2WD vs 4WD

[Veebyes]

Every so often I get to wondering what my 2006 Chevy might be worth, not that there is any reason to sell it, so I go hunting around online.

I must have a very rare one because 2WD crewcab longbox duallys are tough to find. If you live in snow country or do alot of dirt backroads then I can understand the justification for the 4WD. I'd guess that this is a small group.

Like the majority I am a summer traveler. Yes, I have driven in the odd snow shower but I have never seen a snowplow in action from my drivers seat. 7 years, 120,000 plus miles, all states, Alaska twice, stuck only twice. Both times stuck, once in a CG due to a very late season snowstorm & once on a hayfield at the Oskosh airshow after a night of rain & many tearing up the ground before me. Both times I got myself out.

So, all you people with your 4WD, really & truly how many times have you really NEEDED & used you 4WD to get yourselves out of a slippery situation while having your 5er on the back?

One thing I do carry is a decent tow rope, never used, just in case.

[ford_truck_guy]

4X4 for me... But my vehicle is only used for two things now... In the summer it's towing.. In the winter it's snow removal with my 8-1/2 ' Fisher snow plow.

[john_bet]

When the manufactures make a 4wd truck that sits as low or lower than my 2wd truck then I might consider one to tow an rv with. Just might. But they probably wont. Seams they keep going higher and higher.

[Veebyes]

Dave H M wrote:
Veebyes, I bet you are sitting back just doubled up with laughter.

I bet one could start a dually, 2WD, zaust brake, super man chip, diesel, and on and on every day and cyber space would be cluttered with the same ole replies. :B

Just like a Walmart thread.:R Ah well....it all helps winter pass by.

[Rancher_Will]

This is a personal choice, depending on need.

Here on our ranches we have both 4X4's and 4X2's trucks. I drive both types almost every day. When my wife and I travel with our 40ft Monty we always drive with a 2 wheel drive Dodge D3500. During over 60 years driving and pulling each of our 5 RV's that we have owned, I can't remember needing a 4 wheel drive truck on any of our trips.

On our ranches, working in the fields and pulling stock, horse, and flatbed trailers we use 4WD most of the time since we are off of a solid road much of the time.

Since we live in the mountains of Colorado, I install studded Winter Tires on all of our light trucks and autos every Fall for safety. We carry tire chains in all of our light trucks also but rarely have to install them since we have the studded tires mounted. In fact I have never installed a set of tire chains on my Dodge D3500 truck that I use with the RV since it was new 10 years ago. It still has a brand new set of chains in the tool box.

Our heavy trucks (semis) all have Automatic Chains installed so the driver never has to stop to install or remove tire chains in the winter. The Auto Chains remain installed all year around for all 4 rear drive wheels.

[GPG52_]

As a northern Ontario 12 year commercial traveler for International Harvester I appreciated the 4x4 feature in my Scouts II's and Scout Travelers.
Once I moved to an urban setting I opted out of having a 4x4...nowadays the roughest terrain I travel is the tire stop bump in the local car wash. ("put your car in neutral, foot off the brake, hands of the steering wheel...."):B
A 4x4 tends to have a better resale/trade in value. You can debate the added cost, added weight and long term added maintenance.
I have just factory ordered a new 2014 Ford F250 and opted for 4x4 and even had a snow plow package ($160.00) installed not because I intend on using either but when it comes time to sell I figure I will be able to draw interest from both private and commercial purchasers.
As most have stated... all a matter of personal preference.
GPG 🙂

[Dave_H_M]

Veebyes, I bet you are sitting back just doubled up with laughter.

I bet one could start a dually, 2WD, zaust brake, super man chip, diesel, and on and on every day and cyber space would be cluttered with the same ole replies. :B

[JTrac]

When I bought my 2012 I had to order it to get a 2wd. I knew I would be at the upper limits of the trucks capacity and did not want the extra weight of the 4wd. Now that I have ordered a dually I wish I had sprung for the extra $3K because the trade-in value, according to Kelly BB, of my 2wd is $4400 less than the 4wd version. Even though I really don't want it the new one will be a 4wd.

[tragusa3]

I've never had it and never needed it. Now that I've owned one for only a few months, I've "needed" it several times. 😉 I might be looking for uses, but it is fun!

[Veebyes]

As happy as I am with my 2wd & after 7 years & 140,000 miles on it never needing 4wd, though it mould have helped a couple times, I guess if I ever replace it I'll get a 4wd. I sure don't need it, not being a farmer or a winter driver, but simply for the ease of selling it later on.

What I'd really like over 4wd would be a locking rear diff. Figure that would get my hide out of trouble especially with the weight of the trailer ontop of it just to get going those few feet when needed.

[dshizzel]

Though I'm not the OP, this thread made up my mind for me -- 4WD. My previous '99 2500 was 2wd, and it was fine, but I'd ordered it from the factory that way. I can't find anything out there (much) in 2WD, so by taking 2WD off the table, I have lots of choices.

Thanks!

[mowermech]

I have to wonder...
WHY all the justifications for buying a 4X4?
Why not just say, "I wanted it, so I bought it!"
That is all the justification I need for having two of them.
Of course, I used the same justification for the '94 dodge Ram 3500 CTD 4X2; "I wanted it, so I bought it! It took me where I wanted to go and brought me home. I can't ask for more than that."

[Cummins12V98]

Reasons for a 4x4

Re sale value.

Ease of sale.

Backing the RV up hill in 4 low is really nice.

Stuck in the sand on a hot day 10 miles off the beaten path.

I will buy 4x4 again.

[DSteiner51]

I've seen two Ford 1 ton dually's throw oil out the front bearing on their auto trannies maneuvering around in the campground. Even if 4 WD isn't needed just shifting the transfer case into low range makes maneuvering a snap. Especially backing into an uphill campsite which is what both were doing when they blew the seal. The one time I backed in the campsite beside them so effortlessly that the owner of the dually wouldn't talk to me. The other happened at an Ohio RV.net rally. He had 4WD but didn't use it until the seal was already history.

[richheck]

avvidclif1 wrote:

richheck wrote:
Avvidclif1:

Just sold a 2005 f350 4x4 DWD and got an extra $3,500.00 being it was 4x4, I thought that proved it was not a bad investment back in 2004 when I bought the first truck, sure if you wait 20 years to upgrade there becomes a point of diminishing return on your original investment.

If you didn't read it my TV is a 2009.

Yes, but we are pricing DWD not SWD if you read the OP's original post. Big difference