Tow vehicle advice: 4x4 or 4x2?

[bsteff]

I will be buying a new tow vehicle in next 6 months. Recently I have received a lot of advice to get the new vehicle with 4x4. My old truck was a 4x2 and did fine. Why am I getting this advice? I only recall one time, when I was a boy traveling with my parents that a 4x4 would have been useful. I am now 65. Obviously, I would rather not get 4x4 (something else to go wrong), but I don't want to end up wishing I had. We will be traveling in the western USA for the foreseeable future and pulling 5-6.5k TT. I live in Alabama.

[Supercharged]

PA12DRVR wrote:
"What is your DPS 4X4 off-roading experiences like? "

Didn't say that I had offroading experience with DPS, but having worked in the legal field, I suspect I've had more interaction with DPS than most if not all on this forum. Having a cabin located in Poacher Heaven in the Meth-Su, I suspect I've had more experience with the Fish & Wildlife troopers than most on here. Having helped salvage about 10 roadkill moose with either DPS, APD, or WPD standing by, I suspect that's a different level of involvement than most.

Most importantly, I've lived in Alaska for the better part of my adult life and can state without reservation that 4WD is a good thing to have for all the reasons mentioned and I have more basis to make that statement than someone who watches a TV show.

...but the OP's question was answered long ago...Supercharged and others who don't like 4WD win.

I'm out.

I like some TV, had maybe 3 4x4's, they are just for people who can't make it on there own. We will send help, just get out your cell phone.

[mowermech]

"...others who don't like 4WD..."
Now, where did you get the idea that we don't LIKE four wheel drive?
I, for one, have TWO four wheel drives; a 1977 Dodge Power Wagon W100 with 3/4 ton axles under it, and a 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited.
In the past, I have owned several AMC Eagle vehicles, and a few Subaru Outbacks.
I bought my first 4X4 in about 1972, a 1960 Chevy K10. 4X4/AWD can be a wonderful thing during a Montana winter. It can also get one in BIG trouble!
HOWEVER, when it came time to get a truck to tow a 32 foot triple slide fifth wheel, I shopped for and found a 4X2 Dodge Ram CTD 3500 dually. There was no doubt in my mind I was NOT going to try taking that trailer anyplace where I would need four wheel drive. There is also no doubt that I will NEVER need four wheel drive under my 32 foot motorhome!
It is worthy of note that I used that same truck for hauling hay; 35 bales on the truck, and about 100 on a "bumper pull" flatbed trailer behind it, at 65 to 75 pounds per bale. In and out of muddy farmyards, across pastures, etc. Never got stuck. I credit the tires with that!
The whole point of the thread is, "Does one NEED a 4X4 truck for towing a TT or fifth wheel?"
The only possible answer is, "I certainly did NOT. I really have no idea if YOU do. Good luck."

[PA12DRVR]

"What is your DPS 4X4 off-roading experiences like? "

Didn't say that I had offroading experience with DPS, but having worked in the legal field, I suspect I've had more interaction with DPS than most if not all on this forum. Having a cabin located in Poacher Heaven in the Meth-Su, I suspect I've had more experience with the Fish & Wildlife troopers than most on here. Having helped salvage about 10 roadkill moose with either DPS, APD, or WPD standing by, I suspect that's a different level of involvement than most.

Most importantly, I've lived in Alaska for the better part of my adult life and can state without reservation that 4WD is a good thing to have for all the reasons mentioned and I have more basis to make that statement than someone who watches a TV show.

...but the OP's question was answered long ago...Supercharged and others who don't like 4WD win.

I'm out.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

PA12DRVR wrote:
Supercharged said: "I like to watch the Trooper in Alaska drive on the ice and snow with the 2 wd cars.
They must know folks don't need them. Just the ones they run down driving 4x4's."

With due respect, having arguably more experience driving in Alaska (and for that matter with DPS, including Troopers) than anyone else on this forum, I'd offer a couple of thoughts:

- Watch the trooper shows all you want, it's a limited slice of what they do: and many of the episodes show only city driving....and while 4WD helps on those polished ice intersections, in the city is not the extent of where 4WD is needed. Strangely enough, roughly 40% (and that number is increasing) of the troopers are now driving 4WD vehicles such as Ford/Chevy PU's and Ford Expeditions.

- Many of the Alaska State Troopers episodes are in the Mat-Su area (Palmer/Wasilla, known as "Meth-Su") and in Fairbanks area. By and large, neither the episodes in the Meth-Su, nor the episodes in the Fairbanks area represent the worst driving conditions: Meth-Su gets most of their snow blown away by wind and often has bare pavement much of the winter and Fairbanks is one of the dryer spots (with limited snowfall) in Alaska and typically has either bare pavement or compacted snow, none of which "needs" 4WD.

Of course, 4WD is not a necessity, but it is an "access leverager" which allows easier and more secure access to a greater range of roads and conditions.

