2WD vs 4WD tow vehicle

The only real question is one only you can answer.

Where do you drive?????

Only on pavement? Dirt roads?? Wet grass???

There are advantages to 4 X 4, but if your travels ONLY take you on paved roads, with no grass campsites or dirt of any kind, then you have no need for it.

McObra wrote:
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.

FWIW, I like to get off-road, and we boondock camp up north at least once a year, so a 4wd is mandatory for me. Also, even on a dirt road, if it's even a little bit rough, having 4wd makes the ride a lot better. I use 4LO to get into our site because the road is a bit rocky in a couple spots. Just allows me to creep along. If you never plan to get off road, then a 2wd will probably serve you very well. Personally, I'll never have another 2wd truck; I simply like the option of it when I need it. You'll have to analyze your camping style and decide what's best for you.

Lyle

The Mad Norsky wrote:
The only real question is one only you can answer.

Where do you drive?????

Only on pavement? Dirt roads?? Wet grass???

There are advantages to 4 X 4, but if your travels ONLY take you on paved roads, with no grass campsites or dirt of any kind, then you have no need for it.

We have it for towing in winter, might see snow, we also pull a horse trailer.

It truly is a personal choice!

Weight capacity will increase a small amount with a 4X2. Most everything else is the same when towing. Not too much of a justifier, but consider the future use of a 4X4 with a transfer case. If you change your configuration and tow your F350, 4 wheels down, you will already have the neutral to disengage your tranny from the rear wheels. In my days past of towing a TT, all the F3500 I could find on GMC lots were diesel and 4X4. Single rear wheel models were just being introduced. I also use the transfer case low range if the back roads are bumpy. Sometimes it takes 4X4 to get over wet grass. 4X4 has allowed us to traveled on vs. turning around. Maybe the market has changed, but a gas engine, 4X2, one ton was impossible to find on a dealers lot. Could have saved $8000 in 2005 if I had wanted to order and wait 9 weeks for a gas version.

Single blade jack knife versus Swiss Army knife. You don't need it till you need it then you are REALLY happy you have it.

You may never use it, BUT, there may be a situation in which you wish you had it...it only take one time!

Good Luck

2500 HD crew w/long bed 8500 lb 5er....can spin some when backing at angle in sand.....so far no need for 4 whl drv.....I just reduce angle and keep rig rolling..and so far has always rolled thru.......going fwd so far no problem

Unless you off road, there is no NEED for it. Even then a big 1 ton truck is a lousy off road vehicle.

The one minor advantage would in 4w-Lo, you can back up a steep hill with a bit more control.

The 2wd will get slightly better MPG, have a little more payload and be less expensive up front (buying new) and less parts to break.

If you are asking the question that shows it should not be a deciding factor in picking a truck.

Percentage wise the added payload of a 2WD can be quite a bit. In my 2004 Duramax 2WD I think it is 370 lbs.

When we were towing a fiver, I did have issues more than once on wet grass. I always got out, but it's a bad feeling when it starts slipping instead of going. If we were to get another fiver, I would not hesitate to use the 2WD truck. But if I was buying from scratch for the purpose, I'd buy 4WD, no doubt. If I needed more payload because of the 4WD weight penalty, I'd buy more truck.

Finally, winter was a problem until I bought dedicated snow tires. Or carry 300 lbs or so behind the fenderwells. That worked well too and had no effect on handling.

Also the up front cost is mostly returned at resale and your truck is far easier to sell (why dealers stock 4wd). I personally have needed 4wd on road many times in mountain passes sept thru April. Also saved me in a situation towing in August on grade on a wet cement bridge just ground down. Others towing (Rv trailers and semis) couldn't get traction to proceed an neither could I in 2wd. Rear locker had both rear tires spinning. Rotate dial to 4 hi and carried on. I have owned 2wd tow vehicle and will not own another.