Dually, 4X4 or 4X2?

[Captain_Skip]

Me again....

You've got me convinced that for the size of the camper that I want (AF992/EC990/Lance1050S) that for safety and handling I should go with a dually not a SRW truck.

Now, my next question - 4X4 (I guess on a dually it's 4X6?) or 4X2?

I don't see myself mounting a snowplow on the front of it for winter use. If I'm using the truck and camper in the winter it's going to be somewhere that's above freezing with no snow. When not hauling the camper it will be used for trips to the lumber yard, towing my boat/ATV, going to the dump, etc. With the size of a dually I won't be going off road with it - I've got a Toyota FJ for that. Is 4 wheel drive really necessary on a dually? Ford offers a limited slip differential option and I'm sure Chevy and Ram do too, so I thought that would be sufficient for slippery conditions.

My initial research has me leaning towards a 4X2 dually with a gas engine, not diesel. I don't think the extra $8k for the diesel is worth it and according to what I've found on the Ford website the cargo capacity of the 2 wheel drive truck is higher than the 4X4 version.
I know that resale for a 4X4/diesel will be higher, but I'm the type to keep a vehicle for 8 to 10 years so resale isn't something I'm concerned with.

You guys were a big help on the SRW vs DRW question for the campers I like, what do you think about the 4X4 vs 4X2 question?

Thanks!

[trail-explorer]

Artum Snowbird wrote:
4 by 4 without a doubt! ...

Don't even think of going 4 by 2!

x110000000000

THe argument that a 4x2 gets better mileage than a 4x4 is almost a moot point. The difference is so minimal with newer trucks, you'd be hard pressed to notice.

In the pacific northwest, dealers hardly stock 2 wheel drive trucks. It's been that way for at least the last 15 years.

[Boxer_Lovers]

4 x 4. You never know when you'll need it. Why not?

[Captain_Skip]

Thanks all for the input.....it sounds like 4X4 is the way to go. Having never driven a dual wheel pickup I wasn't aware of the issues about additional flotation on wet grass, etc. It all makes sense. Gotta love this forum, it's a wealth of information based on experience not salesperson BS.

[Dave_Pete]

I have to chime in. Really I'm surprised with all the votes for 4x4. And I thought I was swimming against the current with my desire for it, due mostly for my living area and style of where we like to go; I wouldn't be without it.

But it does reduce payload, and with heavy campers and dual rear wheels, and the obvious thought of highway travel for heavy loads versus conditions found for 4x4 and a small camper like mine. It just kind of goes to show once again, truck camper campers are a unique set of people. We have campers to get away from highways.

What an excellent collection of good reasons for TC with 4x4! Grass? Climbing leveling blocks? I love it.

[zb39]

allygerry wrote:
Another vote for the 4x4 here, wet grass is almost as slick as ice on a dually. Four tires in the rear just seem to float when trying to level the TC. Trying to back up under the TC when on wet grass to load is not fun. Gerry

This, wet grass is bad.

[HarryBB]

Get it.

If you need it - you got it, If you never need, don't use it.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

I have an F150 with the limited slip but this winter killed me without 4x4. You said you have a CJ so if it's not your daily driver it may not be a big deal but I'll never own a 4x2 again. I understand the advice that if its slippery, you don't belong out but that is not practical advice in New England, especially on a winter like this. If work doesn't shut down, you're driving on slick roads like it or not. I had to find alternate routes this winter because certain stop signs/lights on hills, I just couldn't get started even after adding weight to the bed of my truck.

[Sheriffdoug]

My Vote Also Is For 4x4, with Limited Slip Diff & 4.1 diff.

Got to throw this in as well, a bewdiful oily expensive tourqy DIESEL! MATE!!!!

[jefe_4x4]

Without sounding like I'm piling on, the fact is a 2WD, duallie is toxic on ice and snow. Even with a limited slip rr end, it's hopeless. The problem is lack of ground pressure. If, you will NEVER see anything slippery (snow, ice, mud, grass, wet parking lots) and use it in the summer Only, then 2WD will do, especially with a heavy camper over the drive wheels. Having owned and used to the extreme 14, 4WD's, I can say that a car with front wheel drive and a limited slip has a much better chance than a 2WD duallie. Case in point: our 1999 Chrysler 300M. It's sleek, low to the ground, 4" of clearance, but has most of the weight and engine right over the limited slip drive wheels. It always surprises me how well it does in 4-6 inches of snow. At 6" it's dragging the under carriage, but keeps moving. You can "feel" the L.Slip hunting back and forth on the wheels, grabbing traction where it can. Ground pressure. It's a good thing. A 2WD duallie doesn't have it.
regards, as always, jefe

[sky_free]

2WD trucks get stuck really easily without any load on ice or snow. It just doesn't work that well to have the lightly loaded drive wheels pushing the much heavier front-end around, so if you ever intend to drive it that way you better get 4WD. I've gotten stuck in a nearly flat parking lot with an unloaded 2WD truck with all-season's. One time getting stuck will convince you that you should have gotten 4WD.

[usmcshepherd]

I'd have to say I'd vote for 4x4 too as when you need it you don't want to wish you'd had it. Also, the re-sale as others have mentioned is usually significantly higher. I would also recommend th diesel...while the gas engines have improved the exhaust brake that the new diesel's come with is pretty awesome...especially when coming down a steep hill.

[Farmerjon]

I'm in the 4x4 camp. Since you are planing on pulling a boat when you don't have the camper on it I would definitely get the 4x4. DRW's can have a problem when it comes to starting on a wet, slick slope.
You know something like a boat ramp.
The low range and 4x4 can save the day.
We bought our 1st 4x4 in 86 and haven't been without one since.

[Jaxom]

4x4 gets my vote as well. I won't own another truck without 4wd.

If you do decide on 2wd, at least get the limited slip differential.

[samuraiowner]

my duelie is two wheel drive with an open differential. and I have A snow plow for it that I have used the past two winters. I also have tire chains.but the only way I can plow snow is with the camper on the truck other wise it is helpless in the winter but with the camper on it gets around pretty good.

[finaddict]

They make trucks in 2wd??? huh whoda thunk it.......:B