2WD versus 4WD tow vehicle - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

2WD versus 4WD tow vehicle

wmalefyt · RV-Dreams Family Member

We plan on purchasing our first 2WD pickup truck next year after we determine which 5th wheel model we will buy. We do not plan on doing any offroading so I think the added weight and cost of 4WD is not necessary for an otherwise properly equipped tow vehicle. Properly equipped to me will include diesel engine, engine grade braking, DRW, and all the necessary heavy duty towing packages available to ensure safe towing.

I test drove a 2006 Chevy 3500 D/A DRW today and was very impressed with the quiet engine, smooth ride and quick pickup. I still have to test drive the Ford and Dodge vehicles in order to compare them all before making a decision.

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi to all, we have owned 3 4X4's and never used the option. Our Chevy Kodiak isn't a 4X4 that being said if you think you will be doing a lot of boondocking it's possible you would need the 4X4 option. If your going to be in mostly RV parks that have good roads the use will not justify the cost. You will use more fuel, 4x4's are hard on the front tire's. Also keep in mind the cost, you can get a lot of tow service for what the added cost of a 4X4. We will never have a 4X4 again. But I highly recommend the locking differential option and the exhaust brake. One other thing, if you are in Snow country and own a dually you must have the 4X4 option. Dually's aren't very good in Snow. We are full timing and when it gets cold we go South to the Rio Grande valley, cold weather isn't a option. Also the Duramax/Allison is a excellent option. The Duramax is the quietest Diesel out there.... Good Luck....GBY.....

Grant · RV-Dreams Family Member

From personal experience I can tell you that finding a DRW 2WD pickup is very difficult. On the Internet I could only find 2 in all of Northern California and neither of them was with in 100 miles. As to the additional cost of 4WD I found it to be negligible because dealers seemed more ready to make a deal on a truck in stock rather than one they had to order. The claim is made that “a 4WD will be worth more at trade in” so that may off set the cost as well.

The 4WD will cost about 400 pounds of towing capacity and will get slightly less mileage. From my reading of various forums the time that 4WD drive comes in to use most often in towing is after serious rain when, a 5th wheel’s tires will sink into the mud or when there is too much torque on the back wheels of the truck to get traction on wet grass.

As to the questions of snow, it has snowed in the Sierras, Cascades and the Rockies all of the way to Alaska every month of the year at one time or another so you just never know. You can’t use snow chains with DRW; I had to sign a statement that I had been informed that my truck cannot use snow chains.

Disclaimer: I have only had my truck for a month and so far I have only towed my very light 17 foot trailer on very dry roads.

Grant

2007 Silverado Classic 3500, DRW, D/A, CC, 4X4
Montana 3075RL, sooner or later.

Tony and Judy · RV-Dreams Community Member

When we bought our truck back when we towed a TT I was leaning toward the 2WD because I never had a 4WD & didn't think it was necessary. They gave us a price on a 4x4 that we couldn't pass up so we thought we might as well get it knowing it would have a better resale value & that it might come in handy. I only needed the 4WD maybe 3 times & was glad I had it then! I also felt more confident in any situation towing or just everyday driving in the occasional snow knowing I had extra traction if I needed it.

If the initial cost or minimal weight difference isn't a factor I would go for the 4WD but that's just MHO!

Good luck!

RickC · RV-Dreams Community Member

I have a 2005 F350 crewcab 4x4 and find it does a great job towing our 31' Jayco. I have only needed 4x4 twice when towing (once going into Yellowstone Park in late May, and once coming through Kansas while driving to Florida). Both times, I was very happy to have the capability as snow was not predicted either time.

In our area (South Dakota), a 4WD has much higher resale (higher than the original cost difference in the truck new) as most folks here simply will not buy a 2WD. This seems particularly true in the dually model. I would suggest taking a look at the Blue Book (KBB.com) and comparing a 2 year old truck identically equipped in 2WD and 4WD to see the difference and then see if it is worth it for your needs.

Brian and Tam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Like another poster's experience, I bought my F350 off a dealers lot and I wasn't really looking for a 4X4. But since I've owned it I have not worried about getting into areas that have a "getting stuck" potential.

We were camping in the Sierra Nevada mountains at the 3500' level, and not expecting snow. When we woke up in the morning it had snowed 16" and everyone was trying to drive out but were getting "high centered" and loosing traction. I loaded up the bed of my truck with as much weight I could find and away we went (no chains).

Just remember, if you have a 4X4, put the chains on the front tires....

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Can't comment on the advantages of one over the other since we never even had a truck before

, but in only 8 months we have had the need to engage the 4 wheel drive 3 or 4 times already.

We're glad we have it.

Fred

Sonia · RV-Dreams Family Member

This is an old thread, but since there may be new readers, I'm going to add my comments. I have a 4 wheel drive truck and for the year I've owned it, I regretted getting 4 wheel drive because it's impossible to turn into parking spaces at shopping centers. But recently when I was in southeastern Virginia, the campground sites were on a sandy/grassy area. Well, it rained all week and the site I was in was surrounded by mud. I had to engage the 4 wheel drive to pull the trailer out of the site, as I was spinning the tires down several inches into mud.

Now I'm in Florida, again on a "grassy" area and I couldn't have gotten onto the site without 4 wheel drive because there is deep loose sand around here. Even using the truck alone now that I'm parked for the winter, I have to engage the 4 wheel drive to get in and out. Smaller trucks aren't having a problem, but I guess my truck must be heavier because I am just spinning and making the sand looser.

So it isn't just wilderness camping that calls for the 4x4, and now I'm very glad I have a 4x4.

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We do some off road but never serious enough to require 4WD however we've used it several times in campgrounds after rain or on steep gravel roads. I didn't think it would be a necessity but was part of the equipment on our diesel GMC, now I wouldn't have a tow vehicle without it.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sonia and Darrell and Judy. Thanks for the added input on my question, I'm now convinced that before We go fulltime I'll be trading my Beloved 2 wheel drive Ram for a 4 wheel drive .

wmalefyt · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would think a 2 wheel drive with an automatic locking rear differential, along with using lower gearing would be adequate to move slowly through most situations we will encounter.

I need more convincing that a 4X4 is necessary for towing. It's just more weight, lower fuel economy and more things to maintain. However, I will be doing further research and talking to more 5th wheel owners to get their opinions and experiences before we buy our truck.

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill, that is exactly what everyone should do. Research is the best way to make informed decisions. I'm happy with 4WD but have no knowledge of the options that you list and what the advantage would be over 4WD. We are always happy to share our experiences and opinions but in no way claim to be experts. Happy motoring.

RVDude · RV-Dreams Family Member

In this case, I like to think of 4wd as “insurance” - not a luxury or other feature. Some people like lots of insurance some people have no insurance. There is a cost for insurance (initial outlay, lower mpg, maint, etc.) but that one time you need it (like that sudden downpour just before leaving that beautiful grassy campsite or that perfect site up a hill on that gravelly road) just might make up for that cost. Or not. For some, your roadside service towing plan may be all the insurance you need. Not that a 4x4 is a bulldozer, but there really is a significant difference between a 4x2 (even with locking differential) and 4x4 in terms of pulling traction. That difference, that “insurance” might justify it. Or not.

As usual, your insurance needs may vary.