why are so many buying 4x4 TV?

[Ozz]

Rich, I think it may be the extra weight, not sure.
I know I had to use the low gear 4x4 when backing into a tight banked space, here at the house when we returned from Havasu, it's on grass/dirt, Sue and remarked at the time that alone, made it worth the 4x4. Also in Santa Fe at a RV park in the hills, there was gravel, I had to engage it there to back into a space from across the road.
Get the 4x4 you will be glad you did.
Ozz

[Glenn and Lorraine]

Rich, I don't know where the 3 MPG less comes from as I haven't experienced that as yet. I have traveled the same roads as a 2WD friend of mine and the fuel mileage was negligible and I do mean NEGLIGIBLE. When I stopped for fuel he stopped for fuel. If I put in 20 gallons he put in 19.5. Now we were both using GMs, his a Silverado, mine a Sierra, both 2500HD with Duramax. His an 04, mine an 05. He had over 50,000 miles mine was 35,000. So where's the difference.
I can't imagine adding a Monty into the picture is going to make any significant difference.
And besides, it is darn near impossible to compare fuel mileage considering we all drive different from one and another. Even checking your own fuel mileage is difficult at best as there are just too many variables. Unless you drive with your foot in the throttle exactly the same with the exact same terrain (roads), with the exact same traffic conditions, the exact same weather conditions, etc there is no one out there that can truely notice 1 or 2 mpg difference. Now saying there is a 3 MPG difference in 2 different vehicles driven by 2 different drivers under 2 different conditions is, in my book, bogus info. As far as the MPG placed on the window stickers when these vehicles were new? (XX# city driving, XX# hiway driving) Has anyone ever achieved these kind of numbers?? I have seen a lot worse and a lot better.

It all comes down to what ols1932 pointed out....

quote:As for mileage, who cares? If you're into this lifestyle then it's just part of the living expense

[lwcdg]

Rich the 3 mpg difference is looking at the smaller gas vehicles and using that as a basis, atleast that's my thoughts. Also as you're looking at the Fords also remember that the GM, and Dodge are getting better mpg than the Ford right now. My mpg is right with Orv and others 9 - 11 towing (avg 10 normally) & 15 empty in town or on the interstate. So while I also look at the Fords I keep this in the back of my mind.

As to the thoughts that it is BS well again it was 2 GMs and maybe there is no difference when comparing GM (Glens' reply). I can guaranty there is a difference when comparing mpg in 4x4 GM gas to 2x4 GM gas 2x4 GM diesel all pulling horse trailers loaded. The 4x4 needed to stop twice as much as the 2x4. Just had this experience about a month ago.

So that's my 2 cents on the mpg thoughts
Thanks for the info ($) on what you're seeing.
Chuck

[richfaa]

Well I goggled around,"how stuff works" Etc and did some homework on 4X4's. We noted that MPG rating on 4X4's are taken in 2 wheel drive. It is also noted that the MPG is LESS when 4X4 is engaged which should only be on a "as needed basis and of course makes sense.Extra weight will always in some manner have a effect on MPG as any camper knows. There is also some confusion on the consumers part on the difference between 4 wheel drive and ALL wheel drive..two different things. Helen is now a fan of 4 wheel drive because she now likes to careen around in the desert thumping rocks.Anyhow..The average MPG on our V-10 is within 2MPG of the new Ford 6.4L(towing) so if we were to drop 2MPG with the 4X4 we would be even..... Thanks for the continued feedback.And....."As for mileage, who cares? If you're into this lifestyle then it's just part of the living expense" I agree with that quote in principle..however..after the fuel biils that came in on our 5 week 5K miles summer adventure...that lifestyle will have to change a bit..

[Eagle Man]

The reduction in mpg with a 4wd is due to weight and drag. It takes power to keep all that 4wd stuff moving even if it is not 'engaged.'

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by Eagle Man

The reduction in mpg with a 4wd is due to weight and drag. It takes power to keep all that 4wd stuff moving even if it is not 'engaged.'

Do you think it would be as much as 2 or 3MPG????

[Chuck and Carol]

I checked with Chuck to make sure of my facts and we get 15.2 not towing and lowest 9.8 towing. That was in the hills of PA.Coming over here to Ohio we got 10. something.

