Why 4 X 4

a few weeks back on our vacation while camping at the track at Watkins Glen, we struggles to get our fifth wheels parked and not stuck while in 4wd low gear, a whole bunch of 2wd trucks and motorhomes had to be pulled out - I was some happy to have 4wd then.

My truck also gets a ton of use in the winter and around here, we get real winter, not that wimpy stuff everybody south of Michigan and Maine get.

Learjet wrote:
What about slippery boat ramps?????

I try to keep my 5er off boat ramps. ;)

But if we are going to wander off topic, a couple brother-in-laws pull mid-20' boats and no issues with 2wd on boat ramps over many years.

I live in Tucson, and while I don't need 4 wheel drive while hooked to the 5th wheel, in order to get up the gravel part of the yard without spinning the tires that I have to go up in order TO hook up I need it. To each their own I suppose, I like having it as a backup in case I need it. Not to mention the flooded roads and **** washed onto the roads here in monsoon season, I go through the sand washed onto the road fine, my 2 wheel drive brethren, not so much

BarabooBob wrote:
What a bunch of bull. Here in Wisconsin we actually have snow and we don't stay at home because we got 6" of white stuff. We go to work, we go out and play in it, we pull our snowmobiles and go skiing in it. Winter lasts 5 months here. Unless you want to live indoors, you will probably be using your 4x4.

I agree with BarabooBob
There have been times where I have left the truck in 4x4 for weeks at a time. I had to go to work period. I was a Vol. Firefighter and had to go when ever the call went out so 4x4 was a must.
Being retired now I can wait if the roads are bad. Why wait it is snow and I am equipped to deal with it. One thong I do not drive on is ice. I stay home when ice is on the road.

Super_Dave wrote:
All the guys defending 4 X 4 use it. It appears that the OP never has and likely never will. I think he is safe ordering the smoother riding 4 X 2.

Then let the 4x4 pull him out when he gets stuck.

All the guys defending 4 X 4 use it. It appears that the OP never has and likely never will. I think he is safe ordering the smoother riding 4 X 2.

Terryallan wrote:


Fact is. 95 percent of 4x4 sold will never ever be put in 4x4. They will never see a muddy road where it is needed. They will never run down a sandy beach, or go thru a soggy field. As for snow. No they won't go out in the snow, Because some one may run into them. I hear it every winter. I go to work, and all the other guy with 4x4 stay home because they don't want their truck wrecked. They don't even know if the 4x4 even works, because they have never used it. But it looks good, Don't it.

I am crying foul.... 95% ?? Really ?? I do not believe that... here in PA its nice to have 4x4 in the winters IF you want to get to work..like stated above, we don’t stay home with 6” of snow... here is one of my rides HOME FROM work... we were getting 3” per hour.. ended up with over 27” that day... but we worked.... kids didn’t go to school, but we worked...I would BET nobody with a 4x2 truck got to work that day...you southerners crack me up.... This was on rt 132, its a 4 lane road in SE PA, that bridge ahead of me is the PA Turnpike

Terryallan wrote:


Fact is. 95 percent of 4x4 sold will never ever be put in 4x4. They will never see a muddy road where it is needed. They will never run down a sandy beach, or go thru a soggy field. As for snow. No they won't go out in the snow, Because some one may run into them. I hear it every winter. I go to work, and all the other guy with 4x4 stay home because they don't want their truck wrecked. They don't even know if the 4x4 even works, because they have never used it. But it looks good, Don't it.

What a bunch of bull. Here in Wisconsin we actually have snow and we don't stay at home because we got 6" of white stuff. We go to work, we go out and play in it, we pull our snowmobiles and go skiing in it. Winter lasts 5 months here. Unless you want to live indoors, you will probably be using your 4x4.

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.

For a relatively inexpensive option why wouldn't you? It's one of the best value options you can buy plus it's awful handy when you need it even if for peace of mind. For far less $$ than the next upgraded trim package you could have 4x4 which could get you out of a pickle whereas that the fancier trim package wont.

Dan

I have had 3 4X4 trucks and my daily driver now is a 93 Dodge D250 2wheel drive.It does fine down here in Florida.I will get a second truck by the end of the year. It will be a 4X4 because they have saved my bacon countless times towing and not towing through many states. Its not a macho thing, its what works for me and gives a more confident feeling in bad weather. If 2 wheel drive works for you thats great.