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Why 4 X 4

Usnthedog
Explorer
Explorer
Every place you look, every dealer it's all 4 X 4's. I have a 4 X 4 and never use it. Why is it so popular? Is there anyone out there that has a 2 X 4 and is unhappy with the truck? How about with a 4 X 4? My first 2 trucks I bought off the lot hence the 4 X 4. I'm looking to order and almost feel ashamed to consider a 2 X 4. I pull a 12,000# 5th wheel. No mud holes and backroads. Thanks.

And diesel, but that is another post.
99 REPLIES 99

humblerb
Explorer
Explorer
Houston, TX checking in. Recently bought my first RAM 2500 to go with our first FW.
There are a few (heavy emphasis on "few") 4X2 3/4-ton trucks around.
But I would guess they are outnumbered about 100 to 1 in NE Houston.
Went to a large volume dealer on the NE side of town and they did not have one 3/4 ton 4X2 on the lot.
There is no need for a 4X4 here other than status, in my opinion.
I wanted a 4X2 for a variety of reasons - less money, less trans-axle to break down, more towing capacity, more cargo capacity....
In order to get the rear-end I wanted and towing/cargo capacity, I ended up with a 4X4.
Not sure what the attraction is in a region where winter is typically from 9 PM to 7:30 AM on January 17th/18th each year.
???

bpounds
Nomad
Nomad
Never needed it to pull into a Walmart. Or to pull out either.
2006 F250 Diesel
2011 Keystone Cougar 278RKSWE Fiver

ReneeG
Explorer
Explorer
All I could afford wrote:
Four-wheel-drive just let you get stuck further into the woods then the 2 Wheel Dr. trucks do


True, if you're not careful. With 4x2, you're not going in at all.
2011 Bighorn 3055RL, 2011 F350 DRW 6.7L 4x4 Diesel Lariat and Hensley TrailerSaver BD3, 1992 Jeep ZJ and 1978 Coleman Concord Pop-Up for remote camping
Dave & Renee plus (Champ, Molly, Paris, Missy, and Maggie in spirit), Mica, Mabel, and Melton

Scott16
Explorer
Explorer
If you are going to camp off pavement in the grass, Driving a F-350 with the 4X4 and a 15,000 lbs, 5th Wheel in State or Federal Parks. If it rains you have a good chance getting out of the wet grass and on the road when you leave.
Not the a 2x4 Truck.
US Navy Retired IC1(SW)USS Fletcher DD-992

All_I_could_aff
Explorer
Explorer
Four-wheel-drive just let you get stuck further into the woods then the 2 Wheel Dr. trucks do
1999 R-Vision Trail Light B17 hybrid
2006 Explorer Eddie Bauer
2002 Xterra rollin’ on 33’s
1993 Chevy Z24 Convertible
Lives in garage 71,000 miles

BarneyS
Explorer III
Explorer III
irishtom29 wrote:
I would want 4wd only for traction on roads or in campgrounds and I wish a stock 4wd truck was available that sat low, as low as 2wd Chevys used to sit. Even 2wd trucks sit high now.

You need to take a look at the new Rams with complete air suspension. My truck automatically lowers when driving over 35mph and you can raise it 6 inches for off road travel if you wish. It also auto lowers when you shut it off to make entry and exit easier. Works like a charm and rides like my wifes' former Mercury Grand Marquis! 🙂 🙂
I don't know if it comes on 2500 or 3500 trucks however.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine

irishtom29
Explorer
Explorer
I would want 4wd only for traction on roads or in campgrounds and I wish a stock 4wd truck was available that sat low, as low as 2wd Chevys used to sit. Even 2wd trucks sit high now.

Lynnmor
Explorer
Explorer
I didn’t read all of this thread but I’ll just comment on my current situation. I am camped in an older campground in central PA where the grass and silt has overtaken the stoned parking areas of most sites. With previous rain and continuous downpour for the predicted future, I might have a fun day tomorrow when I tow out of here. The last two days required 4WD to just get the truck off the site that had only a little slope.

allen8106
Explorer
Explorer
I had a 4X2 GMC 2500 and was very unhappy. Had to take my daughter to school during a snow day and couldn't drive through the snow. Snow was no more than 8-12 inches deep. Had to dig the snow out from in front of and behind the tires and get a running start to get through. Vowed then and there my next truck would be a 4X4.

We live out in the county where the nearest paved road is 3 miles away. That three miles seems like 50 when you are stuck in the mud or snow.
2010 Eagle Super Lite 315RLDS
2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD 6.6L Duramax

2010 Nights 45
2011 Nights 70
2012 Nights 144
2013 Nights 46
2014 Nights 49
2015 Nights 57
2016 Nights 73
2017 Nights 40
2018 Nights 56
2019 Nights 76
2020 Nights 68

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Explorer III
laknox wrote:


That's because those same guys would be in the ditch with 2wd, only they can't get 'em, so now have 4wd. :B:B:B

Lyle
:B
Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

laknox
Nomad
Nomad
FWIW, my brother's '04 F350 dually 4x4 is about 4" shorter than my '02 D'max 4x4. (shrug)

Lyle
2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Crew Cab 4x4 Duramax
B&W OEM Companion & Gooseneck Kit
2017 KZ Durango 1500 D277RLT
1936 John Deere Model A
International Flying Farmers 64 Year Member

laknox
Nomad
Nomad
fj12ryder wrote:
ReneeG wrote:
Super_Dave wrote:
All the guys defending 4 X 4 use it. It appears that the OP never has and likely never will. I think he is safe ordering the smoother riding 4 X 2.


Then let the 4x4 pull him out when he gets stuck.
Now there's a bunch of bull. Never has happened in over 55 years of driving in the midwest winters, and likely never will. But over the years the number of 4WD vehicles in the ditches during the winter has increased.


That's because those same guys would be in the ditch with 2wd, only they can't get 'em, so now have 4wd. :B:B:B

Lyle
2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Crew Cab 4x4 Duramax
B&W OEM Companion & Gooseneck Kit
2017 KZ Durango 1500 D277RLT
1936 John Deere Model A
International Flying Farmers 64 Year Member

kohai
Explorer
Explorer
In Utah, I've needed 4x4 while towing once when trying to back up a slight incline that was rocky/gravel. When driving without the trailer, I've used it a lot. The back end bounces and wheels spin all the time on the dirt roads I get on just because there's no weight back there.
2014 Primetime Crusader 296BHS
2015 GMC 2500HD Denali

mr__ed
Explorer
Explorer
Michelle.S wrote:
You just can't beat 4 Low for backing into the perfect camping spot when you're off the beaten path, or some times in State or Local parks. Just put it in 4 Low and just let the engine idle while backing in.



X2. My tow vehicle was a Dodge 3500 diesel 4X4 with manual shift. Backing my fiver into a site was a lot easier on the clutch using 4X4 low. Maybe that would be easier on an auto tranny, too.
Mr. Ed (fulltiming since 1987)
Life is fragile. Handle with prayer.

2007 Hitchhiker II LS Model 29.5 LKTG (sold)
2007 Dodge Ram 3500/6.7 CTD/QC/4X4/SB/SRW/6-speed man/Big Horn edition (sold)