2WD vs 4WD tow vehicle

[McObra]

DW and I are considering purchasing a fifth wheel and a tow vehicle.
The trailer would be in the 30-33 ft range. The theoretical tow vehicle would be a fairly new (less than four model years old) F-350, diesel, crew cab, short box, single rear wheel.
My question is;
is there any advantage to towing with a 2 wheel drive truck, as opposed to towing with a 4 wheel drive truck?
We would most likely use the rig as a way to escape the summer heat here in AZ, and would most likely travel and see more of this great country. For the past several summers, we have driven between 7,000 and 10,000 miles each summer, sightseeing in the family sedan.
Thanks for your consideration.

[GPG52_]

Like most have said it is a matter of personal preference.
For the most part and normal towing 4x4 should not be necessary.
4x2 lower cost, less weight, maintenance etc.
However my take on it is a 4x4 has a higher trade in value (I know higher initial acquisition cost) opening up to after market commercial use i.e. snow plowing, construction, farming etc.
My 2c worth GPG

[rhagfo]

fj12ryder wrote:

The Mad Norsky wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

The Mad Norsky wrote:

Bamaman1 wrote:
Not only did I save $5K, I don't have the future liability related to a transfer case, front axle, drive shafts and front axles. At $100 per labor hour, four wheel drive repairs do get costly.

:h

I read this a lot in some of these 2WD v 4WD threads.

Mind you, I've probably bought more trucks over the years than I really needed to do, all 4WD.

Save for my 1977 Ford F-250, I've NEVER had a transfer case, drive shaft, or front axle problem on ANY of them.

No costly expenditures whatsoever.

1984 Ramcharger
1992 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1996 Ram 2500
2001 Ram 2500
2003 Chevy 3500
2006 Ram 3500
2011 Ford F-350
2014 Ram 3500.

Mind you, I don't Rubicon Trail any of those vehicles. Majority of the 4WD used was icy roads and snow conditions.

But again, never a penny spent on any of them for the listed components.

So I say that using cost of repairs for those items is balderdash. Not so. A myth.

Okay, going by this "logic", if you've never been in an airplane accident, they're a myth. If you've not been in a car accident, they are a myth. If you've never had to rebuild an engine, engine problems are a myth.

Pretty fallacious argument.

Fallacious? Good grief man fallacious is saying you're gonna have to fix things on a four wheel drive if you buy one.

Blanket statements such as that are ridiculous. Why try and scare some poor guy who's never owned one with urban legend and myth?????

I'm NOT saying it cannot happen. But it surely is NOT that common either.

Besides, what can we, each of us, attest to here, other than our own, personal experience????

:S gee, I forgot. This is about tow vehicles, where info from the mailman, who has a cousin's whose neighbor had a friend who had this happen is considered the norm.

In fact you are saying it can't happen, and you're the one making blanket statements. Quote: "So I say that using cost of repairs for those items is balderdash. Not so. A myth."

I'm saying your statement that problems with 4WD are "myths" is fallacious. Fallacious means full of errors, and that pretty much sums up your statement.

I've seen firsthand that there are problems with 4WD components, just like any mechanical thing. You're trying to convince the OP that there are just no problems with 4WD, and that just ain't so.

Well the fact of the matter is that repairs to a 4X4 can be costly, but it would require repair first and now days 4X4's just don't break all that often. So yes you MAY need to pay for a repair IF it breaks.

That said it is still cheap insurance for when you need it or could use it!! Once again PERSONAL CHOICE!

[fj12ryder]

The Mad Norsky wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

The Mad Norsky wrote:

Bamaman1 wrote:
Not only did I save $5K, I don't have the future liability related to a transfer case, front axle, drive shafts and front axles. At $100 per labor hour, four wheel drive repairs do get costly.

:h

I read this a lot in some of these 2WD v 4WD threads.

Mind you, I've probably bought more trucks over the years than I really needed to do, all 4WD.

Save for my 1977 Ford F-250, I've NEVER had a transfer case, drive shaft, or front axle problem on ANY of them.

No costly expenditures whatsoever.

1984 Ramcharger
1992 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1996 Ram 2500
2001 Ram 2500
2003 Chevy 3500
2006 Ram 3500
2011 Ford F-350
2014 Ram 3500.

Mind you, I don't Rubicon Trail any of those vehicles. Majority of the 4WD used was icy roads and snow conditions.

But again, never a penny spent on any of them for the listed components.

So I say that using cost of repairs for those items is balderdash. Not so. A myth.

Okay, going by this "logic", if you've never been in an airplane accident, they're a myth. If you've not been in a car accident, they are a myth. If you've never had to rebuild an engine, engine problems are a myth.

Pretty fallacious argument.

