AllI have a question concerning 4x4 trucks and why I would want one. I will be looking for a new 1 ton truck that will replace my F150 tow vehicle. Everywhere I look at dealer lots and inventory all I see is 4x4s. In the prevailing thought is this better from a towing standpoint? Or is this the dealer and manufacturer conspiring to get more of my cash?I currently have a bumper pull trailer that my 150 can and does pull but I feel right at the line. I have no interest in boondocking or using the truck for anything off road. I know the dealers harp on resale value but I am buying it for me not the next guy. Appreciate you thoughts much. Dukec

My F250 can barely back up a hill in wet grass in 2 wheel drive. I doubt an F350 single wheel would be any better.

Maybe they can find you one . You could order one but that's the longest 2 months of your life. I prefer a 2wd truck for towing our fifth wheel.

Snow.Muddy campsites.Wet grass campsites.Steep gravel campground roads.I've encountered all of those while towing, made me really glad I had 4WD. I pay more per year for insurance (that I hope to never use) than I did one time to get a 4wd truck (that I have used about a dozen times over the last 2 years).

Personal preference, we prefer the 4x4. We have not needed it much, but when we very happy to have it when it was needed.

Honestly,If all you will ever be doing is campsite campground camping and no boon docking or live in an area with little to no snow, there is no need to spend the extra money. We boon dock, steep gravel trails, have snow and mud. 30 years of driving in Colorado and I have always had a 4 wheel drive. Don't always need it, but when I do it's worth it.Personal preference.

4 wheel drive | Good Sam Community

fireman41
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
My F250 can barely back up a hill in wet grass in 2 wheel drive. I doubt an F350 single wheel would be any better.
filrupmark
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
Maybe they can find you one . You could order one but that's the longest 2 months of your life. I prefer a 2wd truck for towing our fifth wheel.
spoon059
Explorer II
Jul 22, 2017
Snow.

Muddy campsites.

Wet grass campsites.

Steep gravel campground roads.

I've encountered all of those while towing, made me really glad I had 4WD. I pay more per year for insurance (that I hope to never use) than I did one time to get a 4wd truck (that I have used about a dozen times over the last 2 years).
reppoc12
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
Personal preference, we prefer the 4x4. We have not needed it much, but when we very happy to have it when it was needed.
morphrider
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
Honestly,
If all you will ever be doing is campsite campground camping and no boon docking or live in an area with little to no snow, there is no need to spend the extra money. We boon dock, steep gravel trails, have snow and mud. 30 years of driving in Colorado and I have always had a 4 wheel drive. Don't always need it, but when I do it's worth it.

Personal preference.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
fireman41 wrote:
My F250 can barely back up a hill in wet grass in 2 wheel drive. I doubt an F350 single wheel would be any better.

Towed our camp trailer and our work trailers for 13 years with two wheel drive no problems.
many folks never get off the hard stuff.

one time we put on chains, the 4 wheelers did too, we stayed right with them all the way over the pass, and removed the chains where they did.

Those chains cost a lot less than the bad gas mileage the 4X4s got.
Redwoodcamper
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
If you haven't ever needed it with your current tow vehicle, then no reason to get it for your next. Personally I use 4wd a couple times a month. I don't live in a city, and us country boys get stuff done with our trucks.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Jul 22, 2017
Redwoodcamper wrote:
If you haven't ever needed it with your current tow vehicle, then no reason to get it for your next. Personally I use 4wd a couple times a month. I don't live in a city, and us country boys get stuff done with our trucks.

His half ton truck doesn't have a 1,100lb engine in the front either.

I recently pulled into a drive to turn around that was layered with crushed granite and I all of a sudden felt the front end sink and I new I was going to be stuck. Put it in reverse and sure enough I was stuck so I turned the switch to 4x4 Hi and then simply backed out. The diesel engine is so heavy that the front end will sink when you least expect it.
BB_TX
Nomad
Jul 22, 2017
I have an F350 FX4 6.7 diesel primarily because that was all I could find on dealer's lots in the higher trim levels I wanted. Have never used 4x4 in 10 yrs of towing the 5er. Some of those sites have been grass and/or native hard packed soil. Have only used it a few times in muddy pastures where I hunt.
dfletch
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
We have a 3500HD Duramax 4X4 crewcab. I went with the 4X4 as we go to events where we park on grass often when wet. I wanted to be sure that when I get ready to leave I can drag my 16k 5th wheel out with me.