4 Wheel Drive or not

[Chicat]

We are buying a Heartland Bighorn 3875 FB fifth wheel which the GVRW is rated at 16,000 lbs. and the hitch weight is listed at 3010 lbs. We originally wanted to buy a Silverado 3500 4X4 long bed diesel with duel rear wheels. I can save $12,000 on a used vehicle with only a 2 wheel drive and 13,000 miles. I am asking if we really need the 4 wheel drive ???


Thank you everyone for your suggestions and experiences, we got the dealer to come down on the new 4x4 which made our decision for us.
2015 Silverado 3500 LTZ duel 4x4 we figured might as well have everything needed or not.

[Trailduster79]

I have only ever owned 4x4 trucks, but I do more than just pull my camper with mine. I have been in a couple places camping that if I didn't have 4x4 I would still be there, and it was just because of recent rains.

If I was doing a lot of long distance camping mostly in RV parks I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 2wd. Not only will it save you money in fuel, it is less parts to wear out.

[Paul_Clancy]

I've posted before about coming to a halt on a hill in a pass while towing because of police directing traffic around an accident. This was summer and there was morning dew on the bridge. As we were signalled to proceed I could see a semi loaded with rebar on the inside lane with his drive wheels spinning on the concrete. We started and my back tires went slowly sideways. Tried again and more sideways so pin weight was not helping. After my duh moment I switched the dial to 4wd and pulled easily up the hill. After that I knew always 4wd for me.

[Coach-man]

Used to own Dodge 3500 2WD with diesel, it is amazing how quickly you can get one of those stuck, in my case in sand! As stated with the FW you have a little more weight on the rear wheels, but I could see scenarios where you could quickly get into a problem with 2WD!

[slarsen]

I got a 4X4 because it came with the model I wanted. Couldn't really see any practical benefit, and in the first year I never used it.

But on two occasions this year, once in Atlanta at Stone Mountain and once in Indiana at a state campground, I was given a spot that required me to back up, uphill, on gravel to hook up to my 5th wheel trailer. Both times, I started to dig holes in 2-wheel, but when put into 4-wheel, it backed up perfectly with no spinning. Those big truck tires can dig quite a hole in a single second!

Anyway, glad I have a 4X4, but if faced with the choice vs the expense, I'm not sure what I'd do.

[kennethwooster]

I've farmed for 45 years, and we used 4 wheel drive in the mud more then snow. However; when I got into feeder calves, we would have to get to them regardless of the weather. For years we used 2 wheel drive, and it was always a stress to know if we could get there or not. However, today I don't get out in the mud anymore. I've always had 4X4 since I started pulling an RV. I like having it' Been a few times I had to have it to get into a spot. I have a 2 wheel drive Jeep Liberty, that is hopeless on snow and ice. I go get the truck for those conditions. It's just a good option.

[Gib3633]

You will be the first to know when you need it. I needed it my first trip. I couldn't pull through because of location of phone co. post and I couldn't back out because it rained and I was on gravely ground and rear wheels spun. Reached over turned knob and backed out. Been in a couple other places where after a severe amount of rain and parked on grass it wasn't worth trying to move for the trouble of turning a knob especially when the motor holme across the street was sunk up to the rims. If you don't have it you won't use it. If you do have it you might use it.

[Paul_Clancy]

GoPackGo wrote:
Having lived in snow country for a long time, I believe there is no worse vehicle in the snow then a 2WD truck (or RWD van). Because there's no weight over the drive wheels. The trucks would probably work much better if carrying a truck camper or towing a 5th wheel.

I haven't paid too much attention, but maybe those Alaska troopers are driving front wheel drive (FWD) cars these days. A FWD vehicle with good tires does extremely well in snow. In fact, when I had FWD cars, I used to put 2 real snow tires on a set of extra rims and switch them out every December, then switch back about 1 March. I could go just about anywhere in the snow. But even without snow tires, a FWD car does surprisingly well in snow or other slippery conditions, because of all the engine and transaxle weight right over the drive wheels.

You sir Nailed IT. Driving in slippery condition weight over the driving and steering wheels = a feeling of being completely hooked up. When I lock in the front diff the weight of the diesel over the drive tires is priceless for great traction and control. The challenge is to hold back throttle to not break loose but I find that pretty easy. Rwd may have its place but not for me in winter.

[GoPackGo]

Having lived in snow country for a long time, I believe there is no worse vehicle in the snow then a 2WD truck (or RWD van). Because there's no weight over the drive wheels. The trucks would probably work much better if carrying a truck camper or towing a 5th wheel.

I haven't paid too much attention, but maybe those Alaska troopers are driving front wheel drive (FWD) cars these days. A FWD vehicle with good tires does extremely well in snow. In fact, when I had FWD cars, I used to put 2 real snow tires on a set of extra rims and switch them out every December, then switch back about 1 March. I could go just about anywhere in the snow. But even without snow tires, a FWD car does surprisingly well in snow or other slippery conditions, because of all the engine and transaxle weight right over the drive wheels.

[retispcsi]

The choice is yours. The pros are the truck is less expensive. But it will be tougher to unload when the time comes. I spent most my life in NW Illinois. Drove lots of 2 wheel drive Fords and Chevies on icy roads. Doesn't mean I liked it. First tow veh. was 2 wheel drive 3/4 ton got stuck on wet grass. Last four trucks have all been 4 wheel drive. The last two drw. I have live in SW Fla. but I travel the country. For me it is like insurance, it has come in handy more then once. I won't leave home without it. Good luck there is no right or wrong way to go just what you want.

[rhagfo]

Me Again wrote:
I have driven on the extremely cold Alaska frozen roads. They are quite tacky, and I did not have issues as a outsider. At least with the roads!

X2
Driving on cold snow (below 25 degrees) it becomes no worse than a wet road.

[Me_Again]

I have driven on the extremely cold Alaska frozen roads. They are quite tacky, and I did not have issues as a outsider. At least with the roads!

[JIMNLIN]

bpounds wrote:

Veebyes wrote:
How in the world do those Alaska State Troopers manage to survive on all of those snowy, icy, muddy, gravely roads with only 2wd patrol cars?

How do cops across the rest of the country manage to do the same thing? Are they that much better drivers?

They stay on roads.

How many Alaska Game and Fish officers have you seen in 2WD trucks?

Roads? How boring!!!

Lots of 4x4 vehicles in state and county LEO arena.
And some don't make it in a snow storm if you listen to a PB scanner tuned in to state and local county sheriffs dispatch.
Alaska state LEO folks don't pull a 15k-20k trailer or carry a 4k-6k truck camper.

Police vehicle vs a truck for towing hauling is a poor analogy.

[Lazydude]

I use 2WD to get me there and 4WD to get me home.

[bpounds]

Veebyes wrote:
How in the world do those Alaska State Troopers manage to survive on all of those snowy, icy, muddy, gravely roads with only 2wd patrol cars?

How do cops across the rest of the country manage to do the same thing? Are they that much better drivers?

They stay on roads.

How many Alaska Game and Fish officers have you seen in 2WD trucks?

Roads? How boring!!!