4WD necessary in a tow vehicle?

[Jexa]

I’m finally getting around to replacing my daily driver/tow vehicle that was totaled in a wreck. Forgot how much I hate car shopping :no:

I may have found a decent deal on a pickup that is darn near everything I want, except it’s 2WD. I’ve needed 4WD a grand total of once towing a horse trailer and that was an odd situation: front wheels on pavement, rear wheels in mud. The only other time we used 4WD in the wrecked 2500 it didn’t help because the pickup was too heavy for 4WD to do anything. But, I’d rather have and not need it than need it and not have it. I’ll be moving around a bit the next few years, but my options are basically limited to AZ, NM, TX, or SC. So not expecting to deal with frequent bad roads.

My brain is fried from this whole shopping experience and some outside perspective would be helpful! What says COTH? Deal breaker or nice to have but not necessary?

[Cindy_Galloway]

4WD is ideal - you don’t need it until you do. Trailering horses always involves pulling into sketchy parking lots, needing to back into grassy areas where it may be wet etc. etc., you know the drill. To purchase an expensive vehicle and then regret or have it cramp your schedule or destination would be really annoying. I’d wait and find the perfect 4WD for your budget.

[WildandWickedWarmblo]

No. But to pull out of sand or mud, which your trailer will one day end up in, you need 4WD.

[connemarafan]

For me it’s a deal breaker (FL sugar sand!) but realistically ask yourself will you ever be in a situation where there is absolutely no one around to tow you out if needed.

If the answer is yes then I’d say 4WD is necessary to avoid being stranded.

I feel your pain on the truck shopping experience, I am feeling the same way!

[ReSomething]

We used the teeny '84 Toyota 4X to get the '77 F350 with the 460 and the four barrel carb moving up the boat ramp, because it would lose traction otherwise and having 4x of it’s own wasn’t really going to help. We used to empty the bar across the way if we didn’t have the little truck, all it needed was weight in the rear. Big Samoan guys did the job splendidly.
How many times did you use the 4X in the old truck?

[Guilherme]

There are multiple threads on this and the consensus is likely that you don’t NEED 4WD unless you need 4WD due to your specific circumstances. But it’s a very nice thing to have, can get you out of common difficulties when 2WD won’t, and won’t get you into trouble unless you’re acting without good thought. It does impose a cost, weight, and fuel efficiency penalty. That has to be balanced against the ability to get off “greasy grass” after an event, show, trail ride, etc.

I have a 4WD dually (and you don’t really need duals, either ) and have for almost 12 years. As long as I pull horses I’ll have 4WD!

G.

[tangledweb]

It’s a deal breaker for me. With the trailers I mostly use it to be sure I don’t leave big skid marks across a landowner’s grass in damp conditions. I had 2WD tow vehicles for years so I’m still pretty careful to park on good ground facing downhill if I’m given the choice so I probably don’t need it that often, but I hate being stuck.

It really depends on where you live and will park. For getting a heavy trailer started on grass, mud or any imperfect parking surface, it’s really nice to have traction to more than one wheel.

I need 4WD to get around the farm without trailers anyway, so I don’t consider 2WD for any of my vehicles.

[cutter99]

I would not be without 4 wheel drive, but that is my preference. Another thing to consider is a truck with 4 wheel drive is more desirable and therefore worth more and easier to sell than one without.

[2horseowner]

Nope-just got a new F-250 w/ 4x4. Would not have even looked if it didn’t have it. As everyone has said, when you need it, you need it.

[Mukluk]

4wd because I live where it may snow or become icy. Because when you go horse camping (in the boondocks with no cell service) and are on dicy terrain you will need it. I’d rather be safe than sorry.

[AKB]

Think about where you trailer. If you are always on paved or gravel surface, you may not need 4WD, I like to trail ride, so regularly park on grass and dirt. If it pours down rain while I am on the trail, I want to be able to load up and drive home. Stuck in the mud is not fun.

Last year, on my way home from trail riding in Florida, an unexpected snow storm began while I was on 95 in the Carolinas. Temps were dropping, and there was no place to overnight. I drove slowly through the snow for an hour. I was glad to have 4WD,

[clanter]

Believe me if you move to Texas and you need four wheel drive you Do Not want to be on the road with at all the nitwits who are driving about 80MPH on ice

We have a F250 4 wheel drive, manual trans with lockout hubs… very rarely ever use the four wheel drive … son liked it because he could be the hero at combined driving events to pull others out…but there were tractors there to do the same

As for driving around… we actually have roads that are paved here and those that are they are under what appears to be constant construction (is there any road construction equipment remaining for the rest of the United States to build roads?)

