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Open Roads Forum  >  Tow Vehicles

 > Four wheel drive or two wheel drive?

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mowermech

Billings, MT

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Posted: 03/15/12 09:20am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I go to USFS back-country primitive campgrounds almost exclusively. Some of them are at the end of two-track dirt roads. I have never really needed four wheel drive to get there or get back.
Yes, over the years, I have had many 4X4 pickups. Yes, at the moment I own two Jeeps (see sig.). However, when I was looking to buy a truck to tow a fifth wheel I looked for and found a 4X2 Dodge CTD 1 ton dually. I happily traded my Nissan King Cab 4X4 in on it. I have never regretted buying the 4X2.
My Tioga Class C is a 4X2. I can't imagine wanting to take a trailer anyplace I can't go with the Tioga!
Before I got the Tioga, I had a Caribou 11.5 foot camper on the Dodge. I took it to the end-of-the-road campgrounds, no problem.
If I upgrade my truck, it will probably be a 4X4. WHY? Because they are simply easier to find than a good 4X2. Not because I WANT or NEED a 4X4, but simply because I don't want to order a new one, and the used market is glutted with 4X4s!
I have been and am quite happy with my 4X2.


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samsontdog

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Posted: 03/15/12 09:21am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I have had three TV with 4wd and never used 4wd. Myself I would buy 2wd


samsontdog

8iron

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Posted: 03/15/12 09:55am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Dixie Flyer wrote:

....For those of you who have four wheel drive do you find hooking up to be a problem sometime by not being able to raise the camper high enough to hitched up?


Ford lists the height difference between the 4x2 and 4x4 as 3.5". I'm not sure very much adjustment would need to be made. I guess you would have to compare them against your present TV to see if there was a drastic enough difference to have the hitch/pin raised or lowered.


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Dixie Flyer

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Posted: 03/15/12 09:58am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

8iron wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:

....For those of you who have four wheel drive do you find hooking up to be a problem sometime by not being able to raise the camper high enough to hitched up?


Ford lists the height difference between the 4x2 and 4x4 as 3.5". I'm not sure very much adjustment would need to be made. I guess you would have to compare them against your present TV to see if there was a drastic enough difference to have the hitch/pin raised or lowered.


I have a 2005 F250 4X2 now trading for a 2012 F350 4X4



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blangen

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Posted: 03/15/12 09:59am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Just my 1 cent worth (probably not even valuable to be worth the full 2 cents)... I think of 4wd like going out of the house without the cell phone. How many times have you walked out without it thinking that you won't need it? Invariably, that's exactly when I realize I needed it. I've used 4wd quite a few times when I hadn't planned on it. Here's a vote for the 4x4.

retispcsi

Port Charlotte, Florida

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Posted: 03/15/12 10:06am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I have owned both 2 and 4 wd vehicles. I towed tt's with a 2wd truck and got stuck on wet grass in campgrounds before. I tow a 36ft. 5er with a 4wd Ram and have yet to be stuck. I have had to drive through mud and soft sand with the 5er attached and sailed right through. I would have sunk with a 2wd drive truck. A 4wd drive truck is insurance, it may cost a little more but in the end you have to as yourself would you leave home without it. Both will tow just fine as for me I will never buy any truck that did not have 4wd.

Nomadac

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Posted: 03/15/12 10:11am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

If you don't need 4wd and don't travel where 4wd is needed why pay more for something you will probably never use. Insurance on 4wd is more then 2wd a long with maintenance, poorer fuel economy, etc. Save you money and buy a 2wd IMO.


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smkettner

Southern California

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Posted: 03/15/12 10:16am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

2wd is best for those that ask. If you needed or wanted 4wd there would be no post. If you just carry a tow rope or snatch strap there are plenty of 4wd around to get you rolling in a pinch.


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old guy

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Posted: 03/15/12 10:19am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I for one can not figure why they offer 4x4 in the south, you might have mud but that is the only thing, no snow, ice or hills to speak of. I am an other who would not be without one. If you never had one in all these years, you probably don't need one now

8iron

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Posted: 03/15/12 10:25am Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Dixie Flyer wrote:

8iron wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:

....For those of you who have four wheel drive do you find hooking up to be a problem sometime by not being able to raise the camper high enough to hitched up?


Ford lists the height difference between the 4x2 and 4x4 as 3.5". I'm not sure very much adjustment would need to be made. I guess you would have to compare them against your present TV to see if there was a drastic enough difference to have the hitch/pin raised or lowered.


I have a 2005 F250 4X2 now trading for a 2012 F350 4X4


If the dealer is close by I would go measure the actual height from ground to bed rails and compare. At present do you need to raise the legs of your 5ver substantially to hook up? There "should" be enough travel to go a little higher if needed.

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