2WD or 4X4 for a truck camper

Not sure what you are saying is incorrect since you seem to be agreeing with me. [emoticon]. I didn’t say LEO could figure it out, but it’s the rule any way. Signs are also mostly for commercial vehicles which our passenger trucks aren’t in many states.

Just trying to clarify GVW versus GVWR is all....many people get it wrong it seems..... I carry chains in season so that I am legal in places that say chains must be carried (my GVWR is well over 10,000 though like most of the newer 3500/350 duallies, but I am just a non commercial pickup truck hauling an RV camper so interpretation of the chains law would depend on the LEO and circumstances at the time I guess )..

Just to toss in a few decades of camping and truck experience. At one point, we owned 2wd truck, HAHA, in Los Angeles. Went camping on easy roads as well ...

Then upgraded our attitude about camping, bought a 4x4 and began actually camping and getting into the beautiful back-country. We've been "nearly stuck" a few times, actually a lot of times, because of where we would camp, not due to camper or roads.

I believe the type of roads and the type of camping you choose, directly impacts the choice between 2wd and 4x4, and not necessarily the camper itself. But, you can always get more places with 4x4 than you can with 2wd, and you can often help yourself out of and into interesting situations with 4x4 where with the 2wd, you don't always have those choices. Personally, we'd rather have the choices then not. We've most often had a winch on the front as well, until this last truck which also makes a difference :)

We KNOW we'd have gotten stuck in many places without 4x4 because we've had to us Low-range and 4x4 to get unstuck, but then again, if we'd have only 2wd, it's unlikely we'd have gone there anyway. It was ALWAYS worth it to go tho'...

Bedlam wrote:
In WA, it is based on your registered GVWR: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=204-24-050

Well, yes and no. As noted on the other post, who knows how they are going to tell how much you weigh. My guess is it probably isn’t going to matter unless you wreck or get stuck on the interstate.

I’m just glad they make it clear. :D. Here’s another Washington reference.
https://www.wsdot.com/winter/tires-chains.htm.

4WD/AWD and chains

4WD/AWD vehicles (under 10,000 pounds) do not need chains installed during "chains required" notices, but drivers still must carry chains with them in case conditions worsen and they're required to install chains during a "chains required on all vehicles" notice.

...

Non-commercial vehicles and trailers, RVs, etc.

Vehicle, trailer and load combinations that are under 10,000 pounds must follow regular chain requirements. Vehicle, trailer and load combinations that are more than 10,000 pounds must chain up when "chains required" is posted - even if 4WD/AWD. Consult Commercial vehicles chain requirements for chain placement - which is required based on weight not type of vehicle.

Z-Peller wrote:

It’s GVW not GVWR. Back to my point of needing a truck without truck camper, law or not, almost all trucks are under 10K GVW unless you are hauling a significant load.

Sorry, but that is not correct....
GVW =Gross Vehicle Weight. This is what my vehicle weighs at any given time according to how it is loaded. This is not known by anyone without driving over a scale.

GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This is what is on the manufacturer door post sticker weight rating for my vehicle. This is the rating posted on the road signs. This would be the only reference figures a LEO could use. They have no way of knowing my GVW unless they had a portable road scale.

Not sure what you are saying is incorrect since you seem to be agreeing with me. :D. I didn’t say LEO could figure it out, but it’s the rule any way. Signs are also mostly for commercial vehicles which our passenger trucks aren’t in many states.

The Washington reference is here.Tire Chain Rules from wsdot.

BradW wrote:
Ok, I give up. I now believe a 2wd drw truck is the perfect choice for you going elk hunting in the winter in Idaho while towing a trailer. Perfect choice. Carry on men! :) :) :)

bradw

I don't think you understand..You can only go so far with a big truck and camper or even a small TT..4X4 is no benefit to get to the main camp where you hunt from.We do not road hunt..Dump the TC(I don't) and yes,then a 4X4 would be the choice but I use a Yamaha Rhino so I don't have to worry about scratching or denting up a pickup..You certainly would not take your new pickup where I take the Rhino and I wouldn't take my '94 there either..

You can only go so far in a pickup..You cannot get into the places I go to hunt with any pickup truck,just to camp and as close to where you hunt..My wife can take our mini van to hunting camp and often does so I can stay longer so 2WD vs 4WD is just not an issue to where I go..

I prefer a TC over a small TT simply because I can turn around anywhere vs backing out..

Horses are the perfect choice for Elk hunting Idaho but I gave those up a few years ago..Now the Yamaha Rhino is my perfect choice for old age..

jaycocreek wrote:

Do you "Really Need" a 4X4 with a truck camper?..

Do you really want to save $1000+- on a $60,000 truck?

Ok, I give up. I now believe a 2wd drw truck is the perfect choice for you going elk hunting in the winter in Idaho while towing a trailer. Perfect choice. Carry on men! :) :) :)

bradw

Z-Peller wrote:
Well, honestly, I travelled all over BC, Texas, Alaska, east to Newfoundland, many trips to Arizona, all with camper on 2 w/d truck, and never an issue. Drove in snow at times too.....however, this was never off road travel....When I bought a trailer I decided I might need 4x4 just for backing into some soft ground camping spots, or towing in snow if I got caught getting over a pass....this proved to be a good thing as 4x4 did save my butt a couple of times with the trailer.....now I into a camper again with 4x4 truck and honestly, only use it for climbing up onto blocks when leveling at camping spot.

Good post, having used your TC with both 2WD and 4WD and by the way,that Bigfoot 10.4 is #1 on my list for my last truck camper to ever buy.The wife even likes it..LOL

Sliding-into-home wrote:

Z-Peller wrote:

It’s GVW not GVWR. Back to my point of needing a truck without truck camper, law or not, almost all trucks are under 10K GVW unless you are hauling a significant load.

Sorry, but that is not correct....
GVW =Gross Vehicle Weight. This is what my vehicle weighs at any given time according to how it is loaded. This is not known by anyone without driving over a scale.

GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This is what is on the manufacturer door post sticker weight rating for my vehicle. This is the rating posted on the road signs. This would be the only reference figures a LEO could use. They have no way of knowing my GVW unless they had a portable road scale.

GVW is actually what the letter of the law says in Oregon.

https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_734-017-0015

(edit: I think they're still maybe referring to GVWR with the phrase "rated gross vehicle weight."

In WA, it is based on your registered GVWR: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=204-24-050

Ditto. The two DRWs I've owned would get stuck on wet grass in my yard in 2wd. With all the weight of that big motor over the front tires, rear wheel traction is minimal.

bradw

I here that a lot but honestly,I have never had that happen infact,just the opposite when compared to my son's Chevy HD 2500 4X4 in 2WD..I can get around better than he can with both in 2WD..

I don't know if it's the tires/size or having 4 instead of 2..My tires are the 215/85/16 and it seems most other DRW's are larger diameter giving less room between the duallies..

When I first got my 2WD DRW I went just out of town to the ski area in snow with the TC loaded during hunting season..I slid pretty good and I was really worried about my choice of a 2WD DRW..

I quickly went to the local Les Schwabs and had them sipe my Cooper AT3 tires..They were new when I bought the truck and did not want to buy new tires..Once siped,the next day I went to the same spot up the hill,still snow covered and icy...Never did slide again...

A Night and Day difference with siped tires..I know they don't last as long with aggressive siping but the weather will get my tires before mileage does..