2WD or 4X4 for a truck camper
Okay,this is for hauling a truck camper only and what a new guy should get when going to buy a truck camper.. Here is a pretty honest opinion of the pro's and con's of both and yes,he has a truck c...
Forum Discussion
I think you should buy what you want. Personally, I've had 4wd trucks since 1971. I got my first truck camper in 1991. I don't think I've been on a camping trip where I haven't used 4wd at least once. Sometimes for additional vehicle control, other times for traction. I find low range extremely useful for crawling slowly over rocky Forest Service roads.
For those people who don't need 4wd in snow - okay - good for you. I grew up in Michigan. My father didn't believe in either limited slip differentials or snow tires. Honest - I know how to drive in the snow in 2wd with bias-ply, nylon, highway tires without getting stuck. I simply prefer not to do that kind of driving, as 4wd provides far more control.
I could cite numerous examples of my use of 4wd with a camper, but I'm not sure it would make any difference to those who have made up their minds that 4wd is a waste of money.
But, here are just a few examples - maybe you'll understand why I have chosen 4wd for use with my camper.
I've been in mud so deep I had to put chains on the front wheels to gain steering control so I wouldn't end up in a ditch 50 miles from any type of help. I've been on Wolf Creek Pass in a blizzard. I've been through Titus Canyon in Death Valley. I've woken up in Seligman, AZ greeted by a fresh, 10-inch snow fall, and then had to drive I-40 through Flagstaff at 30 MPH in a continuing snow storm. That's only a few examples of my use of 4wd with a camper.
If you never do those kind of things with your camper and truck - you don't need 4wd. If you DO want to do those kind of things in 2wd - have at it. I know I don't.
For those people who don't need 4wd in snow - okay - good for you. I grew up in Michigan. My father didn't believe in either limited slip differentials or snow tires. Honest - I know how to drive in the snow in 2wd with bias-ply, nylon, highway tires without getting stuck. I simply prefer not to do that kind of driving, as 4wd provides far more control.
I could cite numerous examples of my use of 4wd with a camper, but I'm not sure it would make any difference to those who have made up their minds that 4wd is a waste of money.
But, here are just a few examples - maybe you'll understand why I have chosen 4wd for use with my camper.
I've been in mud so deep I had to put chains on the front wheels to gain steering control so I wouldn't end up in a ditch 50 miles from any type of help. I've been on Wolf Creek Pass in a blizzard. I've been through Titus Canyon in Death Valley. I've woken up in Seligman, AZ greeted by a fresh, 10-inch snow fall, and then had to drive I-40 through Flagstaff at 30 MPH in a continuing snow storm. That's only a few examples of my use of 4wd with a camper.
If you never do those kind of things with your camper and truck - you don't need 4wd. If you DO want to do those kind of things in 2wd - have at it. I know I don't.
