Why 4 X 4

Usnthedog wrote:
Every place you look, every dealer it's all 4 X 4's. I have a 4 X 4 and never use it. Why is it so popular? Is there anyone out there that has a 2 X 4 and is unhappy with the truck? How about with a 4 X 4? My first 2 trucks I bought off the lot hence the 4 X 4. I'm looking to order and almost feel ashamed to consider a 2 X 4. I pull a 12,000# 5th wheel. No mud holes and backroads. Thanks.

And diesel, but that is another post.

OK, here's my $0.02...

First off, if you can guarantee that you'll never be in a campground that's dead level and paved, then a 2x4 would work. I can tell you that my first trip this year, we were in a small CG with dirt roads and pads. Dirt was covered in fine gravel/coarse sand. As I had to back in uphill, I didn't even consider 2wd; went to 4wd and =still= spun a bit. I'd've never made it into that site with a 2x4. Even on a decent dirt road, if there's washboards, there =is= a difference in driving in 2wd and 4wd, even with a load on. 4wd makes driving in that situation much more comfortable, IMO. You get on pavement that's got sand/gravel on it, and 4wd can come in handy. Personally, I'll never have a truck that's =not= 4wd and I wish I'd had one 30 years sooner.

As for diesel, if you're never going to be in the mountains, or very infrequently, then a gasser is fine, but for frequent towing and/or mountain towing, diesel's the way to go. Again, I'll not have a truck that's =not= diesel.

Lyle

You are looking in the wrong place. I live in southern Arizona and you can't find a 4x4 down here.

A 4X4 truck doesn't have to sit high off the ground. Witness mine. It even raises or lowers according to what type of driving you intend to do. When the doors are opened the running boards that come out are only about 6 or 8 inches above the ground. :B My previous truck was too hard for my wife to climb into. That is just one of the reasons I purchased this truck.
Barney

It is not a myth. If you live in the West, you need all the help you can get to negotiate, mud, snow, ice, and steep grades.

If you wander you are going to get stuck with 4 wheel drive. It will just be in worse places further from help. You will learn to get unstuck.

Yes, on the 4x4 for all the reasons stated, but we use it all the time backing our FW into our level flat driveway which transitions from pavement to gravel and it's the gravel that causes loss of traction. Switch to 4x4 and no problem. Not to mention that years ago, when we had an older truck, our transmission service shop advised to always put your truck in 4x4 when backing up any incline or rough road with your TT or FW. It saves the transmission.

I have ALWAYS had 4x4 because my truck plows snow when its's not towing my trailer in the winter..

I have only needed 4x4 2-3 times towing, BUT having it was priceless !! And it saved me a TON of money and or aggravation those 2 - 3 times...

Sometimes that wet grass on a small up hill slope can be a bugger to push your trailer up in reverse! Or heavy rains on grass and heavy trailers do not go well together


** I think Cummins12V98 has a good picture of wheels and tires that were down DEEP in mud.. I believe that 4x4 may have helped there just a bit !

"honestly. It is a macho thing."

HA, right!

Does this LOOK like a 4x4? It's 2x4 version looks just the same.



This LOOKS like a 4x4!

rhagfo wrote:
Why, cheap insurance!
Backing up hill on gravel, sudden snow storm!
Wet grass!

YUP, how about when out sight seeing and the gravel road turns to sand before you know it and you start digging in. YUP happened and no cell service. Hit 4wd and took right off.

How about setting at the campsite wife calls right at dust panicked saying she is stuck, GPS told her wrong way back. I explain how to get it in 4wd, no go as it just kept digging. Explained 4 low and she drive right out. True story!

YES, 4wd is worth EVERY bit it costs and more!!!

Terryallan wrote:


honestly. It is a macho thing. As in. I just got to have a 4x4. They look so good. No I'll never go gully jumping, but I got to have a 4x4. OH! I may get stuck on a wet leaf, so I need 4x4. It reality, it is an image thing.

That is one of the most over the top statements I have seen here in a while. WOW!

Terryallan wrote:

Usnthedog wrote:
Every place you look, every dealer it's all 4 X 4's. I have a 4 X 4 and never use it. Why is it so popular? Is there anyone out there that has a 2 X 4 and is unhappy with the truck? How about with a 4 X 4? My first 2 trucks I bought off the lot hence the 4 X 4. I'm looking to order and almost feel ashamed to consider a 2 X 4. I pull a 12,000# 5th wheel. No mud holes and backroads. Thanks.

And diesel, but that is another post.

honestly. It is a macho thing. As in. I just got to have a 4x4. They look so good. No I'll never go gully jumping, but I got to have a 4x4. OH! I may get stuck on a wet leaf, so I need 4x4. It reality, it is an image thing.

honestly. I have been towing for more than 40 years, and have never once needed 4x4, even though I have has several 4x4s. I have taken them gully jumping, and out on the beach, but haven't needed them for towing. In fact the BEST, most STABLE TV I ever had was a 4x2. I miss it.

Absolutely agree. I had a 4WD truck when I was in my 20's and image was important. I sold it when I realized I didn't need it and it just cost more to operate. My stepson just presented me with another reason: he just spent $1300 to have his transfer case repaired.