4WD vs 2WD
I'll be shopping for a new (or new-ish) truck shortly for pulling a medium size trailer or 5th wheel. It seems like the vast majority of 3/4 and 1 ton trucks around here are 4WD, with jut a few 2WD...
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If you've been towing for a lot of years, and don't think you need it, I would say you don't. Myself, I engage the 4X4 quite often while towing, generally several times a year. My ten year average for towing works out to just a smidgen under 7k miles per year. Both the wife and I have jobs where we work long hours, but get regular extended weekends, and thus often travel several hundred miles for our 3 or 4 day weekend. In the winter, that generally means at least a mountain pass or two that is snow covered at the least, and might involve more than that being we need to get back to work sometimes when the weather is less than optimal.
You can't really off road in a one ton as they aren't suitable for it and I have other vehicles for that sort of use so 4X4 isn't necessarily necessary for us in these situations, although it sometimes provides a benefit when the afternoon thunderstorms strike. 4X4 is a real benefit in the snow however. While front wheel drive and good tires will generally get you going, the added control you get with 4X4 makes the adventure a whole lot safer so I use the truck or our SUV when the snow flies rather than the car when possible for the added maneuverability the 4X4 provides.
You can't really off road in a one ton as they aren't suitable for it and I have other vehicles for that sort of use so 4X4 isn't necessarily necessary for us in these situations, although it sometimes provides a benefit when the afternoon thunderstorms strike. 4X4 is a real benefit in the snow however. While front wheel drive and good tires will generally get you going, the added control you get with 4X4 makes the adventure a whole lot safer so I use the truck or our SUV when the snow flies rather than the car when possible for the added maneuverability the 4X4 provides.
