Just wondering about 2 wheel drive

[beanoil]

I had a 4WD Chevy with emphasis on the had. I've towed the last 6 years with a 2WD Ford. Never a problem. A 2WD will usually tow more weight than a 4WD, and there are far fewer components in the drivetrain to fail.

[Chewie]

4x4 can be handy but the tires are more important for grip from my point of view. I've had my 4x4 F350 dully stuck in soft wet grass, 1 due to weight and 2 due to highway tires. Not exactly the choice for leaving roads. On an older F250 4x4 I had, I put BFG all-terrain tires on, what a difference. I could 2wd mostly everything in winter and soft ground. Needless to say I still have 4x4, it's there if I need it.

[wayne anthony]

Since over 90% of my driving is hiway, I'll go with quiet tires. '98 I had (bought used) had noisy tires on it. Wayne

[dretired]

I get a kick out of the lifted 4x4s out there.. all shiny and pretty... Having... NEVER >>>EVER ..seen ..a.. 2 track...gravel.. nothing but concrete and ashphalt ...if they encounter a dirt road they keep GOING and pass it up !!!

[FreedomTracker]

Just checked the book on the 2012 F150's and found the following tow capacity on the 5.5' bed size (145" WB):

5.0L 4x4 3.55 = 7700lbs
5.0L 4x2 3.55 = 8000lbs

5.0L 4x4 3.73 = 9300 lbs
5.0L 4x2 3.73 = 9400lbs

Looks like the gear ratio contributes more to tow capacity than 4x4 vs. 4x2. The longer 163" WB has an even more possitive effect on the 4x2 with the 3.55 gear (@ 9300lbs).

[ddemme]

I have a 2011 F-150 eco supercrew 4x2 with a 3.55 rear end. That gives me a 9800 lb. Tow rating and 15300 GCWR. 4x2 is fine for me because:
1. I live in Florida and camp in state or county parks.
2. I don't have a boat.
3. Its my daily driver, and
4. I don't off-road, (I'd buy a jeep for that.)

With all that said, if I were to order a truck today, I'd get the 4wd. Its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[OldCoot]

If you don't go offroad, see no reason to get a 4 x 4 unless you plan on moving to the snowbelt states.

Had a wise old man that worked the rice fields in Arkansas said that all a 4x4 does is get you stuck deeper, because you try to go places you just think you can go that you wouldn't even attempt in a 4x2. My son and grandsons all call me on the radio and ask me to go get a tractor to pull them out because I stay on the levees and walk.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Had a wise old man that worked the rice fields in Arkansas said that all a 4x4 does is get you stuck deeper, because you try to go places you just think you can go that you wouldn't even attempt in a 4x2.

Conversely, fear of going places because you don't have 4X4 can keep you from getting into some really cool places. Look at Glenn's pix as examples.

[OldCoot]

I guess it is "To each his own" I would never take a truck of mine that I liked into any river or creek for the damage it does to the running gear which regardless of what they say, they are not designed for underwater use. Wheel brgs, brakes, etc. I worked too hard for what little I have to abuse it. But, like I said, "To each his own"

[fast murray]

I'm in South Dakota and I had almost forgot that you can get a 2wd truck. JK. My boss finally gave up on 2wd's because the dealership had a difficult time getting one in. I have used 4wd just to get my camper to the highway after a good rain and I live on a fairly decent gravel road. Some of the places we camp are on grass and it's nice to have there too.

[sundawg]

Hey Fast Murray... I live just south of Sioux Falls, but wanted to say how funny some o the truck ads are around here.. They advertise 2 wd's but never stock them!
We have a 4wd expedition and an awd fusion. With the exception of last winter, both vehicles would have been stuck had they been 2 wd during winter

[Great Horned Owl]

I just bought a 2011 Chevy 2500 diesel, crew cab, long bed, 4 X 4. I really wanted 2wd, but after searching a 250 mile radius for a month, I gave up. There just aren't any up here in snow country.

You will have the same problem. Unless you order a new one, or travel down south, you may have to get 4wd.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

I've had situations where backing a trailer and on wet grass; both rear wheels spinning, can't move. Fortunately, I had 4X4 and shifted it in; then could back in.

The same thing has happened to me backing in my camper. I very seldom need 4 wheel drive, but when I do it is nice to have it.

On the other hand, the only 2 problems I have had with my truck have both been 4x4 related. 1 was a vacuum solenoid that works the front hubs.....I had to have it towed with that problem. The 2nd was my transfer case module quite working. How I wish Ford would offer a manual shifter and lockout hubs on their 4x4s.....neither of those problems would have happened.

[fast murray]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

How I wish Ford would offer a manual shifter and lockout hubs on their 4x4s.....neither of those problems would have happened.

How long has it been since either of them were offered. I never wonder about my 72 Power Wagon, you lock the hubs and then if the floor shifter moves back at all, you're in. These newer trucks with their knobs.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by fast murray

How long has it been since either of them were offered.

I know Ford offered manual transfer shift and lock out hubs in the F150 in 1995.......I had 1.

[Chewie]

I dont think ford offers manual hubs in the f150 platform anymore, could be wrong. I know my 2012 f350 has manual locking hubs and manual 4wd shift. You can option for elec. shift on fly, but id rather have the manual hubs.

[dretired]

If...your wallet can afford it..get a 4x4 !!!

[ng2951]

...I am on the fence whether to get a 2 or 4 wheel drive. I don't know if there are advantages or disadvantages either way.

If you are going from RV park to RV park, the reasons for having 4WD are greatly reduced.

If you are going to camp on grass, dirt, etc. at some point you will probably get stuck. Every time I parked in the grass, I knew I had one shot to get the TT moving, and if I did I was OK. Never got stuck, but I did have two close calls.

One pard I know went to great lengths to get a 3500 2WD Dodge, He said he save $6,000 by getting 2WD. He said that was a great deal since the winch he had to buy plus the 'dead man' cost that much. He tells me he has been stuck on beaches, other cowboy towns, etc.

...I'm not worried about driving in snow so much as more parts to break, more expense, if the gas mileage is different...

Its mechanical and you cannot add parts with increasing the likelihood of them breaking. All in all, if properly care for and not abused they tend to work well.

Mileage is less, but probably under 10%. Though towing capacity is reduced, most of this is due to weight of the 4WD system. For diesels, I haven't read of a difference in capacity other than the GCWR, however most diesels are 3/4 ton+ and the F150 is 1/2 ton (gasser).

To sum it up, most of my camping is on unimproved ground. With the old 1/2 ton Tacoma 2WD and my 5K# TrailManor (dually), I had difficulty frequently with two close calls over 3 years.

With the 3/4 ton GMC 2500HD Dmax w/4WD and a 9K# trailer, the first time out in 2WD mode, got stuck. Punched the 4WD button whole rig moved to hard surface with only the grass complaining.