Choosing 2wd or 4wd and Other Options

[rloos]

I have decided to purchase a Dodge CTD 2500 SWB ETH/DEE, but am struggling with the 2wd or 4wd question. I have searched on this subject already, but am looking for a little more information. Is the ride on a 2wd SWB markedly better than that of the 4wd SWB? Does the Camper Package degrade the ride much? What can I expect regarding mileage difference between the two? Does the 2wd handle much better than the 4wd? Is the LSD worth it on either truck?



I am purchasing this vehicle to tow (Travel Trailer - 5000 Lbs empty), since my 97 T100 has rather limited capabilities in this area. I live in Western Washington state, so my truck sees little snow but a lot of rain. I do not off road, but do travel on the occasional logging road to go fishing or camping (6x a year). It will be a commuter car 95% of the time.



Thanks for your input,



Ron

 

[klenger]

I struggled with the same question a couple of mounths ago. The dealer had two trucks, almost identically equipped. One was 2WD and the other was 4WD. I like the idea of the 2WD because of lower cost, better milage, lower bed height for 5er, and lower height for entry. I think that they also look better (personal preference). I have owned enough 4WD vehicles to get past the "gota have it because it's cool". I finally decided to get the 4WD because of the very poor performance in the snow in 2WD because of all the weight on the front axle, and becasue I wanted to be able to tow the camper year around. I decided that one accident would be enough to wipe out all of the reasons for getting the 2WD. In your case, since you don't expect to drive in snow, the 2WD may work.



Check this thread for the comments I got from my post.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25098



Good luck. Research lots, buy once.

 

[Un-Hemi]

Welcome, Ron.



2WD trucks are in the minority here. They do ride smoother than the 4WDs and generally get better mileage. They are much easier to get in and out of. I have the camper package and tow package on my truck and consider them to be worthy options. LSD should be STANDARD EQUIPMENT! (I thought it was!) If I were able to buy the truck new, I would get leather.



I suggest that you drive both a 2WD and a 4WD and decide for yourself. I also suggest that you try a LWB 2WD just for fun. IMHO, it will make a more stable towing platform. Unless you are driving and parking in downtown Seattle, the extra length shouldn't be much of a factor. BTW, the 2WD LWB has a pretty good turning radius.

 

[rloos]

2wd or 4wd

Thanks for the info so far guys.



Klenger, I checked out the link, thanks. I am currently leaning towards the 2wd. I have had a 4wd for the past 20 years or so, and have used it maybe 7 days out of a year. It IS hard to give up the capability, though.



Tom, you hit it on the head with the LWB, I do have to navigate Eastside and Seattle traffic/parking daily. My biggest hangup though on the LWB is that it won't fit my garage!



It is also next to impossible to find a 2wd in the Northwest. If I go that way I'll have to order it or pick one up in Cal or AZ.



Ron

 

[ReggieRam]

4x4 All the Way!

Just my thoughts from a guy who has had both 2x and 4x trucks: I would never even consider driving a 2x truck again! I'm not a guy that does a ton of off roading or anything, but I will now and then get into a sticky situation, and being able to hit 4x4 when I need it is a true blessing. It doesn't snow often here in New Mex where I live, but on those rare occasions when it does, all my friends that drive 2 wheel drive trucks are heading down to Home Depot to buy bags of cement to put over the rear axle. No thanks! All the weight of these trucks is over the front wheels, and any time that the road gets even a little slippery, the back wheels can get a bit loose. I've hit black ice in the middle of nowhere, been in the middle of a 40 MPH sideways wild ride, hit 4x4 in the middle of it, and instantly regained traction while those around me were spinning out of control. In my old 2x, I've lost traction while launching my boat. There is nothing more embarassing than sitting at the bottom of a ramp in a full size truck while little toyotas are driving by offering to pull you out of trouble.



