Does the 2wd truck have a limited slip rear differential? If not, pass. If so, I’d consider it if you won’t be towing off road.
Even a 4wd with open (not limited slip) differentials is weak when you need it.
As for winter weather, never forget that 2wd and 4wd corner and stop equally poorly. In winter, tires win, not driving wheels.
Well I am of the opinion I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Around here we are very rural. That plus hills, rain, snow, ice, mud, unpaved roads, more snow, etc. I have actually used my 4 wheel a lot. We have had to use a 4 wheel, to pull a 4 wheel, bearing a load out. So your location, and your needs has a lot to do with it.
Some more info for reference:
The truck I’m looking at is a 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 Duramax. Low miles, the fact that it is “work truck” trim is what puts it in my budget, though at the high end. I’ll admit while I originally wasn’t considering anything that new the fact that it has side airbags is attractive. My tow truck was totalled by a drunk asshole in a wreck that I was exceedingly lucky to survive, albeit with a nasty injury. Safety features are suddenly much more important to me.
my trailer is a gooseneck 2+1, would normally be hauling a 1000# and 1200# horse and all their crap ;). Not light, but not super heavy either.
I currently live in Mississippi but will be moving to Arizona, southern New Mexico, or San Antonio, Texas for about a year. After that South Carolina is looking probable. I can’t see needing 4WD, ever, in any of those places except maybe South Carolina. I could see slick grass being the biggest concern in the southeast. Maybe just always carry a couple 2x4s to use as traction??
growing up all our trucks NEEDED 4WD to get through muddy fields to center pivots. I think I would feel naked without it. But, as I said in the OP I’ve only ever needed 4WD once while trailering. I was glad to have it at the time, though.
this area is a bad market for good tow vehicles so I’d hate to pass up on a truck I think is almost everything I want, but I’d hate to regret not having the safety net of 4WD…
I feel like Murphy’s Law is in full effect here. If I get a 4WD truck I’ll never use it. If I get one without it, I’ll need 4WD at the least opportune time.
You might want to run the VIN number to get the sheet on what window sticker was, it should list the differential … if it has option G80 it is a Positraction / Limited Slip / Typ. Gov-Lock, if option G86 it is Limited Slip
VIN decoder link set to GMC 2500
http://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/GMC/2500
Option differential code decoder for General Motors
http://www.sierragear.com/gm-rpo-axle-ratio-identification-codes-3/
[QUOTE=Jexa;8893804]
Some more info for reference:
The truck I’m looking at is a 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 Duramax. Low miles, the fact that it is “work truck” trim is what puts it in my budget, though at the high end. I’ll admit while I originally wasn’t considering anything that new the fact that it has side airbags is attractive. My tow truck was totalled by a drunk asshole in a wreck that I was exceedingly lucky to survive, albeit with a nasty injury. Safety features are suddenly much more important to me.
my trailer is a gooseneck 2+1, would normally be hauling a 1000# and 1200# horse and all their crap ;). Not light, but not super heavy either.
I currently live in Mississippi but will be moving to Arizona, southern New Mexico, or San Antonio, Texas for about a year. After that South Carolina is looking probable. I can’t see needing 4WD, ever, in any of those places except maybe South Carolina. I could see slick grass being the biggest concern in the southeast. Maybe just always carry a couple 2x4s to use as traction??
growing up all our trucks NEEDED 4WD to get through muddy fields to center pivots. I think I would feel naked without it. But, as I said in the OP I’ve only ever needed 4WD once while trailering. I was glad to have it at the time, though.
this area is a bad market for good tow vehicles so I’d hate to pass up on a truck I think is almost everything I want, but I’d hate to regret not having the safety net of 4WD…
I feel like Murphy’s Law is in full effect here. If I get a 4WD truck I’ll never use it. If I get one without it, I’ll need 4WD at the least opportune time.[/QUOTE]
Lawyers call this “the value of the chance.” 
