2x4 or 4x4?

[traveldawg]

I plan to get a 1 ton SRW, CC with intentions of pulling a (yet to be ordered) 3121RL w.Legacy option.

I would prefer a 2x4 as I really don't need a 4x4 (living in FL and only traveling during summer months in norther states & CA. the 2x4 is a but lighter (more payload), and the bed rails are a bit lower.

The 4x4 is probably a better resale item.

Input and comments are welcome. Thanks.

[1retired06]

4x4 always for us. Muddy campgrounds can be tricky.

[AZ Traveler]

There is no right or wrong answer - it is a personal choice. It depends on where you live and do you ever get off the pavement.

We have 4WD and live in a warm climate but travel in the mountains with snow and definitely get off road a fair amount.

[rohrmann]

I fully intended on getting a 4 X 2 when we bought our truck, but we ended up with a 4 X 4, and have never regretted it, as it has gotten us out of difficult situations quite a few times. We've been in muddy campgrounds, on gravel roads that the 4WD was able to keep us moving without losing traction on a steep section of road, and of course, we've been in winter conditions with snow on the ground, not towing the rig, but still needed the extra traction. And there really isn't much if any difference in bed height between 4WD and 2WD.

[BB_TX]

I have 4x4 primarily because it is difficult to find 4x2 in the upper trim levels on any dealer lot. I have never used 4 wheel drive at any time when towing. BUT. We always stay on pavement, never boondock. We stay at RV parks with paved, graveled, or firmly packed native soil. And only rarely on grass that was also on firmly packed soil and well drained.

We don't have much snow/ice in this area. I don't always use 4x4 when we do. On black or glaze ice, the truck is easier to control with 4x2 than 4x4. I have used the 4x4 several times getting in/out of a muddy pasture to our hunting cabin. And in muddy pasture on some land I used to own. Welcome feature in those events.

[TLightning]

On my seventh pick up, always 2x4, with a little prior planning and common sense, I've never needed a 4x4. It's a myth that you can't sell a 2x4.

[fatcatzzz]

Bought my first 4x4 in 1978. Would not be without it. I have drove 2x4's also. Resale value is much higher with the 4x4. But I have to say you should BUY the one you want, after all you are the one paying the price.

[mjammersc]

It all comes down to choice and where you'll camp. I've needed my 4x4 in state parks a couple times due to sandy sites or wet/muddy sites. If you stay in resort type sites, it is a low chance you'll need it.

[BuilderBob]

Have always had a 4x4 and wound't be with out! we have been in places were it is so muddy in the winter time you wound't get in or out with out it in Washington St. But it
more about what you want not what others think.

Bob & Carol
Washington St
2017 352RL
2008 Dodge DRW crew cab 4x4 LB 6.7L

[mtlakejim]

Well as others have said it is a personal choice. This isn't the first time a thread has been started on the subject for sure and everyone has a different thought on the matter.
My thought is I don't want to have ANY question that I have plenty of Tow Vehicle to safely pull and more importantly STOP my 5th wheel and in the event that I am in a difficult situation have the equipment to safely get out of danger. We have multiple vehicles and bought our truck primarily for towing heavy loads. We also like to kayak and own property so there are occasions when 4x4 might get us out of a bind (prime example was recent trip to Buffalo River where we would have been stranded on a gravel bar save for being able to shift into 4x4). For us a 4x4 dual rear wheel long bed diesel 1 ton was the only way to go.


The wife has a car that we expect to trade in for a 1/2 ton 4x4 crew cab pickup before long. We are simply pickup people. The wife has absolutely no problem driving a pickup truck and we really haven't had any major issues with parking. If you don't live in San Francisco and have to drive there every day (and who would do that if your full time in a 5th wheel?), I really don't understand where all the fuss about parking a truck comes from?


My bottom line is buy more truck than you think you need not less! At trade in time, that 4x4 will be worth more and there really aren't any negatives to having it. I will also add that I have worked for two major companies and their leasing companies would only buy 4x4 period. The fleet managers repeatedly told us that 4x4s had such a significantly higher resale that it made no sense at all to buy 2x4s. That is the advice of folks that buy thousands of trucks!!!

