2wd vs 4wd

the best thing about 4 wheel trucks is they can be pull by a 2 wheel truck when they get stuck.

I think it depends on where you live and what you do. If you're in the south or southern Cal I doubt you'd use 4wd much so it may be a waste of money.

I'd have a hard time getting by without 4wd where I live - I use it all the time offroad on camping/hunting/fishing trips and during the winter on snow and ice. There are actually very few 2wd trucks or SUVs in Idaho. If you want one you'd have to special order it cause the dealerships don't stock them. The other issue for me would be resale - nobody here wants a 2wd truck so they're not worth much used.

I have only had 2wd towing last 5 trailers over past 20 years and have never been in a situation where I would need it. I would not take my trailer into a situation where I might need 4wd. All trucks have been 2wd and are daily drivers.

I too will be getting a 4x4 the next time around.

The current 4x2 worked fine with our old 4000# trailer, but with the new heavier 7500# trailer, I keep running into problems on level, but wet&soft, grassy ground. Getting tired of ripping up the lawn. Sandy sites too are a problem.

Grit dog wrote:

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You're completely misinformed on most accounts here. The last 4wd transfer case that didn't act well on dry pavement in 4wd was the NP 205 in early 80s pickups. Maybe some jeeps for a few years after that. Any new or newer 4wd can be driven as far as you want in 4 wdh on dry roads, however unnecessary.
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My 2009 Tacoma 4x4 could not. You could feel the heat and smell the stink if you mistakenly left it on for a short while on dry hard roads.

And according to Ford F150 manual: "4WD should not be operated on dry pavement; driveline damage may occur."

The higher end F150s have a "Full-time 4x4" or AWD that can be left on all the time.

camperfamily wrote:
Since my truck is a daily driver in NJ and I have to be at work no matter the weather, 4x4 required.

For rving... I've gotten into/ out of spots I could not have with a 2WD. Been stuck 2x on muddy grass. Once 4x4 got me out. The other time the mud was too much and it was uphill. Got pulled out by a friend who's trucks was on the road.

For where I live and the way we camp its a requirement. For others, its not. It's a personal choice that you have to decide on. Think about what you do now and plan to do. Then consider if those plans warrant a 4x4. Make a pro and con list if you want; sometimes they help clarify.

Shocking. I must have been doing it wrong all these years in Michgian where I also must get to work every day...yet 2wd has worked fine.

Then again the OP's tag says he's from Georgia so major snowfall is probably not a big concern.

To the OP: As others have said, if you have to ask the question, you don't need it.

Having 4X4 isn't always necessary when one is towing but it sure makes not towing a lot more fun, especially in places like Utah, Montana, and Arizona. We used to have an F250 diesel 4X4 and while we couldn't go nearly as many places as a jeep (due to length and weight) we could go a hell of a lot more places than any 4X2.

I used four wheel drive my last camping trip. Backing up a steep approach to a site, my WDH caused excess weight to lift off my rear tires, causing me to spin on the pea stone. Put it in 4 low and backed up the hill onto the 2x8 for leveling without touching the throttle.

boingram wrote:
Hi all...time to open another can of worms...we r going to purchase a 2015 2500 denali duramax crew...just don't see the need for 4wd...how abt some non male ego driven opinions on the subject. ..thx...bo

If you don't see the need for it then don't get it?

Methinks the intent was indeed to open the can of worms.

As far as 4 wd not helping in turning or stopping, you have obviously never driven in snow with 4wd so don't spout false statements.

I don't have a 4x but I'm still trying to figure out how a 4x stops better that 2WD? :h Please explain?