towing question

[Alumaluna]

Originally Posted by TravelDen

Does having a 2WD vs a 4WD make much of a difference for towing.
Looking at a Ford Explorer Limited 3.5L engine -not sure if I need a 4wd-towing capacity 5600#. Planning on towing a 20' any recommendations?

My TV is a 2011 Toyota Tundra, 4x4 with the 5.8 liter V-8, which replaced a 2005 Toyota Tundra, 4x4, which was gifted to my son because he didn’t have 4x4.

The light came on for me to have 4x4 capability was while driving in January heading southbound out of Jackson Hole, WY. The temps dropped to 34*, and there is nothing that can scare you strait more than the feeling of a loss in steering on the highway with the sight of an oncoming big-rig.

I tow a 28’ AS, and use 4x4 when I leave the pavement, or it gets slippery on the highway!

Better Safe than Sorry!

[blkmagikca]

I acquired my AS + TV from an older gentleman who hung his keys. The TV is a Ram 2500HD diesel with 2WD. Initially, drivng on pavement all was OK. However, at an AS rally I needed to park on grass and it was during a rain dizzle and I got stuck. The hosts had a farm tractor and pulled me along. However, the strap around the bumber broke the plastic bumper inserts. That started an odyssey as trading the TV was not a viable solution, I ended up a few later changing the bumpers for Iron Bull bumpers (see https://www.ironbullbumpers.com/) as the old Ram didn't have tow hooks. The bumpers did come with mounts for a winch, so I went to Harbor Freight and bought a 12,000 winch and had it installed behind the front bumper. So far it has hauled me out of 3 situations, including being sunk to my axles in mud while trying to cross a grassy area at the end of a dead end street to another road with my AS in tow.

If you have the option at the time of buying to get 4WD- take it. But know that a winch will help if you only have a 2WD.

[SilverCabin]

My TV is a 4x2. My previous TV was 4x2. Both however, had locking rear differentials, and good tires. I've been is some messy conditions (uphill in mud) and never had any difficulty getting out. 4x2s have a higher towing capacity, and less moving parts to maintain.

Randy

[tjdonahoe]

4 x 4 yes.....

[hobiedog]

When I ordered my 2015 F150 I was not sure about 2wd or 4wd. I got 4wd and I am very glad I did. I use AWD whenever the road is wet or snowy. I have used both 4wd high and low on occasion. The thing that did it however was hen the salesman pointed out that selling a used 2wd F150 is not easy. I looked on their used car lot and had to agree, virtually all the Exlporers and F150 were 4WD

[Daquenzer]

Originally Posted by hobiedog

When I ordered my 2015 F150 I was not sure about 2wd or 4wd. I got 4wd and I am very glad I did. I use AWD whenever the road is wet or snowy. I have used both 4wd high and low on occasion. The thing that did it however was hen the salesman pointed out that selling a used 2wd F150 is not easy. I looked on their used car lot and had to agree, virtually all the Exlporers and F150 were 4WD

I agree with this post. You will hardly be able to find a 2WD pickup on a lot. Certainly not in Wisconsin!! Resale has to take a hit with a 2WD pickup.

[jcl]

Lots of responses here about pickup trucks, and 4wd systems that can't be used on pavement much of the time.

The OP's question wasn't about a pickup and the basic 4wd system that many pickups offer.

The OP's question was about a Ford Explorer SUV, with either RWD or intelligent AWD.

Yes, the AWD can help with traction on grass. More importantly, it can help with traction in poor weather conditions on the road, something the truck 4WD systems aren't designed for. With AWD, you get the benefit of four wheels driving all of the time, not just the few times a year when you park on wet grass, or go too far down a road which perhaps you shouldn't have been on in the first place.

I would go with the AWD option in the Explorer. We had two of them, earlier models, prior to our two Expeditions. We lived in the (far) north. AWD was a real benefit with all four. The only issue I recall with the Explorers wasn't the traction, it was more the steering rack that was low slung, away from engine heat, and which consequently locked up when driving straight on the highway at -40, unless you tarped the engine bay.

[mefly2]

One consideration is that 4wd often impacts payload ... usually not significantly.
If you have the option, get 4wd ...

[HunterWVA]

The 4X4 trucks I have owned {1986 Dodge Ram Auto., 2001 F-150 manual shift & 2016 Ram 1500 Auto.} I could shift in to 4wheel high on the fly as long as I was doing 55MPH. or slower per the manuals that came with the trucks, and all my manuals said
not to use 4Wheel drive on "dry pavement"...
And who would want to do that anyhow???
You have to come to a complete stop to in gage 4Wheel low range and once again "Do not use on dry pavement"...

[RJKSr]

My tow vehicle is a Silverado HD 2500 LTZ with the Z71 package which includes 4WD.

I have used the 4WD option several times with the Airstream. A few times involved wet ground that seemed OK but gave way under the weight of the trailer burying the tires +5" on one side or the other in mud. Another time or two involved climbing a damp/wet gravel hill and the truck started slipping. As others have attested, you won't use 4WD often, but the 4WD option saved me the few times I needed it.

I have not really needed 4WD to tow it on secure and dry roadways, but as others mentioned, if you do use it in that capacity, the turning radius somewhat impairs maneuverability. However, that occurs whether you have a trailer or not, but seems accentuated when maneuvering a trailer.

I would not own a tow vehicle without 4WD as it has proved very worthwhile the times I have needed it.

[Spaggs]

I now have a two (2) wheel drive Ford Excursion. I did install a TrueTrac limited slip. Have never gotten stuck anywhere, including snow. This has almost entirely been driven on asphalt/concrete.
I’ve never been stuck in snow wherever I’ve lived: 14 years in the north suburbs of Chicago, four (4) years in Beaver Dam, WI and six (6) years in Rochester, NY.
My secret is a couple hundred pounds of either kitty litter or sand, which ever I think I’ll need that coming spring, and a good set of snow tires.

[s1000pre]

My 4WD F150 is in 2wd most of the time. Yes 4WD reduces payload, if Payload is the factor, get a bigger TV. I have needed 4WD more than 1/2 dozen times this year. Never mind the loose sand at a couple RV parks needing 4WD. For things as simple as leveling on dew covered grass. Pulling your trailer onto levelers or blocks is done slowly, this doesn’t work well on a looses or wet surfaces in 2wd. I will never purchase a 2wd truck.

[ROBERT CROSS]

“It's better to have what you don't need when you need it, than not to have it when you don’t.” or “you may think you don’t need it but when you do….you’ll have it.”
RLC

POI...all our TV's have been 4wd.
Well, almost the 87 Jeep Wagoneer didn't have a rear locker it was 3wd.

Bob
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