Undecided about 2wd vs 4wd

[nopaymentdue]

Hi, I'm Janet and we're wondering about 2wd vs.4wd. We're considering buying a 2006 Dodge diesel 2wd, but we've never had a 4wd. Don't know what the pros and cons are about gas mileage etc. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Road Dog]

You'll use more fuel with a 4WD whether it's engaged or not. One big advantage of 4WD is ground clearance. Most of the interesting places to go around here are at the end of logging roads so having some room under the truck keeps it off the rocks. Plus you can do an oil change without ramps or jacks. One big disadvantage of 4WD is truck height. The door sill is further off the ground so it's harder to climb into and the cab is higher which keeps you out of some parking lots.

I use 4WD when it's snowing (even on pavement, even on the highway at 60mph) and it's much better than 2WD.

 

[sluper]

I too had never had or needed a 4 X 4 but got one this time and have already needed to use it. personally would not go back to the 2 WD. JMHO.

 

[nopaymentdue]

You'll use more fuel with a 4WD whether it's engaged or not. One big advantage of 4WD is ground clearance. Most of the interesting places to go around here are at the end of logging roads so having some room under the truck keeps it off the rocks. Plus you can do an oil change without ramps or jacks. One big disadvantage of 4WD is truck height. The door sill is further off the ground so it's harder to climb into and the cab is higher which keeps you out of some parking lots.

I use 4WD when it's snowing (even on pavement, even on the highway at 60mph) and it's much better than 2WD.

Do you have any idea how many mpg difference with 2wd vs 4wd. Also is the weight really 1,000 lb. difference for 4wd as we've been told.

 

[nopaymentdue]

Do you know how many mpg difference there is between the 2wd and 4wd? Also, is it correct that there is a 1,000lb. diff. between the two? Thanks so much.

 

[nopaymentdue]

Hi Scott, I'm Janet. We are first time trailer owners and are wondering what the diff. in mpg is between 2wd and 4wd. Also, is it true that 4wd is 1000 lb. heavier than 2wd? Thanks very much.

 

[mwilson]

Janet,

I have never owned a 2WD Ram of any kind so I can not advise on fuel mileage or weight differences.

I can tell you that I would walk past an entire row of 2WD trucks to find a 4WD. Living where I do it is a necessity if you plan to use the truck in the winter or go off of the pavement at all. The extra weight of the Cummins engine is a real issue on soft ground and causes the front to sink quickly. Without a driving front axle to help you a tow is the only cure when the front tires drop into soft stuff.
I don't know what kind of travel you have in mind or what type of campsites you will be using. Most campgrounds in the Northeast have pavement for access roads but only a gravel pad surrounded by grass for the trailer. I have seen many 2WD trucks struggle placing trailers as they either spin or are geared too high for close quarters maneuvering or towing that kind of weight across a grass covered area.

A 4WD truck has a low range which is very handy in soft ground or hard pulls.

I would not hesitate to tow my trailer cross country with my 4WD and would not give the weight or the slight difference in fuel mileage a single thought.

That is just my opinion and more will give theirs. Good luck with whatever you choose!!!

Mike.

 

[RustyJC]

I've towed 5th wheels with 2WD Ram 3500 duallies since 1996. I've never been stuck nor been in a position where I really needed 4WD, but then again I don't tow in ice/snow or into remote offroad locations. 2WD trucks offer a number of advantages for 5th wheel towing (lower bed rail height, better aerodynamics, reduced mechanical drag, better fuel mileage, better ride and handling for independent front suspension trucks like mine, no "death wobble" problems.)

It all depends on your particular needs. Some wouldn't be without 4WD. I've never needed nor wanted 4WD. Different strokes for different folks.

Rusty

 

[mwilson]

Also depends on what part of the country you live in.

You can use that to your advantage, for example shop for a 2WD in the Northeast and shop for a 4WD in the southern states......

My uncle buys all of his used 4WD 1 tons in Florida as there simply less demand for them in that area, less popular = less money.........

 

[Road Dog]

Do you know how many mpg difference there is between the 2wd and 4wd? Also, is it correct that there is a 1,000lb. diff. between the two? Thanks so much.

I think the EPA web site lists the fuel economy of all the different engine/drivetrain combinations. I've never owned a 2WD truck. Then again, I've gone into recreation sites and cabins that require winching to get out even with 4WD.

 

[The patriot]

I'd guess it to be 1-2 mpg's. difference. I dont think the EPA lists MPG's for 3/4 ton and up.

My Dad had a 1st gen d-350 (2 wh dr) and he got FANTASTIC MPG's. 22-24 were norm.
OTOH he drove it as if it was the last running vehicle on earth.:laf:


Edit: Now that I think of it, he also had a D-250. Both were 2 wheel drive and both were Get-rags.(5 speed stick)

 

[rynosback]

I bought a new 4x2 as it was $3500 less and I will get better millage with out it. But I'm also just using it mainly to tow our 5th wheel. So no off roading or winters for the truck. I gues it depends on your needs and how you plan on driving it.