[WeBeFulltime]

My previous truck was 4 x 4 and didn't need it for 7 years. Current truck is 4 x 2 and haven't needed it for 3 years. Friends asked what I will do when I get up and there is snow on the ground and I tell them I just pour another cup of coffee and watch them drive off to work.

[JetMech]

WeI have a couple of friends in our camping club that own Dodge's, same year and size, one 4x4 and one 2x4. Their RV's were very similar in weight and size. Believe it or not, the 4x4 got consistently 3 miles per gallon BETTER fuel mileage. We discussed this for months, only to come to the conclusion that the 4x4 had a different differential gearing setup and as long as he kept it OUT of four wheel drive, he would get the better mileage. The turning radius was slightly better on the 2x4.

JetMech

[vipermanden]

I live up in Tahoe, where there is frequent ice and snow, and we don't tow the 5th wheel in these conditions, but I like the idea of getting out of a sticky situation and having the option of 4 X 4. But I will tell you this, using the one ton dually in 4 X 4 in ice and snow is not a sure thing, because of the lack of weight on all that tire surface in the rear end. It is quite squirrely. I prefer to get around town when it is icy in my wife's little Buick Encore that has AWD and studded snow tires!

[mlh]

I know a guy that has a 1/2 ton Chevy. He pulls a small camper and gets 20 MPG. Funny thing the guy that owned the truck before ham got 10 pulling a small camper. I never ask about fuel mileage and don’t believe it when someone tells me.
Lynwood

[vipermanden]

I know MLH, you are correct. I get about 8-11 mpg pulling my Montana around in my truck with the 4:10 rear end. It really depends on which way the wind is blowing that day, or if you are on a long climb or descent going to your destination. Here is a bit of trivia for you. I usually get around 10 mpg in my Viper, and only about 4-6 mpg if I get on it, but if I really want to, on a long trip, I can get 20 mpg if I put it in 6th gear and just go about 70 mph. It is only doing around 1,300 rpm at that speed. :-) I can cruise at 2,000 rpm going 102 mph if i have it in 6th gear!! :-)

[mtlakejim]

We are towing monster 5th wheels. Should we really be concerned about the fuel mileage? What is vastly more important is, can you stop that monster in a hurry when you need too and can you get it to the top of the mountain without holding up two states worth of traffic?


I fail to see the logic of having 100K plus worth of rolling investment and worrying about 1 or 2 mpg.....


Get the 4x4 and stop fretting over it. You will get your money back plus some when you trade it in and in the meantime IF you ever need it there it is!

[hrlyrdr]

I am looking for a 3500 duramax. A guy had a really good deal on a 2013 2 wheel drive. I passed on the truck because I thought it best to keep a 4x4 [I have a 2011 2500hd 4x4]. I cannot find another truck within 10k of what I could have got that truck for. So do I [or you] need a 4x4? Dang good question. I looked at a new 4x4 work truck dually today.. makes me want the LTZ so bad.......

[traveldawg]

Thanks everyone. I've decided on a 4x4. I've had both.

The 4x2 wasn't the most desirable resale vehicle when trying to sell it myself so I traded it. It was interesting how many folks really wanted a 4x4 for no particular reason other than they 'just wanted one'. Go figure.... Still it can be a good choice for folks.

I only used the 4x4 functionality a few times in campgrounds; it was helpful although not necessarily mandatory. I used it whenever on gravel, dirts, etc. to exercise it. I get to the mountains enough and go enough dirt/gravel/clay/yukie roads enough that it will provide a good peace of mind.

[CaptnJohn]

Have had a 4x4 truck since 1976. Rarely need it today. Not sure what would have happened recently on wet asphalt when the rear wheels started slipping up a very steep CG entrance. It would not have been pretty.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by hrlyrdr

I am looking for a 3500 duramax. A guy had a really good deal on a 2013 2 wheel drive. I passed on the truck because I thought it best to keep a 4x4 [I have a 2011 2500hd 4x4]. I cannot find another truck within 10k of what I could have got that truck for. So do I [or you] need a 4x4? Dang good question. I looked at a new 4x4 work truck dually today.. makes me want the LTZ so bad.......

There is a very good reason why that 2x4 was 10K less than other trucks. Like I said resale value is much higher on the 4x4. Not just me talking either that comes from two separate major companies fleet managers and those guys had bought and sold THOUSANDS of trucks!