SRW 3500 2WD vs 4WD
Deciding if I should purchase a 2WD or 4WD SWR 3500 but need a little advice from those of you who have a 2WD or have had both. Total 5th wheel weight loaded is around 13,500 so do not need a dually a...
Forum Discussion
The standard answer in favour of 4WD is "I need it for winter driving as my daily driver."
Fine. That is a valid reason but this is an RV forum dealing with needs while RVing. The fact is very few of us go traveling with trailers in the winter. Very few of us go offroad with our trailers where 4WD would be necessary. Very few who have 4WD over the years have ever actually needed 4WD during the course of a camping trip to get unstuck.
2WD drive dually here. Well over 100,000 trailer miles & hundreds of different CGs consisting of everything from all paved to open hay fields. Been stuck less than 6 times. Been towed out only once. A distance of less than 20' after getting most of the way all on my own using boards & frugal use of power.
99% of the time there is no NEED for 4WD. For that very rare occasion when help is needed be sure to have what is needed onboard because the guy in the position to help most likely does not. Carry an ample length tow strap & whatever hooks or shackles that might be needed.
The mentality in N America is 'more is better' but look at what is commonly used in Australia where I suspect roads in general are nowhere near as good as in N America. The 5er tow vehicle of choice is a 2WD cab over modified commercial truck to do the job of a 2500 or 3500 in the US. You see them in the U S as city delivery box trucks.
Fine. That is a valid reason but this is an RV forum dealing with needs while RVing. The fact is very few of us go traveling with trailers in the winter. Very few of us go offroad with our trailers where 4WD would be necessary. Very few who have 4WD over the years have ever actually needed 4WD during the course of a camping trip to get unstuck.
2WD drive dually here. Well over 100,000 trailer miles & hundreds of different CGs consisting of everything from all paved to open hay fields. Been stuck less than 6 times. Been towed out only once. A distance of less than 20' after getting most of the way all on my own using boards & frugal use of power.
99% of the time there is no NEED for 4WD. For that very rare occasion when help is needed be sure to have what is needed onboard because the guy in the position to help most likely does not. Carry an ample length tow strap & whatever hooks or shackles that might be needed.
The mentality in N America is 'more is better' but look at what is commonly used in Australia where I suspect roads in general are nowhere near as good as in N America. The 5er tow vehicle of choice is a 2WD cab over modified commercial truck to do the job of a 2500 or 3500 in the US. You see them in the U S as city delivery box trucks.
