4x4 or not

[SMcCarty]

My current truck is a 1999 dodge 1/2 ton short bed-5. 2L A. T.

loaded. no leather. no 4x4. has air bags and KYB shocks.

I bought a new camper which I plan to to leave on the truck

90% of the time. (fleetwood model: 8c slide in. overhead

camper, 1920 lbs wet. aprox. 2250 wet and loaded. )

My current truck is overloaded. I ordered a new 3/4 ton diesel

equiped the same as my last truck accept I added the diesel

engine and camper special package. I CAN'T DECIDE if I need 4x4?

I see the payload rating with 4x4 is less. I have no need for 4x4 unless a 4x4 is a better option with a camper.

please advise

 

[NVR FNSH]

If you haven't needed 4wd yet with your current truck & have no desire to get off the beaten path or don't need 4wd during the winter then don't get 4wd. 4wd will have higher purchase price, higher mainentance costs & higher operating costs.



Brian

 

[klenger]

The 4x4 has a lower payload because of the higher weight of the empty truck ... front axle and transfer case. On the Dodge, it also sits about 4 inches higher, which is not an advantage in my mind. If I lived in the south, I probably would not have a 4x4, but in Colorado, you only need it a couple of times a year to make it worth while. I think 4x4 resale is much much higher here also.



Bottom line is, if you haven't needed it before, you won't need it in the new truck either. $x2 will also save about $2000 - $3000. Where are you located?

 

[Fireman Dave]

Yeah, but a 4x4 is BIGGER! And bigger is better in this game, right?



Seriously, I have it, but look where I live. Here's a towing story, though. I tow a 27' TT. When I towed it to CA in June I found a need for 4wd at my brother's house in CA. He lives at the top of a winding, gravel driveway - about a mile long and a 45 degree angle. Without 4 wheel low, there's no way I would have gotten my trailer up there. It took everything I had to do it. Just a thought.



But you both are right. 4wd will cost more to buy and maintain, and your weight rating will be lower with it. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Doc Tinker]

If you live in a snow area, I suggest you get the 4x4, even if you've done well with the 2x4. These diesel trucks are heavier in the front and I had a heck of a time going anywhere with my 2x4 last winter during the snow storms. The front wheels would get stuck in the ruts and the rears would slide out of the ruts. When that happened, I'd get sidewise in the road and go nowhere. I had my big tool box and a couple of bags of salt in the truck and it didn't seem to help much.



Other than the few snow days, my truck is just fine though, so I'm not going to go trading it in. You'll have to decide what's importent.



Doc

 

[Archive]

I would never own a 4x2... it just would not work for me, going to Montana to my cabin.



Fireman Dave hit a few good points... and with a camper, you are going to want to ease over bumps, etc, which increases your chances of spinning out. Even backing a trailer around at a campground, if you upgrade to a TT or 5th wheel later, will cause you to lose traction at times. I have spun in 2wd on wet grass, slight incline, while towing a trailer. It only takes once to ruin your day.



I look at 4wd like I look at the Cummins... a bit more to invest, but I use it and get a bit more at resale.



Hope this helps... ultimately, its all your decision.

 

[Pete Peterson]

4X4 Forever!!!!!!!

SMcCarty, with the 4X4 its will always be there if you need it and you get your money back if and when you decide to trade years down the road. Plus the 4X4 Dodge Cummins is the best looking truck on the road, now if you just would have ordered the dually ... ... ... ... ... Pete

 

[Evan A. Beck]

With a 4x4 you just have to walk further when you get stuck.



Both are good, both have their advantages...

 

[danandamy]

LOL Evan! That's what we always say around here and there's alot of truth to that. The hunters got stuck in record number down here last year. Why? Because they thought 4x4=can go anywhere. Oh, well, the wrecker guy made a good chunk of change I've used my 4x4 a couple of times. It's handy when you need it. If I was buying a brand new truck I honestly probably wouldn't bother.

 

[swamp rat]

Walking Further

Good point Evan, but the whole point is to not get stuck in the first place. I learned a long, long time ago that 4x4's and their drivers are a lot like cowboys and horses. Ain't a horse can't be rode, ain't a cowboy can't be throwed. So it is with 4x4's and the drivers. Ain't one made that can't be stuck somewhere, and if the driver gets too cocky getting stuck is easier.



