2WD vs 4WD?

[RJ2]

When launching boats in a 3500 2WD, you best use a front

receiver.

 

[RKohn]

4 wheel launches from the light help!!!

Better in the mud or snow just because the weight of the mighty Cummins tends to impede forward motion. Ever try to push anything with a rope? Trying to push 4200 lbs on the front axle with only 3000 on the rear makes the a$$ end try to lead in a big hurry. Oo.

 

[Hohn]

I bought my truck as a 4x4 not sure if I would be glad i did or not. I am still not sure.



The front end simplicity of the 4x2 is a lot more reliable. And it steers better.



It always bothered me that to get a part time advantage, I have to pay a full-time price with the 4x4. So what is the advantage worth to you?



While i live in GA, the 4x4 was a waste of money. Here in Cheyenne, I have never regretted getting it.



The 4x4 doesn't steer that bad, and seems a lot more driver-friendly than I would have thought. I don't have the CAD on my truck, but still get decent mileage.



4x4 is almost NEVER a true need-- it's a luxury in most cases. If you switch to a winter tire and put weight in the bed, you can use a 4x2 almost anywhere year round.



But i sure like the luxury of not having to buy chains, add as much weight, or call a tow truck. The huge weight of the Cummins give the front end a LOT of drive traction, so 4x4 has been all i need even with those crappy Micheline tires.



The wife REALLY likes 4x4, and we take out the truck over the fwd car when the snow is bad.





Justin

 

[WadePatton]

Originally posted by Hohn

4x4 is almost NEVER a true need-- it's a luxury in most cases. If you switch to a winter tire and put weight in the bed, you can use a 4x2 almost anywhere year round.

Justin

FIVE times in less than a year--I had to pull the 4X2 CTD out. The old V8 half-ton 4x2 MIGHT have gotten hung up one of those times. Now I'm REAL picky where I go off road.



Yes it's a true luxury not to have to go get the other truck or tractor and a chain and a driver to pull my 4x2 out.



In my experience weight and tires pretty much take care of snow/ice conditions on road, but not off.

 

[bmoeller]

For me, I mostly use the 4x4 in low side. Pulling trailers/wagons in soft dirt, or sometimes on the grass (slippery).



We haven't had much of any snow the past 2-3 years, so it hasn't been much of an issue. When we do have snow, going through town when they are too lazy/cheap to put down any salt or sand/cinders (even at intersections), it can be a big problem getting going on the ice.



Another advantage for me is, more room underneath when doing routine maintanance and what not not.



If you stay on the pavement and away from the snow or off-road, 2wd will be just fine.

 

[OnlyCummins]

You guys are killing me!!!



Just made up my mind that I don't need 4WD & now you've all convinced me that I do! Oh well ... changed my sig again.

 

[WadePatton]

I was awful nervous when parking off the side of the road when I was in FL last time. Sometimes you hit a soft spot. Luckily I didn't get hung up.



No hills, no snow, but plenty of loose sand down there in floridatown.

 

[OnlyCummins]

Yeah, there's definitely a lot of sand down here but the loose stuff is usually easy to pick out as it's a lighter color (almost white). What's worse is soft ground. During the rainy season things tend to get a bit waterlogged around here & what might look solid ground will sink a heavy vehicle up to its axles pretty darn quick! Plenty of evidence of that along the center median on I-95 where folks, for one reason or another, have tried to cross.

 

[rashwor]

Tractors, ATVs, and my feet keep me from needing 4WD. The right equipment for the job.

 

[Hohn]

Wade, you make some good points. I was talking exclusively about on-road use.



I think that other 4x2 trucks have an advantage over the CTD. Because the front end is so heavy, the back tends to be light. On my truck, the FAW is 1600lbs more than the RAW (4100 front, 2700 rear). That means that the 2wd performance can leave a bit to be desired as far as traction goes.



And like someone else said, the front end tends to plow when in 2wd.



Thus far, I have not regretted getting 4wd. I am not expecting to regret it, either. The road manners are every bit as good as may 2wd vehicles, so I am happy with that.



justin

 

[OnlyCummins]

Have neither tractor nor ATV & can't justify either so I guess that means I'll have to rely on my feets! OTOH why walk when driving is so much easier.



On more serious note, many of the places I drive to require either a FWD non-truck or 4WD truck. I thought that a rear locker would make enuf of a difference in a 2WD truck that I could get away with 2WD only. Apparently I thought wrong.



Here are a couple of stories that seem to reinforce the need for 4WD:



Bought a used '94 Chrysler Town & Country AWD from someone in Michigan who previously had owned a truck that couldn't get up his relatively short, ~40', concrete driveway in the winter. Said the T&C had no problem. If it makes any difference, this was in a subdivision with paved streets & access to the subdivision was also paved.



One of my own: Almost got a previously owned '95 GMC K3500 6. 5L HO TD 5spd SRW Crewcab stuck in a field with slightly wet grass. Didn't have to use 4WD (K=4WD) but did have to shift into granny low 1st & very gingerly 'crawl' onto better ground.



Yeah, I know, I could just add 500 or more lbs to the rear but for me that's just not practical. I'll being using a cap/shell/whatever & will probably have a bedrug in the bed along with a slide-out bed tray. Plus I'd use it for sleeping, carrying my bicycle & assorted stuff so the last thing I want to have to do is offload 500+ lbs of whatever. Unlike some, I don't have a forklift handy.

 

[speedracer]

I've had my 2wd for over 3 years now, and until recently have never regretted my decision to go with 2wd. All of the pro 2wd reasons mentioned above were part of my decision. I live in the country on a gravel road, but don't go off road, and I haven't had a problem with getting stuck. However, earlier this year I got a relatively heavy boat(13,000+ lbs incl trailer) and I can't get it out of the water by myself if the ramps wet(which it usually is). So I carry a tow strap and get someone to help pull me out. It's kind of a pain, but not enough to justify trading on a 4wd. If I had to do it over again knowing then what I know now, I'd probably pop for 4wd, just because of the boat thing.

 

[WadePatton]

4x2 on the ramp

Mount a reciever hitch up front and pull the boat out in reverse. Somebody said that works.