2wd or 4x4?

[West6550]

Wife and I are in the process of buying a 26-30' fifth wheel and truck to pull it for fulltime use.

We plan on doing a lot of boondocking and hitting BLM spots and are wondering if 2WD is enough or is 4x4 the way to go.

We have found a great deal on a 2wd Dodge dually, I personally want a 4x4 but the cost difference to buy a new one compared to the like new 2wd we found is significant.

So how often is 4wd actually needed? Are the majority of places accessible by 2wd?

[Farmerjon]

West6550 wrote:
Some excellent responses, I appreciate it.

We want to boondock and get of the beaten path.. so I think 4x4 is the answer. Might just buy the dually and trade it in towards a 4x4.

I think you came up with a good plan. A bargain like that is hard to pass op.

[n7bsn]

I've owned both 2wd and 4wd trucks, I've towed with both. All 4wd means is you can get yourself out of the easy stucks.
If I found the right "next" truck and it was 2wd, I'd buy it.

All that being said, you "boondocking", I'd go with a 4WD.

[Lwiddis]

Wish my Tahoe was 4x4. Next one will be.

[Second_Chance]

Deleted - reread and decided I didn't have anything to add to the conversation.

[LIKE2BUILD]

West6550 wrote:
The 2012 2wd dually has 12000 miles.. my family farm owns the truck and no longer needs it. No truck 2wd or 4x4 will be found for the price.

I pull a 23 boat trailer.. a lot.. and have a locking rear dif.. there are a very small amount of ramps I can't launch from since my truck is 2wd.. actually 2 total.

I assumed most people would say 4x4 and that is what I want as well. The deal on the Dodge is just to good and want to know if it is okay.

My previous TV was an '04 Chevy 2500HD that I got in '05. It was 2WD but I bought it with only 970 miles on the odometer, it was $8,000 under book value and fell within my budget. It was a rock solid reliable truck for 10 years.

About 1 year into ownership I found the massive flaw in a 2WD truck with open differential :E Wet boat ramps, wet grass, snowy/icy roads......All were kryptonite for traction. I later found a great deal on an Eaton Limited Slip differential and installed that with good results. I also switched to Firestone Transforce AT's that greatly improved grip.

Despite those changes I still ran into situations where having the front wheels turning would have made all the difference. Some were still wet grass, winters could get sketchy, but boat ramps were mostly defeated. The last instance was a soggy camping spot and the rear wheels sank. Of course the whole time the front wheels sat on a packed gravel lane, but they couldn't help at all!! :S

Yes, you can handle your trailer in most situations with a 2WD truck. It sounds like you have a phenomenal deal lined up and that's hard to resist. The big gotcha is that you said you're planning to boondock. That means a lot of unimproved areas where roads and traction could be very questionable. Are you willing to be a good distance from an improved road when a rain storm hits, turning your path out to mush, and you try to tow out your 5er?

With your intended use I'd say 2WD is a roll of the dice. Most likely it will be when, not if, you get stuck and need towed.

KJ

[West6550]

Some excellent responses, I appreciate it.

We want to boondock and get of the beaten path.. so I think 4x4 is the answer. Might just buy the dually and trade it in towards a 4x4.

[Hammerboy]

I would never consider 2wd. I saved myself from having to be pulled out before at campgrounds. Not to mention the resale value is a lot lower, not many people want them. I'm on my 7th 4wd truck:)

Dan

[azrving]

4x4

[agesilaus]

Depends on where you want to go, along with the reasons given above. If you want to get off on backroads to spectacular sights and leave the mobs of people in the parks behind, then you want 4WD. As for towing a 5ver out on some of these roads, I'd want to drive that road first in the truck to get a look at the road condition first.

For example I'd really like to camp at a spot called Dance Hall Rock



which is a spectacular sandstone rock a couple of hundred feet tall. That hollow was the place pioneer's camped when the men cut a path thru to the river. They held dances there and it's 45 miles down a isolated dirt road. If you climb to the top of the rock you'll see things like this:



And there will be very few others around when you are there. We were all alone and saw one other truck when we got to the end of the road 30 miles further along (Hole in the Rock)

If that's the sort of thing you want to see then get a 4WD

[West6550]

GordonThree wrote:

I guess in Florida dealers probably order more 2 than 4 trucks?

It is a mix, F250s and 2500s are mostly 4x4s. I have a family member selling a 2wd 3500. Which is why I asked.

F150s and 1500s come in both.. not much snow or hills around here lol

Sugar sand in the groves but that's about it.

[West6550]

time2roll wrote:
If you need to ask.... 2WD is fine.

???? Thanks... :R

[West6550]

Farmerjon wrote:
"the cost difference to buy a new one compared to the like new 2wd we found is significant."
Not a fair comparison. Why not search for a like new 4x4?
I think the 4x4 would be the way to go.

I have been. The 2012 2wd dually has 12000 miles.. my family farm owns the truck and no longer needs it. No truck 2wd or 4x4 will be found for the price. Maybe a used F150 lol but that is useless for what I need.. plus I have one already.


I pull a 23 boat trailer.. a lot.. and have a locking rear dif.. there are a very small amount of ramps I can't launch from since my truck is 2wd.. actually 2 total.

I assumed most people would say 4x4 and that is what I want as well. The deal on the Dodge is just to good and want to kow if it is okay.

[GordonThree]

Around these parts the only way you get the 2wd truck is to order one. Dealers only stock 4wd... Every truck in my backwater has a plow attached to it, even the half tons. Mine stands out at the stores, it's the only 3/4 work truck without a plow. Folks have actually asked where my plow was and when am I getting the plow put on.

I guess in Florida dealers probably order more 2 than 4 trucks?

[Winnebago_Bob]

I'd never own a 2WD truck. Too many unexpected uses for 4WD over the last 20+ years of towing RVs.

[56Jeff]

2WD will get you in to trouble, then use the 4WD to get out.