2WD vs. 4WD - RV-Dreams Community Forum

DreamerBob · RV-Dreams Family Member

2WD vs. 4WD

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

We bought a used 2 WD dualy at a fleet auction.

These things are considered by some to have all the handleing of a barge on snow and ice.

OK

We have regreted not having chains but having 4WD has never been a consideration.

The 2 WD has handled;

Mud, Ice, and Snow, it struggled on wet leaves mixxed with ice.

You raise the complexity issue I'll toss in two others.

4 WD will get slightly less fuel mileage (Not enough to be a major factor but still)

And tends to sit higher then a 2WD and with the fifth wheel this can be an issue.

We have a flat bed so really this is a non factor but if you go with a more traditional truck with a pickup style bed then your bed rail clearance can be an issue.

You might find your self raising the trailer or even flipping the axles on the trailer. I for one just my opinion prefer to keep the center of gravity as low as I can.

The thing wants to wallow in the dirt enough now trying to get it up even a couple of inches more makes me cringe.

Mallo

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Type 2wd or 4wd in search you will find old thread about this that is still relavent.

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

I only needed four wheel drive twice while towing during the past 30 years.

Once a hill in the RV park was slippery from a recent rain and luckily I had a 4X4 so I was able to get the trailer up the hill.

Second time was also a steep hill at high altitude and my engine just didn't (carb not fuel injected) have the power to pull the 5th wheel up the hill. A fellow RVer hooked up with his diesel dodge 4X4 and pulled the rig into the campsite.

Unless I planned on towing in snow/ice or offroad a two wheel drive fuel injected gas or diesel engine would handle the altitude and provide the power needed to get inot the spots where I've had trouble in the past.

The 4X4 usually rides rougher when empty, it has a larger turning radius, taller to get in & out of, reduced fuel mileage, harder on front tires.....just some of the drawbacks.

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

No need for a 4wd since we winter in warm weather. Also we bought a jeep this summer that has 4wd for those off road adventures.
southwestjudy

wmalefyt · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have read that wet grass can be a problem for 2WD, especially DRW. Has anyone had such an experience?

Mallo · RV-Dreams Family Member

wmalefyt wrote:

I have read that wet grass can be a problem for 2WD, especially DRW. Has anyone had such an experience?

Wet grass, wet leaves, and loose gravel can all cause the rear wheels to spin usually a sign that I've given it a bit too much throttle. Now when it's hitched up there is less problem.

That said it isn't worse then my old Dakota pickup. It's a truck thing no weight and a slippery surface and you'll have wheel spin.

Mallo

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've got to say that the dual rear wheels do seem more slippery on wet grass, sand, ice, or in snow. It seems counter intuitive, but more rubber on the road is sometimes worse for traction.

I've also, only had to use my 4 wheel drive a few times in more than 3 years. I don't know if I'd get it again. I would still opt for the dualies though with a 16,500# fiver.

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

What always amazed me is the films from WWII and Vietnam showing jeeps with skinny tires travelling through mud, snow and jungle trails without getting stuck.

So maybe the duallys are spreading the weight too much (combined with the light weight of an empty bed) and that causes loss of traction in slippery conditions.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

I used to work with a guy who swore skinny wheels with good deep tread were better at handling mud/snow than the big fat wheels. It's all about weight distribution at the tire...made sense to me...