Do I need 4 X 4 on my tow vehicle

[AirChief]

I think everyone pretty much covered all the important thoughts so I will just pile on my thoughts. I camp off the grid in BLM and Natl Forest and most are not paved roads and most are actually rough enough that you had better be in 4x4. I am also the belief better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I'd go with a rig that is 2 wheel and can be switched into 4 wheel not a full time AWD. Also, another thought is that once I unhitch and set camp, I go exploring and you may need 4x4 in whatever forest you are exploring. If you are going to spend a chunk on a heavy duty set up, get off road capbility.

[m.hony]

I will most likely never get another truck, but if I do it WILL be 4WD. Period.
Once or twice stuck in wet grass, monkey grass, or loose gravel, or slimy mud is enough for me.
But, with 4 payments left and 32,000 miles I will probably just keep slippin' in monkey grass...
If you have a truck 15 years and 4WD saved you once or twice it was worth it. As it is, when I get stuck I'll hafta call PharmGeek to the rescue...

[m.hony]

I never was the "off-roading" type- as I can't see getting a $30,000+ truck dirty or scratched- I like a clean ride- but 4WD has more uses than off-roading.

[openroad118]

Being from the frozen north, I made the vow to never have 2wd ever again. And in addition to all of the advantages of 4X4, there's also the greater level of TESTOSTERONE

[RickDavis]

One thing we all seem to agree on is wet grass is a problem

[m.hony]

What happens when I get stuck in my own yard on wet grass? Depends on where it is- if it is not in the way, leave it and try again in a day or so-
If it is in the way , call a friend with 4WD- it is amazing how effortlessly it idles out-
If I ever get another truck- it would have to be something extreme like a total wreck or house burns down and trucks goes with it or it is stolen and they never find it ...

[JFScheck]

Originally Posted by MrUKToad

Four wheel drive may get you out of a hole occasionally but will always adversely affect your gas mileage.

My 2013 Ram Cummings 2500 disconnects the front drive shaft when driving in 2wd mode - I think this technology came from the Ram 1500's.

No more parasitic loss spinning stuff you don't need too when in 2wd. This feature on Ram's is called "Center Axel Disconnect" or "CAD".

Life with the Modern Trucks is indeed Good!!!

[68 TWind]

I would say if you can, get the 4x4. A lot depends on where you camp but I have had to put my truck in 4 wheel drive several times while trying to back into an uphill camp site. Loose gravel on the edge of the road and an uphill grade and as soon as the rear tires left the pavement they would spin. No way to get into the sites with 2 wheel drive. Push a button and engage 4 wheel drive and I backed up with zero problems. I have also had to use 4 wheel drive in wet grass!

[r carl]

A 2wd with a regular rear differential shouldn't be considered. I think a 2wd GM truck with the tow package has a locking rear differential, which makes a big difference! I've never had to use my 4wd because I have a rear locker, but I'm careful of where I go while pulling my camper.

[graysailor]

Resale value is better with a 4X4 but you will loose about 1-1.5mpg. In the end I think it is cheap insurance and a good investment. Go with the 4X4.

[Hodum]

If i was camping on dry pavement each time I would still want a 4x4. I am aware that people are just different and some prefer different equipment for different reasons. But a 4x4 will likely return your investment when traded or sold, there is very little difference in fuel milage, and a 4x4 is more practical for most applications.
No, you probably don't need it but get it anyway.

[m.hony]

It is always better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it...

[kscherzi]

The 987 hp Bugatti Veyron with a top speed of 267 mph is a 4wd car. Just like 4 wheel brake is better, so is 4wd.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Airstream Forums mobile app

[Magic Carpet]

Thank you for the feedback. Leaning towards including the 4 X 4.

[ROBERT CROSS]

The times I've needed it when Streaming have convinced me....I wouldn't toe without it.

"It's better to have what you 'don't need' when you need it, than not to have it when you don't."
RLC


Bob

[polarlyse]

I would like to add some observations I have made over the recent years since AWD vehicles have become commonplace. Here in the NE as well as other areas of the country we contend with " Mother Nature " in the form of winter. I have had several vehicles with 4WD as well as a few with AWD. Now, you might ask, what is the difference ? With a 4WD vehicle you must consciously put the transfer case into FWD usually AFTER finding some slippage in traction. Sometimes with forethought we think ahead and engage it but usually it's an afterthought. Now, with AWD you do not need to do anything. It's always engaged. When mother nature throws stuff at us we may not even realize it because we have AWD and are driving almost normal. We can go like the devil especially in light snow and on wet roads. Next comes the kicker. We can't stop any better than anyone else on the roads. Just a few weeks back I was traveling north into a snow storm from DC area to NJ and encountered very bad road conditions. Couldn't tell you how many AWD's passed me or how many I saw wiped out off on the side of the roads. Lots of non AWD also but many had it.

I, for one, believe in AWD or 4WD and own them. But I also advise that we need to be more aware of the driving conditions because we may not notice them until it's too late.

Drive safely. See ya'll ON the road sometime.

[Moflash]

You pay more for it upfront but it will return the majority of the amount spent if you trade within 6 years or so in the form of resale value.

[graysailor]

Having been in the trucking business for close to 40 years I have seen countless accidents. For some reason people seem to think they are exempt from the hazards of fog, rain, ice, snow. No excuse for not either slowing down or just get off the road until conditions improve. Many a time I just pulled over and waited out a storm until conditions improved. Usually not much time was really lost.