What is your DPS 4X4 off-roading experiences like? :S

[Skid_Row_Joe]

Supercharged wrote:
At the end 4x4 is only training wheels for big boys dream of being a tow truck.

If the guy admits that his wife drives the tow truck, I think it would hurt his feelings even more.

[wnjj]

rhagfo wrote:

PA12DRVR wrote:

All of the above is somewhat valid, but having driven in Alaska for more than 30 years, what I'd offer is the following:

- 4WD doesn't do a thing for stopping....but if one is on a slight hill awaiting the light to turn green with polished black ice, I'd rather have 4WD than 2WD to get going. Once moving, it's all good, but 4WD sure helps at the start;
- A heavy 2WD vehicle with chains can go some amazing places: a 4WD vehicle with chains can go to more places. My cabin truck is an 83 GMC P/U with 4WD that I chain up anytime I drive into the cabin, spring, summer or fall.

- Folks who decide to drive faster than conditions allow can be seen driving 2WD, 4WD, and everything in between....it's not limited to drivers with 4WD rigs.

The statement in red above is what 80% of the people with 4X4 don't understand, that it gives you extra control, not the ability to go faster and stop quicker. Of course that isn't what the sales man told them. I just plug along with the rest of the crowd, knowing that I can steer better, and get going on an uphill grade, even with the 5er in tow.
Chains, you bet set for the truck and 5er.

Oh the other 20% are kids loosing it screwing around!!!!

I disagree a little with the "doesn't do a thing" comment. 4x4 means all 4 wheels are connected together by the powertrain. If you let off the gas suddenly, downshift or start to the apply the brakes this prevents any one wheel from locking up (especially important prior to ABS). There is also more rolling inertia in the whole system which resists sudden changes better. Icy surfaces are not too responsive to sudden changes in direction or speed.

[zogg]

I am also 65....haha

I jjst bought a 2013 ram 2wd....i have had a couple of 4wd trucks, and never used the 4x4 function, xcept on the test drive to make sure it worked ok....

I prefer the 2wd because of the lower ride height, a smoother ride which makes a real difference on a 3/4 ton truck, less stuff to maintain, more towing capacity, better mpg, etc. It is a lot cheaper, too.....

I never have been stjck with 1000+ pounds of tongue weight. But, i dont do any off roading, either.

A lot of folks have told me that I was nuts to by 2wd, but it does everything I need it to do.....goes and stops, tows 8,000 pounds very well and it rides like a half ton....sort of!

In the winter, I throw 300 pounds of sand bags in the bed and I go in the snow....works for me.

[bmanning]

PA12DRVR wrote:
Supercharged said: "I like to watch the Trooper in Alaska drive on the ice and snow with the 2 wd cars.
They must know folks don't need them. Just the ones they run down driving 4x4's."

With due respect, having arguably more experience driving in Alaska (and for that matter with DPS, including Troopers) than anyone else on this forum, I'd offer a couple of thoughts:

- Watch the trooper shows all you want, it's a limited slice of what they do: and many of the episodes show only city driving....and while 4WD helps on those polished ice intersections, in the city is not the extent of where 4WD is needed. Strangely enough, roughly 40% (and that number is increasing) of the troopers are now driving 4WD vehicles such as Ford/Chevy PU's and Ford Expeditions.

- Many of the Alaska State Troopers episodes are in the Mat-Su area (Palmer/Wasilla, known as "Meth-Su") and in Fairbanks area. By and large, neither the episodes in the Meth-Su, nor the episodes in the Fairbanks area represent the worst driving conditions: Meth-Su gets most of their snow blown away by wind and often has bare pavement much of the winter and Fairbanks is one of the dryer spots (with limited snowfall) in Alaska and typically has either bare pavement or compacted snow, none of which "needs" 4WD.

Of course, 4WD is not a necessity, but it is an "access leverager" which allows easier and more secure access to a greater range of roads and conditions.

Neither here nor there, but I took a trip to Breckenridge CO many years ago and was surprised/impressed that (at least then) they were using Land Rover Discoveries as police vehicles.

Made me think 2 things: 1) that's pretty cool, and 2) clearly the City of Breckenridge must have deep pockets for municipal vehicles.

[PA12DRVR]

Supercharged said: "I like to watch the Trooper in Alaska drive on the ice and snow with the 2 wd cars.
They must know folks don't need them. Just the ones they run down driving 4x4's."

With due respect, having arguably more experience driving in Alaska (and for that matter with DPS, including Troopers) than anyone else on this forum, I'd offer a couple of thoughts:

- Watch the trooper shows all you want, it's a limited slice of what they do: and many of the episodes show only city driving....and while 4WD helps on those polished ice intersections, in the city is not the extent of where 4WD is needed. Strangely enough, roughly 40% (and that number is increasing) of the troopers are now driving 4WD vehicles such as Ford/Chevy PU's and Ford Expeditions.