On the financial side, just like buying a diesel itself, having a 4x4 greatly increases the resale value of the truck, not to mention that it is probably a lot easier to unload a 4x4 truck wen you want to. If ride quality is an issue, then you could probably run some Rancho 9000's and run 'em loose for everyday driving, and then tighten them up when you tow or throw the camper on there.



Just my $. 02 and then some

 

[FourBarR]

2wd or 4wd?

i have a 2wd 98. 5 qcab long box . now has 110000 mi. i would not trade it for anything . rides and handles like a car. fuel mileage per imperial gallon summer 26to28 winter 24 to26. no ball joint yet . original tires lasted 85000. mi. you got to love it. same problem here most trucks are four wd. i had to order mine.

 

[MikeR]

If you don't off-road (and I mean where you really need 4wd), then I don't see the point of getting a 4wd. 95% commuter and the main intent is to tow, only reinforces the 2wd choice. Besides, this area just shuts down and nobody drives anywhere during the two (non-consecutive) days of snow we get. Last winter I drove over Snoqualmie pass with no problems in my wife's 2wd,and I also stay in 2wd with my 4x4 over the pass. The fuel mileage is incredible with a 2wd!



Limited Slip however is a must. The traction simply sucks without it. We've got one of each, so if you wanna test drive 'em just email me.



-Mike

 

[FAllen]

2WD or 4WD

Hi Ron !



I have the 2WD SWB Quad Cab and tow a 27 ft 5er. It rides fine and I'm very happy with it.



The SWB QC is 18-1/2 feet which seems to be about the max parking length in lots and downtown areas around here anyway.



I had a pickup and camper years ago out in the North West that was 2WD, the camper was 2200 pounds.



I found out that when you put a ton of weight over the drive axle you can pretty much go wherever you want.



HTH



Fred

 

[Double 6]

I ordered mine, (see sig. ) whatever you decide to get you need these items on it Trailer Towing Mirrors, Trailer Towing Package, Camper Group, and the Clearance Lights are a gotta have!!!

I like mine so far, 24356 miles, no troubles and 18-21 MPG.

 

[rloos]

2wd vs 4wd

Mike, you understand my dilemna here. Do you have a favorite Seattle area dealer? I've gotten a quote from Frontier Dodge up in Burlington; they seem pretty straight. I also agree that a LSD is a must.



Fred, that's great info on the traction with a camper. Another plus with 2wd is that I gain 420 lbs. in payload.



Double6, are the towing mirrors much wider than the standard ones when in their smaller position.



Thanks for all of the advice.



Ron

 

[Double 6]

rloos,

I know the Tow mirrors are wider than standard but not sure of how many inches wider they are as it was never a concern. I measured my Tow mirrors and from the glass on side window to outside edge of mirror is 15 inches. Hope this helps. D6

 

[rloos]

Mirror width

Cool, Thanks Double6. I have a two car garage with a large post in the middle. Any Dodge pickup is pretty big; it would really annoy me if a bought one and I'd have to leave that pretty new truck outside all of the time!



Ron

 

[tgbol]

I went for the 4x4 not because I am an off roader but I am an off highway truck user. I have been saved by 4x4 more than once. Whether it is on back road in the desert or on a beach in Baja, or just a trip to the mountain cabin I have a peace of mind with 4x4 available. Besides my Dodge I also have a Jeep Cherokee and a Comanche both 4x4.

 

[klenger]

Rloos



I measured the width of the truck with towing mirrors with then in the normal position and extended. With the mirrors in, the total width is 8' 4". With them extended, the total width is about 9' 0". Does your garage have two 8' doors with a post between the doors, or a 16' door with the post in the interior of the garage? The truck with the towing mirrors in the "in" position will not clear an 8' door unless you fold one or both of them in. No problems with a 16' door. IMHO, the towing mirrors are great. I wish they were power adjustable, and I've heard that that's in the works now. Even so, I wouldn't trade them for the small power/heated ones.



