2WD vs. 4WD tow vehicle

[Matt93SE]

I've "never needed" 4wd in my truck, but my yard gets pretty soggy in the rainy season and I've made the mistake of trying to turn the truck & trailer around in the yard before, getting it stuck in the mud.

I wound up having to wait until the wife got home and we used her Honda Element to pull my 7.3 and 24' enclosed out of the mud! That was 6 months ago and there are still ruts in the yard.

Anyway, if the truck is only going to be used for towing, I agree- 4wd is overkill. less gas mileage, more parts to break, etc etc.
If you're going to be using the truck for other stuff too, then the decision should weigh more on that. since 95% of the reason I bought my truck is to tow the race car and I live on flat land, there's no need for 4wd. I just need to pay attention and make sure I don't get off my gravel drive and stick it in the mud again.

[joeg]

With a diesel P/U, I think 4WD is important for muddy paddocks-it is especially nose heavy.

I wouldn't spring for one w/o 4WD.

[Matt93SE]

With a diesel P/U, I think 4WD is important for muddy paddocks-it is especially nose heavy.

I haven't been to a track yet that I needed to park in the mud.
Maybe it's different in Algeria though.

[CRallo]

I haven't been to a track yet that I needed to park in the mud.
Maybe it's different in Algeria though.

[erlrich]

I'm one of those "if it ain't a 4X4, it ain't a real truck" people; but then I do use my truck for way more than just towing; like getting around in the snow, or getting to the top of mountains on dirt trails maybe 2' wider than the truck. So, my perspective may be a little skewed.

I will say, I have had to use 4WD once or twice in the paddock at Summit - back in the grassy areas in the woods, or back near working camping it can get pretty slick after a rain. But in general if I were buying a truck only for towing I probably wouldn't worry about 4WD. I would just avoid those areas where I might get stuck.

[lateapex911]

yea, it's all about where you live.

I was never a 4wd guy, thought it was a waste. "Man up and get some snow tires, throw some sand in the bed, disconnect the rear sway bar and just drive", LOL

I must be getting old. This last winter was brutal around here. one 12" storm followed by a 16" storm, record breaking long before it was over, and I needed to get around. Since you can not BUY a 2 wd truck in CT, LOL, my new truck came with 4WD.

Ummmm....it's errrrrr....GREAT. One late night coming home I was the only guy out on the Merritt parkway. It was DUMPING 2 or 3" per hour. The road was 12"+ deep, unplowed. I won't tell you how fast i was going. But i wasn't crawling, LOL. Sadly a tree was down across the whole road (It was a helluva storm) so I had to turn back and drive the wrong way. Only guy I came across was a cop, who had chains on and was struggling with those.

On I-95, cars were abandoned in the middle of the road...jeeps even!

So, yea, I'm a believer.

But I can not remember ever engaging 4WD in that truck while the trailers hooked up.

So, for towing, I'd skip it. But don't drive into slippery paddock areas.

[Flyinglizard]

If you race @ Nelson, get the 4wd..
MM

[JLawton]

yea, it's all about where you live.

I was never a 4wd guy, thought it was a waste. "Man up and get some snow tires, throw some sand in the bed, disconnect the rear sway bar and just drive", LOL

I must be getting old. This last winter was brutal around here. one 12" storm followed by a 16" storm, record breaking long before it was over, and I needed to get around. Since you can not BUY a 2 wd truck in CT, LOL, my new truck came with 4WD.

Ummmm....it's errrrrr....GREAT. One late night coming home I was the only guy out on the Merritt parkway. It was DUMPING 2 or 3" per hour. The road was 12"+ deep, unplowed. I won't tell you how fast i was going. But i wasn't crawling, LOL. Sadly a tree was down across the whole road (It was a helluva storm) so I had to turn back and drive the wrong way. Only guy I came across was a cop, who had chains on and was struggling with those.

On I-95, cars were abandoned in the middle of the road...jeeps even!

So, yea, I'm a believer.

But I can not remember ever engaging 4WD in that truck while the trailers hooked up.

So, for towing, I'd skip it. But don't drive into slippery paddock areas.

That is funny to hear that you've come to the dark side Jake!! LOL I always remember you bustin' on 4x4!! I've got one of those jobs that is NOT considered non essential (I work for a hospital) and MUST get to work no matter how much snow. Yup, there was once this past winter I was driving through 28" of snow on unplowed streets........... I was lovin' my 4x4 that morning!!!

[rsportvolvo]

I haven't been to a track yet that I needed to park in the mud.
Maybe it's different in Algeria though.

Algeria for work only, otherwise Houston is my home base. My car is slowly (unfortunately) getting built at a friends shop in Florida while I'm overseas. Getting my car & parts back to Texas is the reason for the purchase now vs. later.

The sole purpose, at the moment, for this truck is towing. So no towing in snow & ice storms to get to the track. I've driven I95 around MD, VA & DC in snow & ice and more 4WD vehicles ended up in the ditches than 2WD (unlimited traction mentality due to 4WD). A limited-slip differential is the key along with a cautious and attentive driver based on my experience. I'll be sure to have a limited-slip differential in the tow vehicle.