Check in with the Ferd guys sometime, spcifically Bob Chandler in St. Louis. A friend of mine in St. Peters has a beautiful pic of BF#1 buried almost to the doorhandles in Flat River.



The trick is to learn what to do to prevent getting stuck, and then learn what to do or not to do in case of sticking the truck. I liken it to a science of sorts, a dirty muddy science, but science nonetheless.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

My 2WD trucks, both my '98. 5 and my '01, have been excellent in the snow. Even with 4" of fresh snow on the pass, my '98. 5 just cruised through it like it wasn't even there. A lot of it has to do with the LSD, in my opinion. Same goes for my '01. When we had a semi-blizzard here back in Feb, I was inside at my friends place, and when I came back outside a few hours later, there was 8" of snow on the ground! I was like, "crap, 350HP + 2WD + ice is a baaaaaad combination. " Well, once I got the thing going, traction was great, and getting up the big hills near my house proved to be no problem.



When I do by a 4x4, it is going to be an old first gen truck, most likey a '92 or '93 5-speed. But I think I will do my 8. 3 project truck first!

 

[metal tech]

I ordered my 4X4 for a few reasons

even though I live in south Georgia, we do get hurricanes and the associated flooding. I have needed 4X recently to crawl over a curb helping a friend move. when I retire from the Air Force I'm not real sure where I want to live, so I may need 4X in the winter. since the cummins gives way better mileage than the 427 BBC I had in my 76 GMC 4X, I figure it's money well spent to get the 4X now rather than to try trading/ordering it later. BTW I'm getting about 18. 3 avg mpg.



AL

 

[tgbol]

If you got where you were going before with a 2x you probably don't need a 4x. I chose 4x4 because the CHP makes 2x's put chains on at the first snowflake. I can go to the cabin by just showing a burlap bag that sounds like it has chains in it. Most often there is a remark that it is a real burlap bag. Just another tip when driving in sandy areas, carry empty sand bags. You can always fill them up and make a road out of them.

 

[merryman]

I wouldn't be with out 4X4. I seldom use it to get where I couldn't get with 2 wheel drive, but its sure nice to get back when you get stuck with the 2 wheel. Also, on a few occasions, wet grass has stopped me cold in 2 wheel; then you just pull the lever and keep going. Also, the 2Low feature is great for those times when you want to crawl over real rough stuff very slowly. Also great to use the 2low for backing trailers slowly and smoothly.



Vaughn

 

[klenger]

Evan A. Beck



4" isn't snow. When you get 18 - 30 inches in town, then you've got some snow.

 

[Archive]

Klenger... you are right! But the people around here can't handle that.



They park their truck at the bottom of hills, lock it up and walk away. They miss work over it. Its crazy.

 

[OILBRNR]

Rob is correct! It is nutty in Seattle. They'll even park 'um on the floating bridges and just walk away!! The whole place just folds up with anything approaching an inch. Well, maybe more than that, but not much.



Lived there for six years, last three in Maple Valley commuting in to Renton (PACCAR). Crazy drivers! Lots of CTDs though.



I'd agree with the comments above, if you haven't had a need to date, then don't order it. However, I think you'll get the cost of the option back out of it at resale, although not the cost in fuel to haul it around.

 

[MCummings]

One thing I learned after reading a bunch of four-wheel + off-road magazines is how 4x4 should be properly used when off-road.



The way I remeber it was, use 2wd to go everywhere, and when you get stuck, use 4wd to back out of the situation. (or however to get "un-stuck").



Don't use 4wd to go INTO the mud, use 4wd to get OUT of the mud. (snow, wet grass, whatever)



My opinion on whether or not to buy 4wd is.



If you haven't needed it on your 1500 truck.

You won't need it in your Cummins, especially if you get the LSD.



My Thoughts,



MerrickNJr

 

[Happy Camper]

Some who have snow experience can do well with 2wd but my choice is 4X4 and it is an individual choice. The 2wd will sit lower and not be a height problem on a 5vr. Others couldn't make it with a 6X6.

 

[CRuD]

I WOULD NOT OWN A 2X4 CTD. All that weight over the front axle makes it useless off the hard beaten path. I have locked in my 4x4 many a times due to the 2x4 not being able to move the truck where I wanted to go. I almost got stuck in my front yard after a rain strom.

If you go off road go with 4x4. Of course "COMMON SENSE" goes a long ways.

See Ya

Chris