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bsteff's avatar
bsteff
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013

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 recall one time, when I was a boy traveling with my parents that a 4x4 would have been useful. I am now 65. Obviously, I would rather not get 4x4 (something else to go wrong), but I don't want to end up wishing I had. We will be traveling in the western USA for the foreseeable future and pulling 5-6.5k TT. I live in Alabama.
Tow Vehicles

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  • sky_free's avatar
    sky_free
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2013
    Sounds like you would be fine with 2WD, but keep in mind that it might be harder to sell a 2WD truck when you want to move on if it is anything above work truck trim. Most buyers are looking for 4WD trucks unless it is a basic beater work truck. For me personally I will never buy a 2WD again after my years getting stuck in snow with one in Colorado.
  • The_Mad_Norsky's avatar
    The_Mad_Norsky
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2013
    Please be aware that with the trucks nowadays there is very little maintenance needed with the 4 X 4 system.

    Those who tell you different are just spreading myth and urban legends.

    That said, I would say, based on your statement, that you do not need it. 4 X 2 should continue to do fine for you.
  • Bionic_Man's avatar
    Bionic_Man
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2013
    I would never consider a 4x2, but I live in Colorado and use my truck for more than just towing.

    Others have covered the topic well. If you are not driving in snow, off road, etc., you may not need it.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 23, 2013
    Roughly 60 yrs and you haven't needed it...........

    We FT and I had one place where a 4X4 would have helped....wet grass.
    Then I changed the OEM highway thread tires to a slightly more aggressive thread tire.

    Grew up in Utah & Wyoming.......didn't need 4X4. Had some 4X4 trucks. They just made me have to walk farther :B

    4x4 have their place. As do 4X2s.
    I don't tow where 4X4 is needed......key word 'Needed"

    You're paying the freight.....you get to decide. It's gonna be your truck.
    So do you 'need' 4X4? You so far haven't.
  • wmoses's avatar
    wmoses
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2013
    All things being equal the 4x2 has more towing capacity than a 4x4. So as said before, unless you intend to drive off-road or through significant wintry conditions, you won't need a 4x4.
  • Supercharged's avatar
    Supercharged
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2013
    People who own 4x4's like to be sold things they don't need. They can't help it, it's just that way. The only people who need 4x4's are utl. company, loggers, ranchers, city's, and towns in the snow area's, the dealer make a lot of extra money sell the guy that thinks he needs everything. All that extra fuel burned is bad for global warming.
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Oct 23, 2013
    Are you going to be traveling off the beaten path or during snowy weather? I have a 2 wheel drive because I can answer "No" to both of those things. It is a dedicated tow vehicle, I don't travel on dirt roads, and if the weather is bad I have something else to drive.

    I don't need the added weight, complexity, and maintenance of 4-wheel drive parts. I bought it to tow my fifth wheel and I don't care about resale either. It all depends on what you're going to do with it.

    "Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks."

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