[ryansgirl]

Dealbreaker. I would never buy a tow vehicle without 4WD. In fact I’d never buy any vehicle without it. I’ve been driving for over 30 years and everyone of my vehicles (all trucks) have all had it. I do live in New England so winters can be tough but I’ve had to use it on wet grass before at shows, etc. during the summer. Definitely worth it.

[Hulk]

I wont even look at a truck that doesn’t have 4WD.

[jawa]

If you go with an aggressive tire, you can get away with 2WD more often. BUT there are times and special circumstances that only 4WD will get you out of trouble.

If you can afford 4WD, I’d get it.

[gallupgirl]

I’m going to be the dissenter here. I would never buy one WITH 4WD.

I’m currently in the market for a new truck…my old 2WD diesel just turned 100,000. I’m 49 y.o. and spent my entire life as a professional until recently. I have never owned a 4WD and never needed it. Have been all over the country racing, showing and horse selling.

I currently live in Oklahoma but I was in Ohio previously. The 2WD is going to save me $4500 on the purchase and a mile or two per gallon on the fuel bill. For that much money IF I ever need it I can call a tow company.

I’ve had many candid discussions about this with truck salesmen and the consensus is that there are lots of clueless men (their term, not mine) that when they buy a pickup truck they want a “truck” and that includes 4WD. They have told me that on trade in almost all admit that they have never used it or have turned it on just to see if it’s still working.

With that being said, it’s VERY VERY difficult to find a 2WD pickup. The dealerships try not to stock them because they are a hard sell.

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=gallupgirl;8892930]
I’m going to be the dissenter here. I would never buy one WITH 4WD.

I’m currently in the market for a new truck…my old 2WD diesel just turned 100,000. I’m 49 y.o. and spent my entire life as a professional until recently. I have never owned a 4WD and never needed it. Have been all over the country racing, showing and horse selling.

I currently live in Oklahoma but I was in Ohio previously. The 2WD is going to save me $4500 on the purchase and a mile or two per gallon on the fuel bill. For that much money IF I ever need it I can call a tow company.

I’ve had many candid discussions about this with truck salesmen and the consensus is that there are lots of clueless men (their term, not mine) that when they buy a pickup truck they want a “truck” and that includes 4WD. They have told me that on trade in almost all admit that they have never used it or have turned it on just to see if it’s still working.

Understand. We call 'em “Walmart cowboys.”

With that being said, it’s VERY VERY difficult to find a 2WD pickup. The dealerships try not to stock them because they are a hard sell.[/QUOTE]

In OK (particularly if your in the flatlands) the need for 4WD will be less than if your in the eastern more hilly area. If you don’t “go in harm’s way” by going into places that are wet and mucky then your choice is sound.

I live in the mountains of East TN, in an area that gets almost 50" of rain per year (and has gotten more than 60" in some of the time we’ve been here). We get on average around 12" of snow per year and a couple of ice storms. For that reason the truck is selective 4WD and the car is full time AWD. It’s not just for moving horses!!!

As long as you’ve got your USRider card you’re good to go!!!

G.

[GrayMare]

For me it would be a deal breaker. When you need it, you need it, and it’s rarely a time or place where you want to be calling a tow truck and waiting for it.

I suppose things could be different if you live in a flat, dry place and never drive your trailer off of pavement.

[neversaynever]

I would say it depends on the what it is like there (hills, off-road), and the size/weight of the trailer you are pulling. I would never consider a 2WD with a large or living quarter trailer.

When I lived in the flatlands of GA where it rarely got snow/ice and I stayed mainly on paved or gravel roads, I never really needed 4WD. I did pay particular attention to what surface I was driving on. I could have used it once or twice in some muddy areas, but was able to get my light bumper pull trailer out without a tow. A 4WD would have made it easier.

When I moved to E TN, I quickly found out that I needed the 4WD. I am so glad I have it now. The miles per gallon while towing is actually about the same between the gas V-8 2WD we had and our “new to us” diesel F450 4WD. Maintenance costs are higher for the diesel, however.

[hank]

I live in AZ. My last truck is without 4wd. In 9 years I have never missed it. I exclusively trail ride.