Fallacious? Good grief man fallacious is saying you're gonna have to fix things on a four wheel drive if you buy one.

Blanket statements such as that are ridiculous. Why try and scare some poor guy who's never owned one with urban legend and myth?????

I'm NOT saying it cannot happen. But it surely is NOT that common either.

Besides, what can we, each of us, attest to here, other than our own, personal experience????

:S gee, I forgot. This is about tow vehicles, where info from the mailman, who has a cousin's whose neighbor had a friend who had this happen is considered the norm.

In fact you are saying it can't happen, and you're the one making blanket statements. Quote: "So I say that using cost of repairs for those items is balderdash. Not so. A myth."

I'm saying your statement that problems with 4WD are "myths" is fallacious. Fallacious means full of errors, and that pretty much sums up your statement.

I've seen firsthand that there are problems with 4WD components, just like any mechanical thing. You're trying to convince the OP that there are just no problems with 4WD, and that just ain't so.

[JTrac]

Here's my take, which is worth not much. I have never owned a 4 wheel drive anything until this one, which I got a year ago last May. I ordered it with the 4wd drive because the dealer really dinged my on my 2012 3500 srw 2wd trade, which I also ordered. Around here if it is a 3/4 or 1 ton and not a 4wd nobody wants it. No good reason for it in our area but that is the way it is. I did get lucky and sold the 2012 myself to a very rare person who did not care if it was 4wd or 2wd.

Last fall on a trip to the New England area I had the need for 4wd for the very first time in all our years of traveling. At a park near Boston I was trying to park the fiver and got bogged down in some sand. I put in 4wd low and got right out of it.

[Paul_Clancy]

Unfortunately kindness of strangers doesn't work always and everywhere. A good dose of self reliance goes pretty far. A pass I drive has breakdowns every few miles in summer. If you stopped for all you'd never get home. That's what cell phones and road side assist are for - and 4 wheel drive.

[Dave_H_M]

Look it this issue from a different angle.

Get the 2 WD. throw a tow strap in the bed or storage area. If you get stuck the 4 WD guys will be lining up to pull you out. :B

Reminds me of the time i got stuck with the 2 WD tractor blading snow. In a flash this 4 WD guy stopped and yanked me right out. No charge, he was just having fun. :W

[The_Mad_Norsky]

fj12ryder wrote:

The Mad Norsky wrote:

Bamaman1 wrote:
Not only did I save $5K, I don't have the future liability related to a transfer case, front axle, drive shafts and front axles. At $100 per labor hour, four wheel drive repairs do get costly.

:h

I read this a lot in some of these 2WD v 4WD threads.

Mind you, I've probably bought more trucks over the years than I really needed to do, all 4WD.

Save for my 1977 Ford F-250, I've NEVER had a transfer case, drive shaft, or front axle problem on ANY of them.

No costly expenditures whatsoever.

1984 Ramcharger
1992 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1996 Ram 2500
2001 Ram 2500
2003 Chevy 3500
2006 Ram 3500
2011 Ford F-350
2014 Ram 3500.

Mind you, I don't Rubicon Trail any of those vehicles. Majority of the 4WD used was icy roads and snow conditions.

But again, never a penny spent on any of them for the listed components.

So I say that using cost of repairs for those items is balderdash. Not so. A myth.

Okay, going by this "logic", if you've never been in an airplane accident, they're a myth. If you've not been in a car accident, they are a myth. If you've never had to rebuild an engine, engine problems are a myth.

Pretty fallacious argument.

Fallacious? Good grief man fallacious is saying you're gonna have to fix things on a four wheel drive if you buy one.

Blanket statements such as that are ridiculous. Why try and scare some poor guy who's never owned one with urban legend and myth?????

I'm NOT saying it cannot happen. But it surely is NOT that common either.

Besides, what can we, each of us, attest to here, other than our own, personal experience????

:S gee, I forgot. This is about tow vehicles, where info from the mailman, who has a cousin's whose neighbor had a friend who had this happen is considered the norm.

[Winged_One]

McObra wrote:
Thanks, folks. Lot of good advise.
At this point, I don't plan on boondocking, but also never thought about wet grass in camp grounds, etc.Also, in the winter we would retreat to AZ, so snow wouldn't be an issue. You've given me lots to think about.

Rained most of the freekin weekend. No problems.

[fj12ryder]

The Mad Norsky wrote:

Bamaman1 wrote:
Not only did I save $5K, I don't have the future liability related to a transfer case, front axle, drive shafts and front axles. At $100 per labor hour, four wheel drive repairs do get costly.

:h

I read this a lot in some of these 2WD v 4WD threads.

Mind you, I've probably bought more trucks over the years than I really needed to do, all 4WD.

