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11-12-2014, 06:20 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
Eugene
, Oregon
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 28
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2WD vs 4WD
Hi ..M newbie looking to get tow vehicle. How important is it to have a 2WD vs a 4WD? getting information all over the map. Thanks...this is a great forum!
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11-12-2014, 06:42 PM
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#2
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,153
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Greetings from the Florida Panhandle
2wd vs. 4wd is a matter of camping style. We use a 4wd towvehicle because we like to strike out into the back country while we are on our Airstream adventures. For most Arstreaming, a 2wd is quite sufficient.
Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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11-12-2014, 06:43 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2002 31' Classic
Currently Looking...
Monroe
, Iowa
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 649
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Personally, I own a Corvette and a Camaro that are two wheel drive. Everything else is either 4WD or AWD. But then I live in Iowa.
(Iowa is not the end of the world, but you can see it from here.)
Seriously tho, I have been in many situations pulling a trailer when I needed that front axle to help pull the load, on ice, gravel, mud, and even wet grass.
Before I had 4WD TVs I was just stuck in those situations. I think my decision to buy a 4WD TV was when I could not make it up a muddy gravel hill that led to the campground down at Mountain Home, Arkansas.
A guy in a 4WD Ford offered to pull me and my AS up that hill. All I could think about was rock damage all over my TV and AS. He promised that he would not spin a single wheel, and everything would be fine.
True to his word we went right up that hill, so easily. By the end of the month, I had a new 4WD TV, and I've never looked back.
I have 3 trucks in my company for my mgrs to drive. They are all 4WD; I will never buy another 2WD truck.
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11-12-2014, 06:51 PM
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#4
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Moderator
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,253
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When we got our new TV we were looking for AWD, because occasionally our 2WD van had gotten stuck on slick grass or muddy campsites. I think AWD will do the trick for us.
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Stephanie
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11-12-2014, 06:53 PM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
2002 31' Classic
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 442
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If I didn't have AWD on the X5 I couldn't back the AS into my back yard, as I have to climb a curb and a slight up hill on grass. Additionally, the X5 has a relatively short wheel base which allows greater maneuverability in the confines of my back yard. A 2 wheel drive pick up truck would be problematic in both tractive effort and maneuverability.
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11-12-2014, 06:56 PM
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#6
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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There are other threads on this topic and worth reading. I figure I'll need 4WD if the local police spec their vehicles that way. In the meantime the lower purchase price and lower operational cost make 2WD economical.
Plus the lower CG and -- with my brand of truck and spec -- the IFS plus rack & pinion steering make for better handling since one has more accurate feedback.
Where AWD is available on a car or non-pickup SUV it may be a better choice.
Fully independent suspension is a better question for what is wanted in a TV for this trailer type. Things tend to go downhill from there. Use a European turbodiesel as tops. The bottom feeder is a live axle 4WD pickup that is lifted on off-road tires.
Again, this has been covered before and the threads deserve reading.
Electronic stability control makes up for some deficiencies
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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11-12-2014, 07:00 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford,
, Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
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Even though we don't camp a lot off the pavement, I still find that about once a season I'll have to put my truck in 4 wheel drive to back the camper into gravel camping pads that have a slight uphill grade. Also, just this summer in Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains we had to park the truck pointed downhill on wet grass. After a nice bike ride, I tried to back up, no luck just spinning. Pushed the button, drove right out. How long would it have taken to get someone to pull me up the hill- don't know but you can see that 4 wheel drive is worth every penny when you need it.
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Bruce & Rachel
__________________
68 Trade Wind
2001 Toyota Tundra
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11-12-2014, 07:04 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
1987 25' Sovereign
Oregon
, Ohio
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 491
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I have only driven 2wd vehicles since I started driving back in 1969 in NW Ohio. I would only buy 2wd that has a limited slip rear differential. I also prefer Ford trucks because they seem to develop their torque at a lower RPM than the other brands, all of these with gas engines.
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11-12-2014, 07:05 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
2015 30' Classic
Calgary
, Alberta
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 359
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You may ultimately have to sacrifice some fuel economy but I agree with Terry. When you need it, it's worth it. Some camp sites or roads into those sites have ruts, sand, gravel, mud etc. and nothing can ruin a day more than spinning your wheels while your trailer is attached.
Towing aside I've always been a proponent of AWD vehicles, both my daily drivers are Audi's.
__________________
'15 Classic
'16 Ram 2500HD CTD 4x4 Limited w/ Air and Ramboxes
Instagram: cory_can
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11-12-2014, 07:18 PM
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#10
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begorragirl
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Denville
, New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,029
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I drive 4wd, need it where I live, which was my first concern. Towing came se ond and it all works out, but then I tow a bambi.
__________________
2006 Bambi CCD ("EireStream!!")
2010 Funfinder
2005 T@B
2001 Teardrop, Mountain Hardware Tent
For some perfection takes a little longer...
