Okay,this is for hauling a truck camper only and what a new guy should get when going to buy a truck camper..Here is a pretty honest opinion of the pro's and con's of both and yes,he has a truck camper..Northern lite 10-22WD vs 4WD with TC onlyDo you "Really Need" a 4X4 with a truck camper?..

CAUTION TROLLFEST AHEAD! DO NOT PROCEED BEYOND THIS POINT UNLESS YOUR ARE JUST LOOKING TO WASTE THE REST OF YOUR WEEKEND.

I've never considered a 2 wheel drive since we like to camp dirt roads and on the beach. In all the years we have travelled with a truck camper I have only needed to put the truck in 4x4 as the rear tires alone lost traction and slipped a hand full of times. It was sure nice to simply pull a shifter and drive right out.How many times that we proactively engaged 4x4 for sand, mud, steep terrain etc that we may have been ok in 2wd? Not sure. If I was buying a truck to only travel on paved roads only I would go with a 2WD. If I were buying a truck to haul a 5th wheel I would go with 2wd as the bed rail height is lower and I wouldn't take a 5th wheel out on 4x4 type roads.

I don’t listen to entire youtube videos or RV.NET to get opinions from random people. I’d go to youtube for that. ;). Care to bullet point why that random person thinks what he does?I don’t know about most people, but I shopped for a truck camper because I needed a truck not the other way around. For me, I needed a 4x4 for a truck camper because I needed 4x4 for my truck for the rest of the time. In most states in the Northwest, 4x4 removes the requirement of needing to chain up for almost all of the time while crossing mountain passes..I think most people are the same in that they buy the truck they need irrespective of truck camper. Either 4x2 or 4x4 can haul the weight. Buy the truck you need for other purposes.

BradW wrote:I would think you would want 4X4 if you are elk hunting in Idaho, but no, you don't have to have it to haul a tc.That's kinda a missed conception about truck campers and hunting..Once you go so big with a truck camper,you are very limited on where you can go with it..If you have a pop-up TC,then you can go about anywhere with it and 4X4 would be necessary probably,to take full advantage of the unit..When your 8ft wide and 10-13ft high and have a hangover on the rear,your very limited on where you can take it without banging something up.So your kinda limited where you can take a full sized truck camper..The smaller you go in TC size let's you go just a little farther back in,atleast here in Idaho...As far as getting stuck in an unexpected snow storm which happens often,I always carry chains and it is not an issue...There are alot of pro's to a 2WD over a 4WD like maintenance/fuel mileage/more payload/ride etc but it doesn't have the "Kool Factor" the 4X4 has and the 4X4 has better traction in some conditions..I have owned both with full sized truck campers and when the old standard transmissions had "Granny Gear" 4X4 was rarely and sometimes never used unless I went looking for it..Resale value is better with a 4X4 but that makes some use 2WD's a steal in price..

" Honest Opinion " simply means the person believes what they are saying . It doesn't speak to the correctness or completeness of the information .

2WD or 4X4 for a truck camper | Good Sam Community

RobertRyan
Explorer
Dec 26, 2019
jaycocreek wrote:
Okay,this is for hauling a truck camper only and what a new guy should get when going to buy a truck camper..

Here is a pretty honest opinion of the pro's and con's of both and yes,he has a truck camper..Northern lite 10-2

2WD vs 4WD with TC only

Do you "Really Need" a 4X4 with a truck camper?..

No such animal in Australia anymore all 4x4's. TC's placed on car/ truck Utes were 2WD
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Dec 22, 2019
My brother has 1/4 mile of steep gravel road and than another 1/4 mile of dirt driveway going to his house.
So he is driving AWD vehicles year around, while after heavy snowfall, he leaves the car at main road and walks 1/2 mile to his house.
That said, I am driving to his house with my RWD set just fine. Just not in the winter.
Point is that with daily commuter, you don't have much choices and this way, or the other sooner or later you will lose to weather.
With TC you do have a choice.
jimh406
Explorer III
Dec 22, 2019
Kayteg1 wrote:
trying to visualize Jim's driveway, I have to say he really needs 4x4 for snow season.

Think opposite and 1/4 mile and gravel. :). We had unusual snow last year, but that driveway is close to wife's uncle's although it's asphalt and the flat is longer on top.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Dec 22, 2019
trying to visualize Jim's driveway, I have to say he really needs 4x4 for snow season.
jimh406
Explorer III
Dec 22, 2019
jaycocreek wrote:
When I was looking for a camper hauler,I was after a 4WD but they were priced out of my range for a good one,

...

One of the problems with buying a used 4WD is the price they think it's worth and just how's hard was it used in 4X4, especially around here... You would think they were made out of gold for the price there asking for a high mileage unit, especially for a diesel..

Slipped up. There’s the answer. You wanted one but didn’t want to pay for it.

Last year, I put my truck in 4x4 to go up my driveway with TC on. So, I’d say, there’s one place. :D

But also, my wife’s aunt/uncles and the hilly part of Olympia with deep wet snow.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Dec 22, 2019
I like the Ferrari for 60 mph driving comparison.
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Dec 22, 2019
Hey Jimh425..Where are you going to take your big heavy TC that I can't take mine?

The answer is...Nowhere...
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Dec 22, 2019
And I couldn't agree more about low range... Used to be granny gear solved that problem but they don't do grannie's anymore..lol

When I was looking for a camper hauler,I was after a 4WD but they were priced out of my range for a good one, not hot rodded or after marketed to death...I found my current DRW that was in excellent shape at a good price from an old guy that used to haul a 10 footer and low mileage... Drove it around and bought it knowing I was never going to take it where a full sized truck camper should never go without breaking axles and such, so it was a done deal.

One of the problems with buying a used 4WD is the price they think it's worth and just how's hard was it used in 4X4, especially around here... You would think they were made out of gold for the price there asking for a high mileage unit, especially for a diesel..
jimh406
Explorer III
Dec 22, 2019
For some reason, jaycocreek and kayteg1 think some posts (and theirs) have more weight than others.

The reality is we all know why 4x4s exist, and we all know they have more traction even if jaycocreek and kayteg1 are driving. If they can go in pretty bad stuff, they can go in even worse conditions with 4x4.

Also, there are very few people who only use their truck when a truck camper is on it. Even many here regularly take their TCs off, so they can drive other roads. So, saying offroaders don’t need one is bogus. It’s the wrong question, so the answer was irrelevent.

If you don’t want a 4x4, that’s fine. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have superior traction. It just means you don’t want one.

But hey, let’s go for a few more pages. :D
specta
Explorer
Dec 22, 2019
jaycocreek wrote:

Do you "Really Need" a 4X4 with a truck camper?..

There's really only one answer and its no, you don't need 4wd with a truck camper.

I didn't read Ralph's report and I'm not going to.

I wont own a 2wd truck, I see no reason to.

The single biggest advantage that 4wd has over 2wd with a truck camper is having low range. Especially when the truck is equipped with an auto trans.

No I'm not hauling my camper.

I will NEVER own a 2wd pickup. :B

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