- Many of the Alaska State Troopers episodes are in the Mat-Su area (Palmer/Wasilla, known as "Meth-Su") and in Fairbanks area. By and large, neither the episodes in the Meth-Su, nor the episodes in the Fairbanks area represent the worst driving conditions: Meth-Su gets most of their snow blown away by wind and often has bare pavement much of the winter and Fairbanks is one of the dryer spots (with limited snowfall) in Alaska and typically has either bare pavement or compacted snow, none of which "needs" 4WD.

Of course, 4WD is not a necessity, but it is an "access leverager" which allows easier and more secure access to a greater range of roads and conditions.

[rhagfo]

PA12DRVR wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:

TomG2 wrote:

PA12DRVR wrote:
.

- Ever seen a 2WD try to get going on polished ice at a city intersection? Kindof funny

About as funny as watching a smart aleck flash by in a 4WD and slide into a ditch full of snow and have to wait for a tow truck.

(Actually, it is not that much fun to see people in trouble.)

Actually I find it interesting that since I have a 2wd truck that I drive MORE CONSERVATIVE in bad weather than folks with front wheel drive, 4x4 and all wheel drives.

I often have 4x4s passing me at HIGH SPEEDS on snowy and ICY roads only to find them a few miles later in the ditch, or perched high up on a hillside way off the road...

Folks, wake up, just because you have 4x4, front wheel drive or all wheel drive it DOES NOT help you when it comes to BLACK ICE.

My Dad showed me many years ago that with some care 4x2 can go most places 4x4s can and heck with a set of chains we even showed up some 4x4s trying to climb a steep hillside to get firewood. While they were trying to back down the hill after getting stuck sideways we simply chained up and drive right past them.. :B

The looks of terror on their faces was priceless (it was steep)!

All of the above is somewhat valid, but having driven in Alaska for more than 30 years, what I'd offer is the following:

- 4WD doesn't do a thing for stopping....but if one is on a slight hill awaiting the light to turn green with polished black ice, I'd rather have 4WD than 2WD to get going. Once moving, it's all good, but 4WD sure helps at the start;
- A heavy 2WD vehicle with chains can go some amazing places: a 4WD vehicle with chains can go to more places. My cabin truck is an 83 GMC P/U with 4WD that I chain up anytime I drive into the cabin, spring, summer or fall.

- Folks who decide to drive faster than conditions allow can be seen driving 2WD, 4WD, and everything in between....it's not limited to drivers with 4WD rigs.

The statement in red above is what 80% of the people with 4X4 don't understand, that it gives you extra control, not the ability to go faster and stop quicker. Of course that isn't what the sales man told them. I just plug along with the rest of the crowd, knowing that I can steer better, and get going on an uphill grade, even with the 5er in tow.
Chains, you bet set for the truck and 5er.

Oh the other 20% are kids loosing it screwing around!!!!

[davisenvy]

TomG2 wrote:
Ending up in the ditch because 4x4's will go but not stop or steer on ice and snow better than a 4x2 is hilarious. Popular sport with the first couple of snows is watching the newbies with their 4x4's fly by and slide right into the ditch.

Even funnier is watching the flatlanders in their 2wd sitting at the bottom of a mountain because they can't make it up.

[Bumpyroad]

Supercharged wrote:
At the end 4x4 is only training wheels for big boys dream of being a tow truck.

just a guess on my part, but I think some body might be upset with this analogy.
bumpy

[Supercharged]

At the end 4x4 is only training wheels for big boys dream of being a tow truck.

[rhagfo]

Supercharged wrote:

PA12DRVR wrote:
I needed 4x4 once to pull out of a very wet grassy area in Florida. Other than that, I never needed 4x4 when towing, but I just like to go off the beaten path too much to by 4x2. Currently don't tow, but since living in Alaska is my once and future plan, I'll only by 4x4's.

- Ever seen a 2WD try to get going on polished ice at a city intersection? Kindof funny

- Driveways in snow: no prob with 4x4

the point was raised earlier as to what did we do before 4x4: Well, not being able to afford 4x4 for the 1st 30 year of my life, what I did in Alaska was drive carefully, use studded tires, establish a world record for being able to put chains on, invest in Warn products, and similar. Of course, one can get by on 4x2, but 4x4 offers an advantage.

Only the OP can decide if that advantage is worth the price. I think it's not even a decision worth considering (4x4, no brainer), but that's just MNSHO.

I like to watch the Trooper in Alaska drive on the ice and snow with the 2 wd cars.
They must know folks don't need them. Just the ones they run down driving 4x4's.

I use to drive all over in winter on snow covered roads with two wheel drive.
Now days I prefer the safety and stability of four wheel drive, can I drive in the snow without, yes you bet. Do I prefer to have it Damn right.
I also don't offer to and will not pull someone out a ditch unless it is an issue of life or limb. I see it as their are there for a reason!