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11-12-2014, 08:36 PM
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#11
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cramar
1992 25' Excella
Leamington
, Ontario
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 73
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Been wondering about this issue myself. Did an extensive search on this subject on this site, and one lengthy thread got into a discussion that 4WD is not 4WD, but two-wheel drive because of differentials (one front and one rear can spin). The consensus was that a 2WD with locking differential is superior. But just try to find a used truck with locking differential. Hah! Not in my part of the world.
Also, I've yet to see anyone address the mileage issue with real numbers and cost over the life of the vehicle. I agree that 4WD is nice *IF* and when you need it, but the reality is the fact that 99.99% of most driving is done on paved highways.
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11-12-2014, 09:18 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Sneedville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,753
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And that is the reason I wanted 4WD, to get away from the 99%!
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11-12-2014, 09:20 PM
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#13
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Full time Airstreamer
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Anywhere
, USA Living.Somewhere.Yonder
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,359
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 68 TWind
4 wheel drive is worth every penny when you need it.
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This.
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11-12-2014, 09:31 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2014 25' FB International
2007 20' Safari SE
2005 19' Safari
Qualicum Beach
, British Columbia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,096
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It depends on how many tow vehicles you can afford! We have 2. Vehicles and I am the only driver. Corvette for cruising and 4x4 for everything else because where we live you couldn't go out of the city without one.
If you never go off road and your winters aren't severe then a 4x2 is probably all you need especially if it has a locking rear (GM) which below 20 mph is probably as good as a lot of 4x4's that only have limited slip.
George
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11-12-2014, 09:54 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
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I had a 2WD Chevy Silverado 2500 Diesel - a mighty, mighty truck until you got on mud or wet grass or snow.
My new tow vehicle is a Ford Ecoboost 150 - which impressed the heck out of me during 3 unanticipated snowstorms last winter.
Paula
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Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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11-12-2014, 10:39 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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...truly nice to be able to flick a switch and go into 4wd to get you out of predicaments ...INSTEAD of calling a tow truck. If your budget allows, go for it; when it comes time to trade / sell your TV, the 4wd will have cost you little and provided peace of mind! Ditto here for a Corvette and 4x4 ... same as George M.
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2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
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11-13-2014, 06:08 AM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
1987 25' Sovereign
Oregon
, Ohio
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 491
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I still say 2wd with limited slip rear end. During the winter I believe in a well stocked pantry and fire wood rack. Our normal winter snow fall is 35" to 40", last year it was about 100". When it snowed heavy it was time to enjoy the snow outside and the fire inside. I feel that the cost of 4wd for the once or twice a year that we truly need it here is way to high. After 40 years of working in the streets year around I have seen many accidents because of to much speed of vehicles with 4wd or Awd.
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11-13-2014, 06:14 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1995 30' Excella
Bowie
, Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,345
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Answers are all over the map because everyone has different needs.
We went with 4WD in case of snow at home. Then we discovered that we almost always need the 4WD when we're backing the trailer in across the yard - our yard is a sloppy mess if it rained any time in the last few days. We use 4WD a lot, so we wouldn't buy a truck without it. Other people may never need it.
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1995 Airstream Classic 30' Excella 1000
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7L Diesel
Sold but not forgotten: 1991 Airstream B190
Sold: 2006 F-250 6.0L Powerstroke Supercab
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11-13-2014, 06:43 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Broadway
, North Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 838
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I have used both 2wd and 4wd to tow.
4wd is invaluable when you need in a pinch or if you are pulling your trailer on rough trails. You have to balance that with the extra upfront and maintenance/repair costs.
There are significant traction factors to consider either way............
- Tires. Load range E tires with reasonably quiet tread for highway, inflated to 60+ psi, are pretty much worthless in mud, sand, loose gravel or icy conditions - 2WD or 4WD.
- Locking differentials. A 2WD truck without a locking rear differential, is a 1WD in low traction situations. A 4WD truck without locking front and rear differentials, is a 2WD in low traction situations. A 4WD truck with a locking rear but without locking front differential, is a 3WD in low traction situations.
- Manual Locking front hubs. Automatic locking front hubs have a bit of a delay so you can get stuck before you get'er into 4WD and the front hubs lock up.
- High volume air compressor/inflation. If you get into a sticky wicket, you may well need to air down the tires
- Limited slip vs true locking differentials. Most limited slip differentials will not kick in until one wheel on the axle is spinning pretty darn fast. Whether in a 4WD or 2WD, having a switch to lock'er up before the one wheel starts to bury itself, is a big plus.
- Winch. If you are planning pulling a 6000lb Airstream in places where 4WD may be needed, a big winch up front may be just as useful - 4WD or 2WD.
Given I drive mostly on highways and well maintained gravel roads. I lean toward 2WD with manual locking rear differential and good traction quiet all terrain tires.
(ps I grew up in Florida - we learned that when white stuff starts falling on the road, don't engage the 4WD. Turn South! )
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2006 Safari SE FB
2000 F150 4.2L (retired), 2011 F250 6.2L, 2010 ML550, 2000 Excursion 7.3L
Broadway, NC
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11-13-2014, 07:32 AM
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#20
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3 Rivet Member
1972 23' Safari
NSB
, Florida
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 139
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Having uneven ground, I use 4WD every time I move our AS or boat around the yard.
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