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!

[Farmerjon]

usmcshepherd wrote:
I'm still suprised that more value isn't accreited to the exhaust brake on the diesels!!! I just descended several thousand feet coming out of southern Colorado and found the exhaust brake invaluable. I hardly didn't use my brakes coming down and had to put my foot into it to maintain speed!!! In mountainous terrain I think the diesel pays for itself for that fact alone!

I feel the same way about the exhaust brake. That was a big part of why we opted for the 2015 over the 2014. We got our truck in sept. so we had a good selection of both years.

[usmcshepherd]

I'm still suprised that more value isn't accreited to the exhaust brake on the diesels!!! I just descended several thousand feet coming out of southern Colorado and found the exhaust brake invaluable. I hardly didn't use my brakes coming down and had to put my foot into it to maintain speed!!! In mountainous terrain I think the diesel pays for itself for that fact alone!

[BradW]

allygerry wrote:
Another vote for the 4x4 here, wet grass is almost as slick as ice on a dually.

Ditto. A 2wd dually with street tires will get stuck on wet grass in your own front yard. You live in Massachusetts? 4X4, no question.


I like diesels, but I agree that due to all the fed regulations that have been strapped on them; they cannot be justified economically.

Good luck,
Brad

[My_Blue_Heaven]

Still another vote for 4x4. You'll be glad you did. 8K is a lot for the diesel, but I do not regret getting mine, despite the fact that when I bought it in 2000, diesel was cheaper than gas! Remember those days?

[Hvyhauler]

Another vote for the 4x4,never owned a 2 wheel truck.

[skipbee]

I haven't ever been asked about weight, it's possible we could be a few lbs over once in a while, it hasn't been a problem.

Assateague is one of the most outstanding TC experiences imaginable. We have camped in the Bullpen for as much as three weeks, coming off only to dump and for water and supplies, mostly in the fall.

The Assateague Mobil Sportsfishermans Association, our wonderful fishing club, has been a prime mover in keeping the beach open for all of us. There have been many attempts to close off 4X4 travel there. By working with the officials and offering solutions to their problems, a system that is satisfactory to both us, the public, and the NPS folks, we are all able to fully enjoy this fabulous natural treasure. If you have any inkling of trying the beach bit, DO IT ! And consider joining AMSA. It is not expensive and well worth the effort. See Ya on the sand!

[ticki2]

skipbee wrote:
I googled "outer banks over sand driving". All of the rules are there. There was no mention of duallys being banned. Recently there has been a rumor that the NPS at Assateague Island was lifting the dually ban. It was never really explained why the rule existed.

I noticed the same thing , I wonder when it changed . One thing caught my eye about the rules for Assateague ,there is a 10,000# GVW limit . Since you are familiar with it , is that something they generally enforce ? That would seem to eliminate many TC's , both SRW and DRW .

VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: To obtain an OSV permit, vehicles must meet the following specifications: ...

[MERC225]

4x4 for sure.

Much better to have and not need, than to need and not have!

[skipbee]

I googled "outer banks over sand driving". All of the rules are there. There was no mention of duallys being banned. Recently there has been a rumor that the NPS at Assateague Island was lifting the dually ban. It was never really explained why the rule existed.

[towpro]

skipbee wrote:


Our primary first reason for a TC was to travel on the deep sand beaches of Assateague Island National Seashore on the Mid-
Atlantic Coast on the Maryland/Virginia shores. The NPS does not permit duallys on the beaches, so we had to adapt our truck to handle the weight, the SRW rig is a bit more nimble than duallys. We have had no problems with this set-up in all of our adventures.

I did not know this. Since NPS runs the Outer Banks beaches, I guess this is true down there as well?

I would love to go back to a dually for weight, and was thinking of 4wd just for the free camping (and fishing) on the Outerbanks Beaches.

[skipbee]

This has been our experience since 2004 with an 11' Lance 1121 on a SRW 4X4 F-350 diesel. We have traveled 100,000 miles from the Florida Keys to Alaska including two trans-continental tours and an excursion to New England and Maine. We added "H" rated(5000lbs) 19'5" wheels and tires along with air bags and Rancho Adjustable Shocks.

Our primary first reason for a TC was to travel on the deep sand beaches of Assateague Island National Seashore on the Mid-
Atlantic Coast on the Maryland/Virginia shores. The NPS does not permit duallys on the beaches, so we had to adapt our truck to handle the weight, the SRW rig is a bit more nimble than duallys. We have had no problems with this set-up in all of our adventures.

Without 4X4, of course, we could not have camped for weeks on the beaches. Our many off-road excursions also would have not been possible. The upgraded wheels and tires are required for highway travel,we have 16" Nitto Dune Grapplers for the sand, the 19.5" will not air down for over sand use, Our SRW rig has been entirely satisfactory, After seven years we replaced the 19.5" tires. Although they still had good tread, cracking on the sidewalls was evident from dry rot.

[bcbouy]

after getting stuck twice last year while launching my boat at undeveloped campgrounds,i added a 9500# winch on my ram.it cost me around $600 with the front receiver.its a lot less than the 4x4 package if you're not sold on 4x4,but its there when you need it.

[trailgranny50]

We had a crew cab long bed 2WD dually and it was totally useless in mud or snow. It was DH choice to forego 4x4 on that one. When we traded I went to dealer and brought him his new dually, same thing except Duramax and 4x4. He never argued and it's his all time favorite truck. Trying to figure how to take it with him when he dies. LOL We had to pull the old 2x out with a tractor on a residential job site in minimal mud more than once, not the new one. With all this being said, the 4x4 is great for forward motion in slippery conditions but NOTHING will stop on a dime in ice, 4x4 or not, chains, maybe a little better. The only thing we drive in bad snow is our Toyota FJ and are still super careful stopping.

[Bedlam]

If you stay in developed campgrounds and only camp seasonally or follow the seasons to camp, 2wd is just fine. If this doesn't fit your lifestyle and camping, get the 4wd.