2wd vs 4 wd?

4wd is not needed for towing an RV trailer. It does not give you more towing capacity or towing power. You do not have the power to pull the dead weight of a trailer thru the terrain you would need 4wd for.

I live in the Northeast and probably 99% of the trucks here are 4wd. No one should tow in 4wd full time, but only use it to get out of situations where it is needed. We camped at a music festival at Hunter Mountain Ski Resort where RV camping was up on the ski slopes. It was pouring rain and the only ones pulling trailers up the mountain were those of us with 4wd.

I responded to an earlier post that I didn't believe 4wd was necessary unless one goes off-roading. A week later I needed to use my 4wd to get out of a tough situation while pulling my FW. I learned a lesson.
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We were camping recently in a Florida State Park and had a hard rain overnight. The guys with 2wd had to be towed out. The 4wd were able to drive out.
Also. I have a steep driveway. I always use 4wd low range and pull out without straining anything.

We just did a trek thru a part of Death Valley that only 4wd can get thru. The view was incredible. I don't care if the rig can pull better or not...it takes us where we want to go :)

We camp mostly in camp grounds, so the need for a 4x4 has not been an issue. Couple times I have spun a bit, backing in on gravel, but I just pull forward a bit and get a run for 'er.

I am not an off-roader, so I refused to pay the extra for 4x4. We live in Pennsylvania and I get around quite well with a 2 wheel drive. Did it for 15yrs with a Dodge Dakota with no extra weight added to the truck. Drove the RAM last year with nothing added....this year was a stinker, so mid-January I broke down and put 300# of sand bags over the axel.

Four wheel drive is nice if you need it...I just try NOT to need it. I grew up driving rear-wheel drive, I ain't afraid to run for it, or drive her side-ways up the hill :B

In normal towing. You do not need 4x4. I have had 4x4 tow vehicles, and 4x2 tow vehicles. And in 30 years of towing. I have not needed 4x4 with the camper hooked up.
BTW. My TT is parked on a down grade, and I have to pull it out thru grass (uphill). I have NEVER been stuck on the wet grass. Don't really understand how that happens. WE camp in CG that have no pavement. Again, never been stuck.

IF you want 4x4 then get it. It is totally up to you. You are the only one you have to please. But you will more than likely. Never need it

Very open question that only you can answer. I live in New England with lots of snow, and working a job that requires me to travel in all conditions, 4WD is very helpful (along with dedicated snow tires).

I also had an issue backing up an incline to a campsite where I spun out on gravel. As the previous poster said, I just put it in 4WD and continued backing in.

But 4WD doesn't help all the time, especially when your wheels don't touch the ground.

I mainly have 4 wheel drive for when I am not towing...We get winter here

Here are some pros and cons based on my experience:

1. A four wheel drive equipped vehicle weighs more than a 2WD. The extra elements such as a transfer case and added drive shaft add weight. Let's say you purchased a 2WD and a 4WD that were exactly the same truck. Suppose the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is 9,000 pounds. If the 2WD truck weighed 7,000 Pounds, you would be able to carry 2,000 pounds on that truck. That's called payload. It consists of all weight you put in the truck including driver and passengers, cargo, and trailer pin or tongue weight. If you took the same truck in 4WD, it might weigh 7,500 pounds, but would still have the same 9,000 pound GVWR. So on the 4WD truck, you'd only be able to carry 1,500 pounds (9,000-7,500).

2. I've been in situations where I was trying to back my FW up a driveway to a campsite that was fairly steep and covered in gravel. My truck tires started spinning. I put it in 4WD, and backed in with no problem. If I'd only had 2WD, I would have needed an alternate plan. I've also been bogged down in mud, and used the 4WD to get out.

3. 4WD vehicles are a little more expensive to maintain (but not much). Also, they usually cost more when you make your initial purchase. However, most 4WD trucks will have a higher resale value when you eventually sell it.

4. Normally, 4WD will not give you added towing capacity.

Jim