Need Advice on 1WD or 2WD or 4WD?

[Ray Eklund]

We all like to have a bit of fun during times like these. It is difficult, I know, but we have managed well for a year and keep on doing what we do...

Whatever 'what WE do' is NOT even considered normal, practical or even considered as an option among the majority of Airstream owners. I do not care at all. Our trailer is prepared for anything and already an Improved: Off the Grid Airstream.

I add some photographs of our last Long Adventure. The One Wheeler tow vehicles do not cut it... Wally Byam is turning in his Airstream...

Many AT these areas use 1WD bicycles attached to their 4WD towed trailers. None were Airstreams. Why? Probably because the SOBrand people believe Airstreams are for easy camping at RV Parks and Rallies? This is exactly what they think and are surprised when we... help them find their way out of the Boondocks. True.

Ask a fifth wheel camper. Ask a single, double or triple axle Some Other Brand Owner. It is a misconception that Airstreams are for City People without Blue Heelers.

I liked the Pile of Bicycles... and had to stop and get a photo. Did it take this many to tow single axle Airstreams 90 years ago???? It must have been a VERY Large Rally of disappointed 1WDers. All discarded at one spot. Imagine that. Like the Death Valley Borax wagons and mules...

NO 2WD where these people live. NO 2WD towing cattle, horses, trailers or fifth wheels. Not to be found.

How and WHERE you plan to travel should be YOUR PRIMARY interest for a Tow Vehicle. Even a trailer, if you are seriously concerned. Not what others may REQUIRE.

An Airstream CAN be made into an On and Off the Road worthy trailer. Yes. True. Look at these roads. These are... easy ones.

MY COST: One popped rivet and one cabinet screw laying on the floor which may have been dropped when the trailer was built or I will find where it did fall out... and replaced it with a LATH SCREW that will WORK better.

Our New Mexico found Blue Heeler... Cody with Blue.

[OTRA15]

1WD?

Get wheel Ray!

[kidjedi]

We were at that bicycle mountain over Thanksgiving! We had an amazing time visiting Mt. Rushmore and the surrounding area. The temps were in the 70's, but no one expected that for late November, so we had all of South Dakota pretty much to ourselves! I did not expect so much to do in that area (including one of the coolest BLM sites we've ever camped... complete with multiple caves!), but we got lucky. I'm betting this summer will be hell there, with the surge in RVing that is going to annihilate the relaxing parts of camping anywhere near people. Luckily we have boondocking! And congrats on the new pup!

[Ray Eklund]

[QUOTE=OTRA15;2504595]1WD?

Get wheel Ray!

******

Wally needed balloon tires... those you see are early Goodyear Marathons for bicycles and not much better for the Airstream.

He could have pulled a double axle if he used Michelin LT 42 inch tires.

Just kidding. I love Goodyear Marathon 14 inch C rated tires. You replace them one at a time... until going to something else. Never wear out.

[Ch47d1sg]

awesome post Ray and spot on. 4WD for us

[uncle_bob]

Hi

It is amazing the number of very rational places we go and get told "we've never had one of those back in here before ....". Not quite as common as "gee, that looks new, do they still make those?", but close.

Bob

[dznf0g]

In addition to the traction issues listed above, I use 4L almost all the time to hitch up on inclines or to roll up on the Andersen levelers. the throttle control in 4L is much more precise, in 2WD or 4H you have to overcome the torque converter stall speeds and the truck can move somewhat unpredictably under some conditions.

[Ray Eklund]

If a bag of $100,000 in Crisp Like New 1928 $100 Gold Certificates were found in the house you bought twenyfive years ago behind the toilet sheet rock needing repair... would you sell.... some to collectors and buy a 2x2 Six Banger?

Of course not.

If your great Uncle gave you a choice of his buying you a 2x2 Dodge with a short bed or a 4x4 Dodge Diesel 3/4 ton with a shell... would you want the V4 mini van?

I received a letter from a Dealership wanting to buy my 2016 AD F350 Diesel 4x4. Did you get a letter? Not for a 2x2. Nobody wants them. Not in the Rocky Mountains. Maybe Kansas and Texas... but not on top of Pikes Peak in a July Snow Storm.

If you put a Sign For Sale on a 2x2 or a 4x4 which do people stop to look at? They look at neither. They look at mine and I only wanted a Double Cheeseburger and thick curly fries at Denny's...

Of course: My F350 Diesel 4x4 King Ranch that the Ford Dealer wanted to unload in 2016 when the new 2017's were coming out. I did not even want one. I wanted a 3/4 ton. The extra $100 for two leaf springs was a bit more than I wanted to spend.

Buy what you cannot afford or need. In two years you can double what you paid to sell used, but will pay 3X to get the same truck due to inflation as new.

Used name brand clothes you use sells. Your Costco denims do not. I know, I have them and wear them until they do not fit, or the holes make them designer pants and I swap them for new ones. Either way a Win / Win.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

...

I received a letter from a Dealership wanting to buy my 2016 AD F350 Diesel 4x4. Did you get a letter? .......

Hi

Hopefully theses threads get folks thinking about changing around their rig. Thinking is not the same as doing, but ....

Letter or not, 2x2 2x4 or 4x4, if you are getting close to the "time to trade" point on your vehicle.... this may be a pretty good time to cut a deal. Used prices are through the roof. You can find about as good a deal on a new big truck now as you could a couple years ago. Tail end of the 2021's or a 2022 .... your choice.

Downside is you *will* wait a while for that new vehicle. Second downside: this or that happens and the value of your trade changes a lot. One solution is to trade up front and live one vehicle short for (quite) a while.

Bob