4x4 vs 2x4

[97winger]

My wife and I was out window shopping duallys when I come across a 2010 f350 crew cab w 8ft box with the 6.4 diesel. The kicker is it only has 9,000 miles on it. But it's two wheel drive. We are planning going full time in the spring with a 5th wheel probably 37 ft 14,000 lb rig. My original thought was a 4x4 but now thinking why not 2x4. We not expecting to be driving in snow ever again (hopefully). Any average of either.

[ford_truck_guy]

rhagfo wrote:

ford truck guy wrote:
IF my tow vehicle did not double as my plow truck , it might only be a 4X2 . .

Never needed 4X4 towing , but I guess its nice to have it if needed over needing it and not having it . .

Well every once in a while mother nature throws you a curve! We had spent a beautiful four days on the Oregon Coast the first week of January. We had a couple days of sunshine and a couple days of rain temps in the mid 40's. Then it came time to head home, temps dropped to very low 30's and then it came!

This is VERY true Russ ,anything can happen at anytime.. At this point we are weekend warriors and the trailer is put to bed in late October , and usually we wake her around mid-late April. We have had WAY TOO MANY cold winters here in the North East to chance leaving it un-winterized..

[Grit_dog]

Tom/Barb wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

ford truck guy wrote:
IF my tow vehicle did not double as my plow truck , it might only be a 4X2 . .

Never needed 4X4 towing , but I guess its nice to have it if needed over needing it and not having it . .

Well every once in a while mother nature throws you a curve! We had spent a beautiful four days on the Oregon Coast the first week of January. We had a couple days of sunshine and a couple days of rain temps in the mid 40's. Then it came time to head home, temps dropped to very low 30's and then it came!

remember a 4X4 may get going on slippery roads, but they can't stop any quicker, every one has 4 wheel brakes.

Maybe in the case of newer abs systems but I'll take both axles locked together when I step on the brakes on snow n ice over a 2 wheeler all day long.

[Grit_dog]

jerseyjim wrote:
The first couple responders blasted the 6.4 diesel. Why?

Cause your odds of getting one that doesn't blow up is better than a 6.0 but way less than any variant of the 6.7 Pstroke or any Cummins or Dmax out there.
Plenty of good ones but more bad ones than there should be.

[Tom_Barb]

rhagfo wrote:

ford truck guy wrote:
IF my tow vehicle did not double as my plow truck , it might only be a 4X2 . .

Never needed 4X4 towing , but I guess its nice to have it if needed over needing it and not having it . .

Well every once in a while mother nature throws you a curve! We had spent a beautiful four days on the Oregon Coast the first week of January. We had a couple days of sunshine and a couple days of rain temps in the mid 40's. Then it came time to head home, temps dropped to very low 30's and then it came!

remember a 4X4 may get going on slippery roads, but they can't stop any quicker, every one has 4 wheel brakes.

[Farmerjon]

Grit dog wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

Atlee wrote:
For me, I'd rather have 4x4 and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

I have used my 4x4 a couple of times.

I have also loved it when I needed it. Coming home from the Oregon Coast 1st week of January 2011.

The other plus is if you don't lock the front hubs, you can put the transfer case in low range for backing into a space. I find this very nice as one host site we use, is backing uphill to the blind side.

Well now I have covered the 4X4, thoughts, I would not own a Ford/IH 6.x diesel. They just all had too many issues.

Except there's not a single 4wd HD pickup with true manual hubs anymore, unless you get a free spin kit. Even the super duty hubs are kind of for show. There's auto lockers behind the manual hubs. The manual hubs are just bling until the auto locking hubs malfunction. Although idk if there's a way to disable th auto and run with just manual hubs. That would be great for a factory 2lo setup!

My 2000 f350 and the 2015 both have the auto hubs and on both of them if you put it in 4 low and then manualy unlock the hubs you have 2 low. Very handy. we use it often.

[Farmerjon]

dave17352 wrote:
I will never forget the guy talking to me at a big box store about how sorry he was he had bought a 6.7 Ford.

???? where did that come from and why?

