4x4 vs 2x4

My brother always drives a 2x4 in Southern California. He also pulls a large boat now and then. The only time he wishes he would have it is on the boat dock. They can get pretty slick. I live in Nebraska. A dual wheel pickup truck can get stuck on a flat spot if the road is covered with ice! But with a heavy load on they are not that bad. I have had all 4 wheel drive trucks sense 1988. I think I spent 100 dollars once on 4x4 maintenance. Just depends where your going to be using that rig. I will never forget the guy talking to me at a big box store about how sorry he was he had bought a 6.4 Ford.

ford truck guy wrote:
IF my tow vehicle did not double as my plow truck , it might only be a 4X2 . .

Never needed 4X4 towing , but I guess its nice to have it if needed over needing it and not having it . .

Well every once in a while mother nature throws you a curve! We had spent a beautiful four days on the Oregon Coast the first week of January. We had a couple days of sunshine and a couple days of rain temps in the mid 40's. Then it came time to head home, temps dropped to very low 30's and then it came!

Thank goodness that front tractor was 4x4 or they would have never gotten out of that field! :B



That was a festival we attended several years ago. They kept adding tractors until that 4x4 got in the front and they finally got it out. Not our rig but we had to get pulled out also, we only required one tractor.

As others have stated, the need for 4wd is entirely one of intended usage. We off road in both our TV and Wrangler all year long. About 50% of the time we're camping we're boondocking or in very rustic campgrounds where getting stuck is a real possibility.

If you get 2wd and think you may have the rare occasion camping in places where you might get stuck. If you're going to rely on others to yank you out of trouble make sure to have a good tow strap (NO HOOKS ON THE ENDS) and recovery points attached to the frame at least one one each end, 2 is better.

In the end it's up to you.

jerseyjim wrote:
The first couple responders blasted the 6.4 diesel. Why?

Because the only PSD engine that Ford used that was ever any good was the original - 7.3L. I like not having to remove my cab in order to work on the engine ;-)

Count me as someone who will (hopefully) never own another 2WD truck again. We've used 4x4 when towing our previous TT.

People often use the reasoning of "extra maintenance" when suggesting the CONS of a 4WD truck. They say this while driving the most complicated and maintenance-requiring trucks that have ever been built.

Over the past 20 years of towing and 6 trailers (TT and 5er)I have never had nor ever needed 4 wheel drive.

IF my tow vehicle did not double as my plow truck , it might only be a 4X2 . .

Never needed 4X4 towing , but I guess its nice to have it if needed over needing it and not having it . .

Another argument for 4x4 is the ability to put the driveline in 4x4 low. This makes CG manuviging so much easier since engine idle will easily move the TV and trailer without touching the accelerator.

jerseyjim wrote:
The first couple responders blasted the 6.4 diesel. Why?

Personal experience for me, never blasted it.... Just stating that I would not own one. Your looking at a low production engine used for a short time. Yes I do believe some were very good units like some of the 6.0 engines were really good. But on both of those engines you roll the dice as they say. I just think there is better offerings out there for the money. Now if you own one and you like it, good for you. My buddy has a 6.4 and it has been replaced already. Another friend owns a bullet proofed 6.0 and it has been really good to him. At work we have both, and I will tell u that both engines have cost us a...lot........of money over the years. Now the 6.7 seems to be doing well, hence my recommendation for that engine if your sticking with a Ford. Regardless it's your money buy what you want, each brand has its own issues. For me, I look at the 6.0 and see a bargain. Meaning you could get a really nice F250 with a bad 6.0 and pay very little for it at auction. Then replace the engine with a bullet proof 6.0 and may have 20g in it and have a nice truck for a cheap price. But that's one of my thoughts.

Sorry to get off topic OP.... Just needed to clarify my intentions are not to stear this topic into another and I hope it does not. Whatever truck you decide on is your money, I think that 9k miles is hard to pass up. If it fits your needs and the deal is right... It may be the truck for you. Just research on your own the engine involved. I'm sure you also will have some guys send you some info on it to help the decision process easier. Good luck and enjoy full time! It's a dream of mine that I hope to be there someday.

We camp on the outer beach so 4x4 is mandatory. Living in the North East 4x4 is mandatory with the snow. That being said if you dont live in the snowy regions and do not ever want to camp off road, you think that you might not need it. However we camped in the WHite Mountains and our site was just a little off grade. It rained the noght before departure. I couldnt drive out of the gravel site in 2 wd. I pressed the button to 4wd and we were on our way. Thing I backed into the site and it looked fine. That very slight grade change didnt even click unitl we tried to leave. I would have needed a tow without it.