What is the value of that one time to you? Murphy says that one time will come at the most inopportune moment; then, of course, Murphy was an optimist!!!
My guess is you’re Air Force or Army? That suggests you’re young, healthy, and in good physical condition. For you carrying some lumber or mats to get you out of trouble might be less of an issue than for someone who’s old, stiff, and is on sundown side of things.
It’s likely you do not need 4WD. But if it’s presence gives you peace of mind and you’re willing to pay the freight for its cost, maintenance, and mileage penalty then do what gives you peace of mind. That, in and of itself, has value in terms of lower blood pressure and less general worry. And besides, it’s KOOL!!!
Good luck in whatever decision you make.
G.
Here you need 4WD. If a horse gets ill and you have to pull a trailer in the snow, it’s essential. Everyone I know who doesn’t have it really, really regrets it at some point. Often many points. In areas like you describe, not as necessary but are you sure you won’t get sent to a snowy area?
Here most roads are gravel/dirt. As soon as you get off the freeway it will be dirt and a majority of the county roads are dirt. The dirt is greasy as soon as it gets wet so 4WD, aggressive tread, two spare tires for the truck and probably two for the trailer, a handy man jack and a shovel are in everyone’s truck. So for me a 2WD is a no-go.
My “town truck” is a dually and they get stuck on a patch of wet grass, so again, 4WD. But I love it for towing.
Remember 4wd is completely useless unless you have a limited slip diff, a locking diff, or locking hubs. A open diff will spin one tire in the front and one in the back.
No, not needed. I have hauled with a Dodge 1500 2 wheel drive for decades. I haul a 2 horse combo gooseneck (will & have hauled 3 horses) or 2 mares and foals in box stalls, so not a small trailer.
The only time I was stuck was at Upperville, and the 4 wheel drives were getting towed out of the mud. While I was waiting, I kept taking my floor mats, stuffing them in front of the tires and inching forward. I was free before my turn to be towed out. 
Remember, horse vans are 2 wheel drive.
My old veterinarian said the difference between 2WD and 4 WD is that a 4WD gets stuck 10 feet farther off the road.
I use 4x4 all the time. But I live in the winterlands. I still use it when it is muddy so I don’t tear up my lawn getting the trailer. I use it when I pull boats up the ramp and I use it at horse shows when I park on the grass.
Ironically, I don’t really use it for ice. If it’s that icy I don’t want to be driving above a crawl and I’ve driven enough on the interstate in the winter to say that it’s generally the truck drivers who thought 4x4 would save them that go too fast and end up in the ditch. But it is a must in snow. There are days I wouldn’t be able to leave the farm to go to work before the plow comes without 4x4.
I live in an area with snow. I definately would be considered to need 4WD. But I have never had it…I do, however, pay attention to what I am parking on, where I am parking, and where I am driving to stay out of trouble with my 2WD. I would love a 4WD, because it would be easier in lots of places I have been where it would have been useful. But for years I have been able to get by without it by being smart with my towing.
I had a 4wd. It was useful when trailer wasn’t attached, but with trailer in tow, the additional weigjt never made it required. Have a 2wd now and it’s been fine. I don’t travel frequently in deep snow or mud though (mostly just trailering from home to a show or other barn).
Thanks for the advice, all. Based on my plane, no, I should not expect to get sent to a snowy/northern locale. I am far more likely to be sent to an overseas base before a non-southern base.
Re: differential, my research seems to indicate this particular truck, a Chevy 2500 double cab with work truck trim, comes standard with an automatic locking rear differential. Also good points about tire tread vs 4WD being a bigger factor in snowy conditions.
To be perfectly honest, after the godawful luck I’ve had with vehicles this year I think only a life or death situation would get me hauling in crappy weather conditions :lol:
I think we’ll confirm some info with the dealer and maybe take a look at it this weekend…hopefully I can be done with car shopping and able to haul again soon!
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