[dave17352]

My brother always drives a 2x4 in Southern California. He also pulls a large boat now and then. The only time he wishes he would have it is on the boat dock. They can get pretty slick. I live in Nebraska. A dual wheel pickup truck can get stuck on a flat spot if the road is covered with ice! But with a heavy load on they are not that bad. I have had all 4 wheel drive trucks sense 1988. I think I spent 100 dollars once on 4x4 maintenance. Just depends where your going to be using that rig. I will never forget the guy talking to me at a big box store about how sorry he was he had bought a 6.4 Ford.

[rhagfo]

ford truck guy wrote:
IF my tow vehicle did not double as my plow truck , it might only be a 4X2 . .

Never needed 4X4 towing , but I guess its nice to have it if needed over needing it and not having it . .

Well every once in a while mother nature throws you a curve! We had spent a beautiful four days on the Oregon Coast the first week of January. We had a couple days of sunshine and a couple days of rain temps in the mid 40's. Then it came time to head home, temps dropped to very low 30's and then it came!

[beemerphile1]

Thank goodness that front tractor was 4x4 or they would have never gotten out of that field! :B



That was a festival we attended several years ago. They kept adding tractors until that 4x4 got in the front and they finally got it out. Not our rig but we had to get pulled out also, we only required one tractor.

[braindead0]

As others have stated, the need for 4wd is entirely one of intended usage. We off road in both our TV and Wrangler all year long. About 50% of the time we're camping we're boondocking or in very rustic campgrounds where getting stuck is a real possibility.

If you get 2wd and think you may have the rare occasion camping in places where you might get stuck. If you're going to rely on others to yank you out of trouble make sure to have a good tow strap (NO HOOKS ON THE ENDS) and recovery points attached to the frame at least one one each end, 2 is better.

In the end it's up to you.

[WTP-GC]

jerseyjim wrote:
The first couple responders blasted the 6.4 diesel. Why?

Because the only PSD engine that Ford used that was ever any good was the original - 7.3L. I like not having to remove my cab in order to work on the engine 😉

Count me as someone who will (hopefully) never own another 2WD truck again. We've used 4x4 when towing our previous TT.

People often use the reasoning of "extra maintenance" when suggesting the CONS of a 4WD truck. They say this while driving the most complicated and maintenance-requiring trucks that have ever been built.

[Jack_Diane_Free]

Over the past 20 years of towing and 6 trailers (TT and 5er)I have never had nor ever needed 4 wheel drive.

[ford_truck_guy]

IF my tow vehicle did not double as my plow truck , it might only be a 4X2 . .

Never needed 4X4 towing , but I guess its nice to have it if needed over needing it and not having it . .

[boshog]

Another argument for 4x4 is the ability to put the driveline in 4x4 low. This makes CG manuviging so much easier since engine idle will easily move the TV and trailer without touching the accelerator.

[kw_00]

jerseyjim wrote:
The first couple responders blasted the 6.4 diesel. Why?

Personal experience for me, never blasted it.... Just stating that I would not own one. Your looking at a low production engine used for a short time. Yes I do believe some were very good units like some of the 6.0 engines were really good. But on both of those engines you roll the dice as they say. I just think there is better offerings out there for the money. Now if you own one and you like it, good for you. My buddy has a 6.4 and it has been replaced already. Another friend owns a bullet proofed 6.0 and it has been really good to him. At work we have both, and I will tell u that both engines have cost us a...lot........of money over the years. Now the 6.7 seems to be doing well, hence my recommendation for that engine if your sticking with a Ford. Regardless it's your money buy what you want, each brand has its own issues. For me, I look at the 6.0 and see a bargain. Meaning you could get a really nice F250 with a bad 6.0 and pay very little for it at auction. Then replace the engine with a bullet proof 6.0 and may have 20g in it and have a nice truck for a cheap price. But that's one of my thoughts.

Sorry to get off topic OP.... Just needed to clarify my intentions are not to stear this topic into another and I hope it does not. Whatever truck you decide on is your money, I think that 9k miles is hard to pass up. If it fits your needs and the deal is right... It may be the truck for you. Just research on your own the engine involved. I'm sure you also will have some guys send you some info on it to help the decision process easier. Good luck and enjoy full time! It's a dream of mine that I hope to be there someday.