I've always felt that's it's just not a truck if it isn't 4WD.


Tim
Vengeance touring edition 39R12
2012 Ram 3500 DRW

[Islander]

I do lock in my 4x4 for the occasional snow fall here in the Pacific Northwest.

However, I have used it more for helping others on boat ramps , stuck in mud etc.
The place I use it most is when I get to the campground.
Setting it into 4Low it will just walk it's self nicely at idle slow and steady as I steer.

I have both manual locking and on the fly (dashboard control) hubs.
I have disconnected the hoses (at the pump) for the on-the-fly switching so the front wheels are not locked when I use 4x4 for maneuvering the 5th wheel.

I learned the hard way about backing my 5th wheel up the slope of my driveway. When the transmission is put under heavy pressure, like backing a heavy trailer up a slope, that pressure has to go somewhere... there usually is a small vent/valve on the top of the auto-transmission...when the extreme pressure and heat is built up... tranny oil will spray out of this vent leaving you with a mess and thinking you just blew your transmission.
That's when I was told by a Transmission expert to use 4x4 low to back up the rig, especially up any hills.

Yes, a 4x4 truck is more expensive but it is very useful and gives peace of mind when towing.

-Islander-

[jbrostek]

90% of the time I have no need for 4wd on the truck when towing the camper. But the 10% of the time is when I am happy to have the option when traction even with the 5th wheel pin is giving me an issue on loose gravel or dirt.

Winter last year I needed it a few times during some heavier snow fall.

[Iwannacamp]

I get ridiculed for saying at work...I don't know why they make 1/2T 2WD p/u's for anything but fleet/delivery use and hauling groceries and light hauling... OK I said it.

Once you own a 4WD...you will never go back. I don't put mine in 4WD until i need it...if you put it in before...you might not be able to get out of the situation. My experience(for the most part in mud) unless you are playing in 4WD...by the time you realize you are stuck in 4WD...then it's to late....2WD then to 4WD.. you might get out.
Ice and snow are an exception to this rule of course.

[GASPEDDLER]

I don't see what the big deal is all about, it's there if you need it. I rarely see trucks today that are not 4wd. You never hear anyone ask the owner of a 600+ HP Corvette why he needs a $100,000 dollar car that goes 205 MPH.