Save for my 1977 Ford F-250, I've NEVER had a transfer case, drive shaft, or front axle problem on ANY of them.

No costly expenditures whatsoever.

1984 Ramcharger
1992 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1996 Ram 2500
2001 Ram 2500
2003 Chevy 3500
2006 Ram 3500
2011 Ford F-350
2014 Ram 3500.

Mind you, I don't Rubicon Trail any of those vehicles. Majority of the 4WD used was icy roads and snow conditions.

But again, never a penny spent on any of them for the listed components.

So I say that using cost of repairs for those items is balderdash. Not so. A myth.

Okay, going by this "logic", if you've never been in an airplane accident, they're a myth. If you've not been in a car accident, they are a myth. If you've never had to rebuild an engine, engine problems are a myth.

Pretty fallacious argument.

[JIMNLIN]

McObra wrote:
Thanks, folks. Lot of good advise.
At this point, I don't plan on boondocking, but also never thought about wet grass in camp grounds, etc.Also, in the winter we would retreat to AZ, so snow wouldn't be an issue. You've given me lots to think about.

I've towed RVs and made a living towing trailers since the '60s with both and I have 2wd and 4wd trucks still yet....however only you can make that decision.

A 2wd or 4wd I would recommend getting the factory limited slip option. In fact I won't buy or own a 2wd/4wd truck with out it.

[RustyJC]

I've been towing 5th wheels with 2WD duallies since 1996 and have never needed or missed having 4WD. Availability on a dealer's lot makes no difference to me since I always order my trucks equipped for maximum GCWR and GVWR, and I've never had any trouble selling a truck when I'm ready for a new one.

If you need a 4WD because of your climate, terrain or usage profile, then by all means get it, but by no means is it a requirement to tow a 5th wheel RV.

Rusty

[valhalla360]

Coach-man wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Coach-man wrote:
If considering 2WD a limited slip rear is a must! The Diesel weighs a lot more than a gasser, putting more weight on the front axel, less on the rear, if you get into anything slippery the rear tires may start spinning. With limited slip having both rear wheels providing traction will help greatly, otherwise you could have a problem. Just my $0.02 worth, good luck with your truck and rig!

Limited Slip is a good option to have but since we are talking 5th wheels, the OP it probably throwing at least an extra 1500# on the rear axle (probably more like 2000-3000#), so there will be plenty of weight on the rear axle.

I realizethat, but in soft, slippery conditions without limited slip you are not in a 4x2, you are in a 4 x1! With only one rear wheel you could easily get sltuck! Towing a fiver may help with the added weight, but you still tend to spin the rear tire, and dig yourself in. Limited slip could be a cheaper solution to the OP's delema depending on where he drives.

I think you misread my comment. Limited slip is a really nice option with limited cost and complexity for some extra traction.

The idea you are in 4x1 is not correct. It's actually somewhere in the middle. Both rear wheels will provide traction equivilent to the wheel with the least available grip.

Since the available traction is the coefficent of friction times the weight on the wheel, a truck pulling a 5th wheel typically has almost double the traction of an empty truck, so even without it's not as bad as some would make it out to be.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

Bamaman1 wrote:
Not only did I save $5K, I don't have the future liability related to a transfer case, front axle, drive shafts and front axles. At $100 per labor hour, four wheel drive repairs do get costly.

:h

I read this a lot in some of these 2WD v 4WD threads.

Mind you, I've probably bought more trucks over the years than I really needed to do, all 4WD.

Save for my 1977 Ford F-250, I've NEVER had a transfer case, drive shaft, or front axle problem on ANY of them.

No costly expenditures whatsoever.

1984 Ramcharger
1992 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1996 Ram 2500
2001 Ram 2500
2003 Chevy 3500
2006 Ram 3500
2011 Ford F-350
2014 Ram 3500.

Mind you, I don't Rubicon Trail any of those vehicles. Majority of the 4WD used was icy roads and snow conditions.

But again, never a penny spent on any of them for the listed components.

So I say that using cost of repairs for those items is balderdash. Not so. A myth.

[Bamaman11]

This is one of those subjects that's opening a can of worms. I figured for the difference in price, I could afford 75 wrecker calls. So far, I've not had to be pulled out of any situation with my 3/4 ton 2wd truck.

Not only did I save $5K, I don't have the future liability related to a transfer case, front axle, drive shafts and front axles. At $100 per labor hour, four wheel drive repairs do get costly.

It helps that I live in a moderate climate--not too far North and not in Florida where 4x4's are required.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

I've had 4 trucks. My current truck is 4wd. I've used the 4wd many times towing and not. I'd not consider going 2wd after having it.
Jim