SRW 3500 2WD vs 4WD

[pjberny5]

Deciding if I should purchase a 2WD or 4WD SWR 3500 but need a little advice from those of you who have a 2WD or have had both. Total 5th wheel weight loaded is around 13,500 so do not need a dually and the SWR fits in my garage The other factor is the price. Can buy a 2WD this time of year for 5-6 thousand less than a 4WD.

[TransFueler]

This is like those "what speed do you tow" threads: Those folks going faster than me are dang fools. Those folks going slower than me are idiots...

Lot's of anecdotal, and often irrelevant opinions; Folks stating no one uses their RV's in winter. Flatlanders in Texas who never see a slippery back road. SoCal desert rats who wouldn't think of venturing out in a 2WD. Etc...

You're an idiot of you don't have 4WD. You're a dang fool of you do have 4WD...

If you think you need or simply want 4WD, get it. In reality, it really doesn't materially affect towing capacity, etc. If the slightly reduced fuel mileage, or slightly higher maintenance cost is really a factor, you should probably be driving a Prius...

I happen to own two light pickups, one 2WD & one 4WD. Does that make me an idiot, a fool or a genius?

[KeithAS]

Not reading the whole thread, but for moving an RV in 4Wd territory, or pulling a wheel up on a Trailer Aid, 4WD makes life easier.

[rhagfo]

RustyJC wrote:
Man, those pictures make me glad I moved from Ohio (where I spent 22 years) back to southeast Texas!! My trucks and RVs have never seen snow and ice (and the associated salt) and never will if I can help it.

Rusty

Well in Oregon they don't use salt, gravel and plow. One other thing to keep in mind the colder the conditions the better the traction. I learned to drive on snow that falls at 34 to 30 degrees. VERY wet, can be very slippery, something about water and ice together.
Once below about 28 degrees, it is much dryer, and at about 20 degrees, not much worse than wet roads.

[RustyJC]

Man, those pictures make me glad I moved from Ohio (where I spent 22 years) back to southeast Texas!! My trucks and RVs have never seen snow and ice (and the associated salt) and never will if I can help it.

Rusty

[rhagfo]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

rkassl wrote:
Just purchasing a 2016 GMC with 4WD. Trading off a 4WD, salesman said that in our area a truck without 4WD is not marketable. That said who ever pulls in 4WD?

You just had to ask didn't you!:S

Yes,'I will tow in 4X4 when the need arises!

Reasons for 4wd IMHO are, wife calls it's dusk and she is stuck in a road that turned to sand I explained how to turn on 4low and she drove out no problem, true story. Foothills outside of PalmSprings no cell coverage gravel road turns to sand bogged down turned on 4w drove right thru. Would have been stuck miles from a road no one else around, true story. Place in 4low when backing up a steep hill or banking up on blocking several inches thick to get the rv level.

Ease of sale later also well worth 4wd. If you are using the weight difference as an excuse not to get 4wd then a bigger truck is in order.

The thing with snow and ice, is not to fear it, BUT to RESPECT IT!! Know your limits and your rigs limits. Drive at a safe speed, maintain a good following distance, both Cummins and our pictures you see that we allow plenty of distance to react.

Yes, my biggest fear is the other driver, but deal with that as necessary.

[laknox]

Timay wrote:

rkassl wrote:
That said who ever pulls in 4WD?

LOL! Only those getting themselves out of a quagmire! Maybe - what - a quarter mile?

Tim

I do, going down a dirt road for several miles to our annual boondock site. Even small washboards, which can cause an unloaded truck to dance like Bojangles, will make my truck "walk" a bit in the corners while towing. Using 4wd, takes this completely out. I'm talking at speeds of 15-30 mph, max. I also use 4LO on a stretch of somewhat rocky road, about 200 yards long, just so I can creep over it without rocking things. I also had to use it in a gravel campground down in Mexico, when a trailer wheel dropped into a slight hole. That pea gravel just gave me no traction; popped it into 4wd and out she came. YMMV...

Lyle

[Cummins12V98]

avvidclif1 wrote:
RHAGFO....Don't need it. You won't EVER find me in that situation. I know how to check the weather, drive further south, or don't move.

Living in the NW you just deal with the card as they are played to you. Proper equipment will allow you to go where you want and when you want within reason.

[Cummins12V98]

rhagfo wrote:

rkassl wrote:
Just purchasing a 2016 GMC with 4WD. Trading off a 4WD, salesman said that in our area a truck without 4WD is not marketable. That said who ever pulls in 4WD?

You just had to ask didn't you!:S

Yes,'I will tow in 4X4 when the need arises!

Reasons for 4wd IMHO are, wife calls it's dusk and she is stuck in a road that turned to sand I explained how to turn on 4low and she drove out no problem, true story. Foothills outside of PalmSprings no cell coverage gravel road turns to sand bogged down turned on 4w drove right thru. Would have been stuck miles from a road no one else around, true story. Place in 4low when backing up a steep hill or banking up on blocking several inches thick to get the rv level.

Ease of sale later also well worth 4wd. If you are using the weight difference as an excuse not to get 4wd then a bigger truck is in order.

[avvidclif1]

RHAGFO....Don't need it. You won't EVER find me in that situation. I know how to check the weather, drive further south, or don't move.

[rhagfo]

rkassl wrote:
Just purchasing a 2016 GMC with 4WD. Trading off a 4WD, salesman said that in our area a truck without 4WD is not marketable. That said who ever pulls in 4WD?

You just had to ask didn't you!:S

Yes,'I will tow in 4X4 when the need arises!

[Dayle1]

pjberny5 wrote:
Deciding if I should purchase a 2WD or 4WD SWR 3500 but need a little advice from those of you who have a 2WD or have had both. Total 5th wheel weight loaded is around 13,500 so do not need a dually and the SWR fits in my garage The other factor is the price. Can buy a 2WD this time of year for 5-6 thousand less than a 4WD.

While I've never owned or needed 4wd for towing since '89, clearly other RVers have different needs or desires that have been stated. But if what you say is true, your real question is this, 'is 4WD worth $5k more?' That is a huge price difference and extremely hard to justify the benefit. That difference is like saying ' I'd rather spend $5-6K for 4WD for miscellaneous needs than a similar amount for a diesel option that benefits every single towing mile.' For that price, I'll take the diesel every time. Oh, yeah that is what I did.:B

[Timay]

rkassl wrote:
That said who ever pulls in 4WD?

LOL! Only those getting themselves out of a quagmire! Maybe - what - a quarter mile?

Tim

[restlesswind]

If you don't have a 4WD, it's a good idea to have front tow hooks installed. It will make it much easier to hook up when you need to get towed out. No need to ask how I know...I drive a 2WD...with the front tow hooks.

[rkassl]

Just purchasing a 2016 GMC with 4WD. Trading off a 4WD, salesman said that in our area a truck without 4WD is not marketable. That said who ever pulls in 4WD?