Forum Discussion

Baja_Man's avatar
Baja_Man
Explorer
May 07, 2017

4X2 or 4X4 for towing and general use...what say you?

Considering a new 2017 Ram 2500, 6.4L Hemi, 4X2, Crew Cab, Long Bed. It is a few niceties, but it is a pretty basic truck.

See window sticker below (click twice to enlarge)

What say those of you that tow with a 4X2?
Has it worked well for you?
Is it something you wished was a 4X4?

I will pull a boat 2x per month...launch ramps I use at 6 different lakes do not require 4X4.

In fact I never used a ramp in 30 years in CA/AZ/NV that required 4X4, lakes or ocean. SD/LB/LA salt water fishing is a few times a year and those ramps also do not require 4X4.

I will purchase a used 28-30'TT with 10,000# MAX. I will pull it about 6-10 times per year, approx 50-600 miles one way. Starting next summer 2018 I'll be able to go on longer trips.....say 1500 miles one way.

I live in an area that rarely sees precipitation...which is sad

I don't plan on visiting areas during their snow season (except maybe some snow snow in Eastern Sierras for trout season and fly fishing.....and if I did encounter snow...there are always chains. Don't big rigs travel everywhere without 4X4? They use chains I believe.

I don't go off road except for the occasional dirt/gravel road while fishing or camping with TT.

Thoughts?



Click For Full-Size Image.
Tow Vehicles
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    May 07, 2017
    honestly. I have never needed 4x4 while towing any of my campers. and I have been doing it for more than 30 years. In all kinds of Campgrounds from beach to mountains. I have had 4x4 TVs, just never needed it to tow. and I never got stuck on wet grass either. Even though my Tt is parked down a hill on grass. My current TV is 4x4. Not because I wanted 4x4 but because the truck came with it. I didn't look for a truck with 4x4. Didn't care if it had it or not. Prolly will never use it.


    Limited slip is good to have though. Again not a got to have.
  • Mortimer_Brewst's avatar
    Mortimer_Brewst
    Explorer II
    May 07, 2017
    I've used 4WD to get out of campsites after a rainy night. It also makes backing up easier when hitching up. It's not absolutely necessary but you'll be glad to have when you need it.
  • cbshoestring's avatar
    cbshoestring
    Explorer II
    May 07, 2017
    Two wheel driving a pickup for 18 years in western PA (15 Dodge Dakota, last 3 with a RAM.

    Can honestly say I almost got stuck once in the snow, never while towing boat or trailer.

    Last year I finally bought some sand bags to throw in the bed. I figured it would help with the slipping and sliding. They come out in the summer...we camp in CG's that normally have paved or gravel roads. No off road for us. The gravel can occasionally cause a bit of spin if backing up hill...easily overcome.

    Do I wish I had 4x4...maybe once or twice a winter. Rest of the time...it would be an unused button on the dash
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    May 07, 2017
    Worst case you can add a limited slip or locking differential to help.
    Good tires will also help.
    So I guess I am saying with no compelling reason to get 4x4 the 2WD should serve fine.

    Make sure you have enough payload or go 3500 SRW.
  • Bionic_Man's avatar
    Bionic_Man
    Explorer
    May 07, 2017
    Personally, I would not buy a 4x2 truck. There have been a handful of times that I needed it with my RV, as well as with my boat. Resale in my area is nearly impossible without 4x4 as well.

    But you seem to have thought out your situation, and from the sound of it, a 4x2 will work.

    Sounds like a nice truck by the way.
  • Baja_Man's avatar
    Baja_Man
    Explorer
    May 07, 2017
    time2roll wrote:
    Worst case you can add a limited slip or locking differential to help.
    Good tires will also help.

    Make sure you have enough payload or go 3500 SRW.



    If you see the window sticker (click twice to enlarge) you can see it has a 4.10 rear axle and antispin options

    Payload: 3479#
    Towing: 15,810#
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    May 07, 2017
    time2roll wrote:
    Worst case you can add a limited slip or locking differential to help.
    Good tires will also help.

    Make sure you have enough payload or go 3500 SRW.


    Uhh, he said he's towing a 10k trailer. He's good.

    Not sure what the question is. OP been dunking boats foes however long with a 2 wheeler. Sounds like the intended use would be fine with a 2 wheeler.
  • samsontdog's avatar
    samsontdog
    Explorer
    May 07, 2017
    I have had both, 4x2 and 4x 4. In over 55 years of towing I have used 4x4 one time on wet grass to get out of my camping site. I will never buy another 4x4
    tow rig. It is hard to find a new F250 with 4x2, lwb. All the Dealers have a lot of 4x4 for sale
  • alexleblanc's avatar
    alexleblanc
    Explorer
    May 07, 2017
    Up here lots of campground are on grass and I've seen a few times where I needed 4wd to get my truck and camper out, not to mention the time I had to pull my fathers 2wd Tundra attached to his 30ft TT about 50ft up a small incline at a local stock car race we had stayed at for the weekend.

    In my experience it's better having it and not needing it than the alternative, plus you should be able to get back what you paid extra for the most part when you sell in the future.

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