Ken Lenger

 

[Ted Constantine]

I have had this discussion with a number of people. I have alway thought that if I was to buy a dedicated towing vehicle it would be a 2wd 3500. But every one, even a friend in Mass that tows a 20k trailer said that the first time you need 4wd it pays for itself. I can't count the number of times in the last 3 years that I simply could not have left the house if I had a 2wd. I guess it really depends on where you live, the kind of roads you drive, etc but the 4wd is an insurance that I am not willing to give up.



BTW-if you really what economy drive a hybrid car day to day and have a beater pickup for when it is needed



Ted

 

[fj40charles]

The one time you get stuck because you don't have a 4WD truck you'll realize that you should have gotten the option. Also, there has been numerous times when I've encounter snow/ice/mud while towing and it is a good feeling knowing you'll be getting traction.



My 2 pesos...



Charles

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

My neighbor and I have the same truck except for mine is a 4x4 and his is a 2x4. He gets around 18 mpg per tank, I get 13 mpg per tank. I do have to admit a heavy foot problem. I went with the 4x4 because I live in desert and own a ranch. I pull it back 4 or 5 times a week. It is very nice to have when you need it... jmho

 

[VicR]

Just my thoughts: I went back and forth on getting a 2 or 4 for about a year before buying my truck. I knew I was only going to use it as a camper hauler and big car (I have another vehicle for the 2 or 3 days it actually snows on the valley floor or if I want to go into the hills).



Do you have a short significant other? Mine is only 5' 1", and even with steps the 4wd was a little to high for her to be comfortable getting in and out in a skirt, etc.



Another thought: I have manual jacks on the camper and raising it as high as I do is high enough. The added 3-4 inches on a 4wd would mean I was doing all of the jacking myself because of the height impared significant other.



Probably the biggest factor on my getting a 2wd is that, at least around here, you can really deal on them. The local dealers always seem to order at least one or two 2wds a year for some reason, and then they have a really hard time selling them. So you can really deal on them, especially in the winter. My 99 6speed was delivered in July of 99 and sat on the lot until I bought it in Feb of 00. In all that time, it only accumulated 11 miles. Made the dealer a really low ball offer on it (and at that time, 6 speeds were still really hard to get) and I got it a little below thier cost, dealer cash and rebates, etc included.



Now of course, I would pay for that good deal if I ever went to sell it around here because again, nobody wants a 2wd around here. But I typically keep a vehicle until it just can't be kept any more (I still have my first car), so resale wasn't a factor for me.



Its not the truck I would want to have if it was my only vehicle or if I had to use it for work, etc. But for my use its perfect.



What you might want to do is try some dealers online inventory through the dodge site and see if anyone has a 2001 2wd you like still sitting on the lot. You might be able to cut yourself a pretty good deal.



-Vic

 

[Big K]

Dealer Referral

Ron

If you would consider coming further south than Seattle, e-mail me for a referral to a dealer that I've purchased from. As far as my 2 vs. 4 opinion, I'm too biased.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I for one wouldn't be without 4wd. Two of my big considerations are snow and off roading. However, even if I didn't have either of those considerations for any truck I'm going to use for towing a camper (or boat) I'd want 4wd. At the first GLTDR get together which we held at my house I had two guys camped in my yard. It had been dry for weeks before the event, we got a downpour the night before the event. Both of the guys had 2wd drive trucks pulling trailers and I had to use my 4wd and a tow strap to get them out of the yard. They just couldn't get enough traction in 2wd to get off the wet grass. Another time I was staying with another GLTDR member in his 5er in a campground and he couldn't pull the trailer off the site either, we had another member that had 4wd and a 5er hitch in his truck and we hooked him up to it and got it out no problem. So unless you plan on only camping at campgrounds on gravel lots or with cement pads to pull onto I'd highly recommend 4wd. In this one summer alone I've had to use 4wd twice to get my camper out of a campsite. JMHO