 

[mfurrh55]

I live in Tx. and i wouldn't be without a 4X4, i travel the northwest year round and have had to use 4X4 many times, Hence me just buying a 4X4 jeep trailhawk for the wife, it gets 23 mpg, 2 wheel would probably get 24 or 25, but i would sacrifice couple mpg for peace of mind, JMO, Monte

 

[BIGNASTY]

My Question back to you is " Do you really need a 4x4? " if not that pretty much solves your question. Living in MT I thought about a 4x4 Dodge when I bought my O4 Dodge. (I was not retired and living in Calif at the time) I went ahead and bought the 04 as 2x4 and have had no problems with the snow in MT now that we retired and moved here permanently.

I have bought a Toyota Tocoma 4x4 so I don't start the Dodge and use it for short trips ( JMO But I don't think short drives are good for Diesels)

So with that said YES!! I do like the 4x4 in the snow, I feel much more in control. NO!! I don't wish that I would have got the Dodge in 4x4 lots of things posted on this site that has made me happy about that decision.

If you use it and feel that you need it BY ALL MEANS GO FOR IT, I don't drive off road so I don't need it. I drive all Winter and have never gotten stuck because of the snow in my 2x4 common sense is a BIG Factor in people getting stuck, I have driven when most rational thinking people would have just stayed home and done without what ever it was that they felt the need to go out for.


BIG

PS: I don't worry about fuel mileage. It is what it is none are that good.

 

[BigPapa]

As stated above, it really depends on your needs. If you EVER need to take your truck off the road, I would suggest the 4X4. I had never owned a 4X4 when I bought my '95 Ram in 2001 and really saw no need for it. I had never been stuck in my gas trucks when driving around the pasture or in the yard. It may have been the 2nd time I pulled the '95 into the yard, I had to get my father to pull me out. Since then, I've been stuck on the wet grass 1/2 a dozen times. In snow and ice it's absolutely worthless. The front end is just too heavy. We bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee for my wife a few years back and the difference was amazing off road and in the snow and ice.

That said, if I had it to do over again, I'd have bought a 4X4. If I knew I would never have it off the pavement or gravel, or in the snow and ice, the 2X4 has advantages already mentioned above. The only one I didn't see is lower maintenance for the 2X4 with 5 fewer u-joints, 1 less drive axle, no track bar, and no transfer case.

Just my $.02.

 

[jgillott]

Also depends on what part of the country you live in.

You can use that to your advantage, for example shop for a 2WD in the Northeast and shop for a 4WD in the southern states......

My uncle buys all of his used 4WD 1 tons in Florida as there simply less demand for them in that area, less popular = less money.........

Very good point. There is a new 3500 SRW 2x4 sitting on the lot at one of our local dealers right now that they are practically giving away at this point. It showed up last fall and has sat on the lot since. Someone from down south could probably have a heck of deal on it.

 

[rynosback]

Very good point. There is a new 3500 SRW 2x4 sitting on the lot at one of our local dealers right now that they are practically giving away at this point. It showed up last fall and has sat on the lot since. Someone from down south could probably have a heck of deal on it.

A lot of dealers order a base truck as there ad car. So they can advertize at the lowest price. People then up sell them selves.

 

[Mingoglia]

I honestly don't think modern drivetrains with their limited loss really make much of a difference anymore. About all your looking at is a bit more weight, which in a 4-ton+ truck, what's another 500 or so pounds? Plus, if you ever sell your truck you'll not only sell it faster, but will likely get back any savings in fuel over the duration of owning it in the resale value. 2wd trucks really have a limited market and certainly take longer to sell.

I bought an Expendition back in the late 90's from a Hertz dealership where they sell their used rental cars. I asked why they were all 4wd when it's against the rental agreement to drive off road. They told me it was solely based on resale value, and how fast they could turn around the old inventory to make room for new inventory.

With as light (relatively speaking) the rear is compared to the front of our trucks, if you go anywhere near slippery conditions it's just good piece of mind.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I bought a new 4x2 as it was $3500 less and I will get better millage with out it. But I'm also just using it mainly to tow our 5th wheel. So no off roading or winters for the truck. I gues it depends on your needs and how you plan on driving it.

The only advantage with the 13 and newer 2wd trucks for mileage would be the weight of the transfer case and front diff. The 4wd trucks now are free wheeling and cause no drag.

 

[Cummins12V98]

For me the reasons for having the 4wd for one is resale. MUCH easier to sell.

When backing your RV up a steep hill or running it up on blocks 4low is great! Much less stress on the trans.

Once in a while we will hit snow on the Siskyous in Northern CA.

The best one for an example is this story. This last winter I was sitting in our RV probably scanning TDR and I get a call from my wife all in a panic. She was on the way back to our RV from a day shopping in Palm Springs. It was almost dark out. She said "I am stuck" ! She explained that the GPS told her to turn on a road a couple miles from where we were camped. It had told me the same thing a couple days earlier. I knew not to go down that road as it did not go all the way thru. She had gone past the paved road and onto gravel she could see on the GPS she was very close to camp so she kept going. The road turned into loose gravel and sand. She was dug in! So I told her how to put in 4wd. She did and tried to drive out but no go!. So I explained how to put in 4low. She did and drove right out no problem. She turned around and I said to stop and re engage 4hi she said "no way not until I hit pavement"!

So for me just that one time was well worth having 4wd.

Another time were traveling in a remote area North of Indio, CA going to the Painted canyons and the gravel road turned to loose sand and the truck started bogging down so I hit 4wd and drove on. I would have been stuck with 2wd for sure. It was a hot day with no cell service.