Motorhome_Georgia
Southeast
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Joined: 11/19/2010
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I'm in the market right now for a vehicle to tow. I've never owned a 4WD vehicle before. I don't want to go through the woods and cross through streams, etc. All I want is a vehicle to tow flat on the ground. Most of my travel will be in areas in which the weather will not be icy or freezing or snow, but could in the event of some unforeseen weather.
I just wonder if those of you who have the 4WD or AWD vehicles actually use that feature enough to justify the added cost. How often do you use 4WD and under what circumstances would one wish they had it besides snow and ice?
The car I own now is FWD and when there is ice or snow here in the south I simply don't drive. I can't recall anytime I've ever wished I had 4WD. But, on the other hand, I've recently acquired a diesel pusher motorhome and want to travel the country. I'm not going to intentionally go places in which there is snow and ice.
2001 Beaver (Monaco) Marquis C-12
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gbopp
The Keystone State
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Joined: 08/03/2008
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Get a 2 wheel drive vehicle. You'll be fine, especially if you're going to stay away from the snow/ice areas.
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Artum Snowbird
Campbell River, B.C., Canada
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Joined: 05/28/2004
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It's a bit of a gamble, but if you get your rig stuck because of weather conditions either happening or having happened, having a vehicle that can travel in even worse conditions might be a life saver.
Mike and Carole
2007 Snowbird 9'6" Super Slide
2005 16.6 Double Eagle
2000 F350 7.3 SC 4X4
previously 8'10" Snowbird Camper
2006 Triple E Regency 27 foot SXL SOLD!
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Sandia Man
Rio Rancho, NM
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Joined: 08/09/2008
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Get whatever makes you happy as you are the one paying for it. I don't feel toads should be 4WD or AWD, but my neighbor loves off-roading thus his toad is a heavily modified jeep that will climb whatever you put in front of it. Once again, it's his money and he purchased what he thought would serve his needs best.
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Mississippi
Starkville, MS, USA
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Joined: 01/22/2001
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The issue with 4wd is about being able to tow the vehicle 4 wheels down. With Ford trucks, with the purchase of a $29 part, 4wd automatic transmissions can be towed 4 down. The 2wd automatic transmissions can not be towed 4 down without extensive modification. This is not an issue with standard transmission Ford trucks. I suggest that you check on the annual towing guide available on this website and you will notice that a lot of the vehicles that can be towed 4 wheels down are 4 wd models which provide a neutral position where all 4 wheels are free to turn without requiring the transmission to turn. I towed standard transmission Ford Sportracs until my dealer got tired of hearing DW complain about the standard transmission and put me into the 4wd version. It sure is nice to be able to just hookup, push a button and it is ready to go.
S. Keith Winfield,CPA
Carol Winfield, copilot
Jolie Karra Tassos, resident English Bulldog
2008 Dutchstar DSDP 4304
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Since you already have one and have never used it, it should be a pretty safe bet you DON'T need it. I camp in national forests using forest service roads in and out, camp on the beach and live in an area with quite a bit of snow and ice and I've NEVER owned a 4x4. Need is sometimes confused with WANT 
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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rv2go
Fulltime (Knoxville, TN).... or someplace else
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Joined: 12/26/2000
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Aw,,,come on...get a Jeep or some other 4x4 vehicle and be brave and get off the blacktop. There is a lot to see and do with a 4x4. Not necessarily snow and ice. I would not leave home without the Cherokee.
Winnebago Journey
TN Lic. RV 2 GO
Jeep Cherokee 4x4
www.rv2go.us
I'm here #4335
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downtheroad
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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Probably 70% of all vehicles in this country on the roads today are 2 WD.
On second thought, considering the condition of many of the roads today, you might want to consider something like this to get to the grocery store and run errands.
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."
GMC Duramax LBZ
Komfort
Reese Dual Cam HP
Our Rig Picture...CLICK HERE
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Johng
Gilbert, AZ, USA
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Joined: 08/23/2002
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Chevy Traverse and Equinox 2WD can be towed. They are easy to setup.
John and Judy 
Division Fire Chief - Retired
USAF - Retired
05 Beaver Santiam
11 Chevy Traverse - Toad w/AF One
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ArcticDodge
Sammamish, WA
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Joined: 05/02/2005
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Sounds like you are fine with a 2wd. No reason to get something you don't need or desire to be in places where a 4x4 would be useful.
The one vehicle that I would be looking at is the Chevy Cruz Eco with MANUAL transmission. It's a real car that easily seats 4 and gets 40+ MPG. Lots of other great choices out there too.
2009 Komfort 256TS
2001 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 4x4 Cummins DRW
2005 Dodge Durango Limited AWD HEMI
2001 Sebring Convertible
1995 Miata M-Edition
2005 DRZ400
1 Wife  2 Boys UW & Bellevue College
1 Trixie (Bichon Frise)
Only 23 years to retirement!!!!
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