4 x 2 or 4 x 4 - Montana Owners Club

Lady RV · 02-09-2010, 05:44 AM

Which kind of vehicle do you use to pull your Montana?

Lady RV · 02-09-2010, 05:57 AM

To those of you who posted on the other poll that was published earlier we apologize as we were experiencing technical difficulties and had to delete the original.

maphillips · 02-09-2010, 04:01 PM

4X4 2010 F-350 6.4 SRW. Don't use the 4wheel drive alot but it's sure nice to have when you need it.

washley1 · 02-09-2010, 05:32 PM

You know, I have had my truck for 16 months now, and I don't even know if the 4 wheel drive works. I have never thrown the switch. But I would not leave home without it! There will come a day when I need the 4X to get that rig out of a camp site that's gotten too waterlogged.

RickW · 02-10-2010, 04:04 AM

Uh.... neither .....

I went the HDT route for many different reasons, but if I was in the market for a new pickup it would be 4x4. While the 4x4 is not a feature I would use but maybe once a year, I do feel it would be well worth the expense if ever in a situation where it was needed.

boylanag · 02-10-2010, 04:23 AM

Just brought home our 2005 Ford F250 FX4 PSD 6.0. We had less for years and always wanted the 4X4 because we have been trapped in wet sites before.

H. John Kohl · 02-10-2010, 06:02 AM

I use the 4x4 low range with when backing up. It cuts the back up idle speed from 5 to 2.5 mph. Remember I am manual so I like to have the clutch fully engaged. Have used the 4x4 a couple times other than backing. As others have stated it is nice having the option if needed.

indy roadrunner · 02-10-2010, 09:28 AM

Saved by behind when at St Andrews and backed off the main road into sand and the rear wheels buried. Front wheels still on pavement. Another time while trying to back uphill into a site and the rear wheels begin to spin - punched in 4 wheel and backed as if there was no hill. Yep I would do it again.

kdeiss · 02-10-2010, 10:02 AM

Used 4X4 a few weeks back backing in to site in the sand.
In 1975 I said I would never own a 2 Wheel Drive pickup again

mojavemike · 02-10-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by washley1

You know, I have had my truck for 16 months now, and I don't even know if the 4 wheel drive works. I have never thrown the switch. But I would not leave home without it! There will come a day when I need the 4X to get that rig out of a camp site that's gotten too waterlogged.

I think it would be wise to give the 4x4 a little exercise periodically on a dirt road just to keep things lubed and know that it will work when needed. I think you have hubs on yours. All my parts turn all the time. Wish I had hubs but after market are $$$$$$. just my $.02

rames14 · 02-10-2010, 03:16 PM

Haven't used the 4x4 since this morning. We got a foot of snow and it's nice to have it before the snow plow comes through. Not everyone is in Florida or Texas.

clutch · 02-10-2010, 05:01 PM

I have used two wheel drive trucks in the past and have been stuck several times. I have never been stuck with a 4x4. I do put it in four wheel drive at times just to keep everything lubed. I am thinking about getting a kit so I can use two wheel lo. That would be a nice feature to have.

NASCARon · 02-11-2010, 12:31 AM

Like others have said, we used to pull with a 4x2 and have been stuck on level ground in wet grass trying to pull the Montana. We will always have 4x4.

richfaa · 02-11-2010, 02:23 AM

Had the 05 F-350 2X4. It did not fare well careening around the AZ desert rock hunting. Went with the 4X4 in the 08. Have used it several times in mud at fairgrounds.

sreigle · 02-11-2010, 06:48 AM

Awhile back I had to pull our Montana up onto a stack of leveling blocks, three blocks high. They were "stepped" so not damaging to the tires but a long ways up nonetheless. I put the Dodge in 4x4 Low Range and let it just idle the Montana up onto the blocks. Our neighbor came over later and started asking about the Dodge and whether it is chipped, etc. He mentioned how impressed he was the Cummins pulled all that weight up onto those blocks with the engine just idling. Since he was driving a competing brand I didn't tell him the low range is what does that. I've done the same thing with the Ford 4x4's we've had in the past and I'm sure GM would do the same in low range. I figure using low range makes it easier on the torque converter and maybe the engine and transmission, too.

Berry Patch · 02-11-2010, 07:29 AM

I now have the 4X4 but previously had thee 2X4. I concur with all the advantages of having a 4X4. After having a hard time finding a buyer for my used 2X4, I know there are more prospects wanting the 4X4's. This is a good reason to buy the 4X4.

Art-n-Marge · 02-11-2010, 09:22 AM

I had a 4x2 Ford Expedition and we drove on a long vacation. In the middle of it all I stopped by a drivethrough oil change truck place to have the oil changed as required by the mileage interval. The place was huge and set up so that a semi truck could drive right up on the supports and get serviced underneath, but they also serviced cars as well so I drove up on the bay as directed.

After driving in and getting out to pay for the service with the service manager behind the counter, the young service guy rushed in and asked me, "What happened to your truck?". Puzzled, I asked him to explain why he thought there was something wrong. He said I was missing the front gear box. The guy behind the desk laughed and said, "He's from California, they don't have those down there, cuz they don't go anywhere that needs them". Touche, he was sorta right. I didn't ski or go muddin' so I didn't need it and any snow trips were done when the weather was good and I had chains just in case (In all those years I only needed the chains once for about 5 miles).

Now with towing a trailer, I went the 4x4 route and have needed it at least 3 times and it wasn't ever about snow and ice and only once because of mud. You won't ever catch me with a truck or SUV without 4x4 any more. I also find I am braver about going riskier places since I have it and would never had tried with any 4x2 I had.

bncinwv · 02-11-2010, 09:30 AM

Tow Vehicle = 4WD Silverado 3500
Work Vehicle = 4WD Silverado 1500
Home Vehicle = 4WD Suburban

Hmmmm.... I think I see a pattern developing here. I would much rather have it and never use it, than not have it and need it. Of course, where we live, they are used regularly!!

Bingo

Delaine and Lindy · 02-11-2010, 10:05 AM

We have always had a 4x4 except with the Chevy Kodiak 4500 and the Freightliner. The major reason I would buy 4x4's is because very few 2 wheel drive Trucks were on the dealer lots. GM Trucks were mostly ordered with the 4x4 option. I must say I never engaged the 4x4 option while RVing. But each none 4x4 Truck did have a limited slip differential, which is a must have option. Is a 4x4 a nessary option, in my opinion it isn't. It really depends on what type of RVing a person does. We have never been in a RV park were a 4x4 is needed and try very hard not to go into cold weather so we want be in snow if at all possible. The price difference and the extra upkeep on owning a 4x4 would be the major reason I would not need a 4x4. And a person can always call for a wrecker service if you get stuck and can do that many time for the price difference of a 4x4 vs 2 wheel drive. But again its just another want or need but the choice is there. GBY....

P.S. Resale is always better with a 4x4, there are many Ranchers and Farmers that will buy a used Truck that was used for RVing. Most are in excellent shape because of the way RVers use a 1 ton Truck.

Clemson1881 · 02-11-2010, 01:37 PM

I had to pull out a buddy's camper once. He had a 2WD Dodge and was stuck. His truck pulled out fine once he unhooked, but it wouldn't budge his camper. He had thrown mud all over his camper front. In 4WD my truck didn't spin a tire pulling out his rig. 4WD is one of those things that if you need it you need it. And if you don't have it and end up needing it..............................

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