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!

Sounds like you have answered your own questions. The 4X2 is for the most part all you will ever need. The MPG will be a lot better then the 4x4. I prefer the diesel but they make some strong gas engines now. With the dually you will get stability while towing. Happy camping

Great decision going for the DRW truck, it will make the camper handle much better. As for 4WD or 2WD that is really up to you. If you plan on going into remote areas I would say go with the 4WD. If your camping is in developed areas then a 2WD is more than sufficient. As for slippery conditions, if you need 4WD then you have no business being on the road in the first place. Anyway, decide your primary form of camping and let that guide you into what drive train to go with. BTW I would also go with the gas engine, one gets to the destination just not as fast. But then speed kills and those speeding by cannot enjoy the scenery.

4 by 4 without a doubt! With that heavy camper you will want it to be level when you park. To do that you will need to get up on blocks. It is infinitely easier to climb up on a double or triple set of blocks when in low range and that only comes with 4 by 4. The first time it is raining and slippery out, and you want to get set up and level, you will appreciate it so much.I have also used mine to climb up to the upper view sites that only campers can get to in some campsites, and often I put it into low range to back up under the camper to load as well.Don't even think of going 4 by 2!

4x4 sure is great to have on a slick boat ramp. Here in Colorado a 10 year old pickup with 4 wheel drive is selling for at least double what a 2 wheel would if you could even sell it.

You could not get me to own a non 4x4 truck. Too many times in mud, wet grass, pulling a horse trailer. Not to mention getting snowed on in the Sierras while winter camping and out in the old FS Roads

Dually, 4X4 or 4X2? | Good Sam Community

Farmerjon
Explorer
Apr 03, 2015
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
Explorer II
Apr 03, 2015
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
Explorer II
Apr 03, 2015
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
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
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
Explorer
Apr 02, 2015
Another vote for the 4x4,never owned a 2 wheel truck.
skipbee
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015
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
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015
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: Maximum number of wheels per axle 4 Maximum number of axles 2 Maximum vehicle length 26 feet Maximum vehicle width 8 feet Minimum vehicle ground clearance 7 inches Gross vehicle weight rating may not exceed 10,000 pounds Minimum tire tread width in contact with ground for 2 wheel drive vehicles 8 inches
MERC225
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015
4x4 for sure.

Much better to have and not need, than to need and not have!
skipbee
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015
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
Explorer
Mar 31, 2015
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.

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