I'm looking at the new cheverolet durmax to pull my fifth wheel. Do I really need the 4WD or should I go with the 2WD. If I go with the 4WD is the mpg a big difference and does the 4WD effective the towing capacity. Thanks

Only you know how you will use the truck. I'll never have another 2wd truck. I live where it snow and I often drive on dirt roads in the mountains. I can't tell a difference in ride or handling in my Chevys. Technically the added couple of hundred pounds of weight will slightly lower your towing capacity.

Unless you will keep this truck forever you might consider what the next buyer will prefer. Seems like 4WD is very popular these days.

This has been repeatedly asked. I had a 2wd dually in the early 90s (I think that is the only way Ford made them) And I only got in trouble at the race track parking lot after a lot of rain (This grass field was known to get soft). So, depends on what you will be doing with the truck. Tires make a world of difference, too.

KD4UPL wrote:Only you know how you will use the truck. I'll never have another 2wd truck. I live where it snow and I often drive on dirt roads in the mountains. I can't tell a difference in ride or handling in my Chevys. Technically the added couple of hundred pounds of weight will slightly lower your towing capacity.X24X4 is a personal choice, but it will add to the resale value, and it appears you live in an area that will get snow from time to time.Your choice!Setting back and zapping some popcorn!

Need 4X4 - only if you live where you get allot of snow. We are in snow country so a 4X4 is a must for me. Get the 3500HD - higher payload and the ride will be close to the 2500HD.The 4X4 has come in handy pulling in and out of some camping areas after allot of rain.I do not think the mileage is that much different. Re-sale will be higher.3500HD info:The 2WD 5th wheel towing capacity is about 500 lbs higher (at least it was on the 2011s - - 17,300 lbs 2WD, 16,800 lbs 4WD. The conventional towing is the same - 13,000 lbs. The payload on a 2WD is about 300 lbs moreThe 2011 and newer trucks are a great towing rig - I have had a Duramax since 2004.

2WD or 4WD | Good Sam Community

wwest
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
ScottG wrote:
It's really just a personal choice depending on what you need. If you drive in the snow then the 4X is going to run circles around the 2WD (and then pull it out of the ditch). There is no comparison in this regard.
Been there, owned both - check sig.

Call me the next we have serious snowfall and my RWD/4WD/4X4 '92 Jeep in RWD and rear tire chains will show you how to run "circles" around ANY 4WD or 4X4.....

Yes, NO comparison!
RedRocket204
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
wwest wrote:
Other than initially getting up and going, moving, on the slippery stuff 4WD/4X4 drivelines are totally USELESS!

How about geared down engine braking with 4x4 engaged?

To me, your above statement is invalid.
bradyk
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
4x4 all the way. For all the snow reasons is just a start. Wet soft grass I have seen many a 2 wheel drive spinning, boat launches, mud, soft gravel and also resale. Try to resell a 2 wd today and you will get less for it and be harder to move. For the little bit of difference in fuel and weight go for it. I have had both and so has my FIL and we both would never go back.
Fordlover
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
bamafeaver wrote:
I'm looking at the new cheverolet durmax to pull my fifth wheel. Do I really need the 4WD or should I go with the 2WD. If I go with the 4WD is the mpg a big difference and does the 4WD effective the towing capacity. Thanks

IMHO, if you're asking if you need a 4wd or a 2wd, you probably don't need 4x4.
BenK
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
If you have to ask...don't get it...
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
bamafeaver wrote:
I'm looking at the new cheverolet durmax to pull my fifth wheel. Do I really need the 4WD or should I go with the 2WD. If I go with the 4WD is the mpg a big difference and does the 4WD effective the towing capacity. Thanks

Maybe I missed it but didn't see anywhere in the posts about height difference between 2WD and 4WD. Just make sure, if you already have the 5ver that a 4WD isn't unreasonably high. They can turn the axles around. Just take the measurements first.

JMHO. I towed my TT many places I wouldn't take my present MH because I had 4WD. Especially over South Pass (WY) in the winter on snow and ice.
JTrac
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
If residual value means anything to you a 2wd will loose value faster than a 4wd. I know because I just went thru that changing our 2012 Duramax 3500 single rear wheel 2wd to our current truck. As for mpg the new dually gets about 2 mpg less than the 2012 on average but I don't even have 2k miles on it yet. Towing mileage is about the same.
ScottG
Nomad
Jun 20, 2014
It's really just a personal choice depending on what you need. If you drive in the snow then the 4X is going to run circles around the 2WD (and then pull it out of the ditch). There is no comparison in this regard.
Been there, owned both - check sig.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
I never needed a 4x4 for towing but so what we all drive in different areas.

I know the older fords had a problem backing up and the heat made the trannie pour out the fluid because of the high reverse ratio and the low range of a 4x4 was great as the problem didn't happen. I really liked the ratio on our 2001 chev and same for the 05. Easy to back up slow on our 4x2. Not thinking a 4x2 is better of course just that it works for our style.

chevman
wwest
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
bamafeaver wrote:
I'm looking at the new cheverolet durmax to pull my fifth wheel. Do I really need the 4WD or should I go with the 2WD. If I go with the 4WD is the mpg a big difference and does the 4WD effective the towing capacity. Thanks

Memphis: Bought a 2001 "AWD" Chrysler T&C, Osceola dealer had to go all the way to Chicago to find one in stock.

Note that the majority of those recommending 4WD live/drive in quite different climatic conditions.

Also, the GREAT advantage of RWD 2WD is that the front traction coefficient is ALWAYS dedicated to lateral, directional control.

Other than initially getting up and going, moving, on the slippery stuff 4WD/4X4 drivelines are totally USELESS! Just extra WEIGHT and driveline FRICTION to carry around 100% of the times for maybe 0.01% of actual need.

Once underway you MUST switch out of 4WD/4X4 mode in order to enable ABS, TC, and VSC (stability control). Even absent those nannys you should NEVER leave the system engaged underway since it dramatically compromises directional control.

Go with 2WD, RWD and carry a good set of easy on/off tire chains for those RARE times of need.

Forum Discussion

2WD or 4WD

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

4WD or 2WD

2WD vs 4WD?

4WD vs 2WD

2wd vs 4wd

2WD vs. 4WD