[Countryfolks]

We just got back from a short trip that we've been on many times. This truck, 3500 4x4, got about 10-10.5. The last one, an 04.5, 3500 2x4, got about 10.5-11. Part of the difference is the new one is a 4.1 diff and the old one a 3.73. We haven't had the new one long but it seems it may be getting about 1 mpg less than the old one overall.

Skip

[Eagle Man]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

Do you think it would be as much as 2 or 3MPG????

I wouldn't think it would be that much with a diesel.

[sreigle]

quote:Originally posted by lwcdg

OK,
I've had very few instances of needing a 4x4 with my '95 350 s

It's those "very few instances" that make it important to me. I don't think 4x4 is critical but it's sure nice when you need it. We've had times when heavy rains would have forced us to get someone else to pull us out of a site. Once I pulled on a shoulder for some reason or other and when leaving we were spinning both rear wheels. Switched to 4x4 and we were out of there in a jif. Also, when pulling the Montana up onto two or three or four inches of boards, you know how the engine has to rev up while the torque converter slips to get it up on the boards? Put the truck in 4x4 Low Range and put it in drive and let it idle up onto the boards. Much easier on the truck. We also like to explore back roads and areas that require 4x4.

Bottom line, is it necessary? No. Is it nice to have and perhaps will save you having to have someone else pull you out on rare occasions? Yep.

[Montana Sky]

For me the 4x4 is a must! While I have used it a time or two for the coach, I primarily need it for towing the livestock and horse trailers. It seems I always find myself in the field on soft ground after a days rain with 3 to 4 horses on board.

[ols1932]

I don't believe that we can make the statement that there is a 2-3 mpg drop in mileage with a 4x4 vs 2x2 when many of us experience NO drop in mileage.

Orv

[Sunshine]

2006 F350 Super Duty, 4x4, crew cab - 20+ mpg not towing; 12-14 mpg towing. Obviously these figures are +/- depending on conditions. Insurance doesn't cost us $2000 a year for the truck - a little over $800, but that depends on where you live, driving record, insurance company, etc. etc., etc. Same bottom line - you need to go with what works for you and what you can afford.

[sreigle]

Skip, your numbers are similar to mine. Best I've got towing so far is 11.6 (for a day of towing). Most times it is in the 10.5 to 11.0 range. 11,500 miles on the truck. 3,600 of that towing.

If there is a mpg penalty for 4x4 during normal 2-wheel drive highway use it's so miniscule I don't notice it. I guess the additional weight penalty that would affect mileage would be about like adding a grade school passenger to a 2 wheel drive truck. I can't tell the mpg difference there, either.

[Countryfolks]

Steve- Best I got with the 04.5 was about 13.1, must have had a tail wind. Worst was 8.9. Do you have a 4.1 or 3.73?

Skip

[Jim Jarvis]

I can't believe this but I even got stuck this past weekend with my 4X4. All 4 wheels spinning. Parked in grass with rain falling, Big Sky sunk in pretty good but was still able to tow. Rain continued all night and when it cam time to leave, well, there was a delay as I had to get the 4X4 unstuck. Worse, this is the second time this year. I've driven a 4X4 for quite a few years and never thought I'd see one stuck like this. I have new AT tires but obviously not enough tread.

[Ozz]

Jim, the added traction sometimes just get us further out in the mud before we get stuck..........

[Jim Jarvis]

Good point ozz. I had to use those orange things for levelling under the wheels to gain some traction. Once I got moving I foolishly stopped for the levelers and was stuck again. Next time there was no stopping til I hit the pave.

[Ozz]

Ha! At least you got out in one piece.
Sue and I were on the Beach on South Padre last Winter, I will not fib to you, I had a few..., so I told her, lets go up to the Mansfield Cut!!!!, Well she had a few as well, and agreed. We drove the 26 miles up the beach, saw the shipwreck, nude beach, a couple, nude, back in the dunes, drove back to say hi..., as we finally got to within sight of the cut, I suddenly slowed to a stop. Now this would worry a sober, strike that, a sensible person, we laughed and said, well, this will be another adventure we will reflect on. We dug out with some boards I had in the back, let some more air out of the tires, and after 15 or 20 minutes we were headed back. No one in sight for miles and miles. No cell service, no ice and out of beer. But hey, we made it!
The picture on my sig. on the beach, was that day. Great times..
Here is another the same day, the same driftwood tree in the sig, maybe it’s still there..
Ozz

[Ozz]

My apologies the original poster, but it does go to the question of the 4x4.....