Tow vehicle advice: 4x4 or 4x2?
I will be buying a new tow vehicle in next 6 months. Recently I have received a lot of advice to get the new vehicle with 4x4. My old truck was a 4x2 and did fine. Why am I getting this advice? I only...
Forum Discussion
rhagfo wrote:PA12DRVR wrote:
All of the above is somewhat valid, but having driven in Alaska for more than 30 years, what I'd offer is the following:
- 4WD doesn't do a thing for stopping....but if one is on a slight hill awaiting the light to turn green with polished black ice, I'd rather have 4WD than 2WD to get going. Once moving, it's all good, but 4WD sure helps at the start;
- A heavy 2WD vehicle with chains can go some amazing places: a 4WD vehicle with chains can go to more places. My cabin truck is an 83 GMC P/U with 4WD that I chain up anytime I drive into the cabin, spring, summer or fall.
- Folks who decide to drive faster than conditions allow can be seen driving 2WD, 4WD, and everything in between....it's not limited to drivers with 4WD rigs.
The statement in red above is what 80% of the people with 4X4 don't understand, that it gives you extra control, not the ability to go faster and stop quicker. Of course that isn't what the sales man told them. I just plug along with the rest of the crowd, knowing that I can steer better, and get going on an uphill grade, even with the 5er in tow.
Chains, you bet set for the truck and 5er.
Oh the other 20% are kids loosing it screwing around!!!!
I disagree a little with the "doesn't do a thing" comment. 4x4 means all 4 wheels are connected together by the powertrain. If you let off the gas suddenly, downshift or start to the apply the brakes this prevents any one wheel from locking up (especially important prior to ABS). There is also more rolling inertia in the whole system which resists sudden changes better. Icy surfaces are not too responsive to sudden changes in direction or speed.
