Been looking for a truck to replace my 1999 F250. I can get a 4X4, but I can get a much newer 4X2. I have used the four wheel drive on my truck when going into my arena, but wondering if I can get away with a 4X2. I guess I just need you all to tell me I am nuts to consider doing without 4 wheel drive.
Where do you !ive? I got away with one for 12 years and 415k miles. I only got stuck once…on my own farm…in the remains of a roundbale! In coastal Ga and SC.
It seems to me you have 18 years of experience knowing how often you flipped the truck into 4WD, so that should answer your question! 
I don’t use mine very often.
Being thoughtful about where you go and how solid your tires are probably goes a long way. Having traction measures in hand may also be a worthwhile alternative.
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I live in SE MA. We get snow. I don’t generally have to haul in the snow, but, because I have had a 4X4 with a lift kit, I have been able to get through anything in my truck. I am just thinking that I should get a newer 4X2 for now and be more careful about how I use the truck. Not buying new, but used 4X4s in my area are pretty expensive.
Ah, that is a good thought. Funny thing, no one in the NE uses tire chains, but when we lived in Southern CA, you had to have them to go into the mountains in winter.
At least in MA that is because they are only legal in a “hazardous weather event” and cannot be used on a highway or cleared surface. More trouble than it’s worth.
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hmmm… I am in your area but I have to say, I’ve needed 4X4 quite a few times and cursed not having it … especially when parking on grass at events like Groton House or Stoneleigh - :eek:
Like other posters, I’ve usually only needed the 4x4 at home - either in the paddocks when dropping off the roundbale (the dually doesn’t have 4x4, naturally – it gets stuck quite often) or when away parking at shows. Never have I needed it hauling on roads. I have (not hauling) used it in the snow. I did not like how my Z71 handled in the snow without 4x4 - even with good tires.
But if neither of those are a consideration or worry, I can see why you wouldn’t need 4X4 but in extremely rare moments.
And that would be the rub. I first learned to engage 4X4 at Huntington. Groton and Stoneleigh are potential destinations. Fox-hunting, with field parking, is another. Since I had 4X4, I just went whereever. Have you been able to avoid the bad spots with 4X2 or is your next truck going to be 4X4 Beowulf?
If you’re going out hunting, I would say don’t even bother with 4x2. I use the 4x4 most often on wet grass, not the snow.
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Alas, appreciate the advice. Older truck with 4X4. My current truck runs great, it is just disintegrating around me.
I hear you. This is probably the last year for my 2002 before the rust starts to get it.
If you ever come to a steep hill in the snow, you will want your 4x4.
Same! I got stuck at Stoneleigh - I had my 4x4 Z71 back then, so it was okay once I figured out how to use it. That same year, my mother got stuck at GH parking in that back hill towards the road in the dually.
Back to this century… but yes… my next truck will be 4x4. I have a Subaru WRX now (no truck) and wish it could haul because it’s exactly what I want to feel driving. Like you pointed out, I think considering what your destinations are, are a big factor… If you’re going to those places, chances are you’re going to other places that also involve grass parking… Valinor, Gap Mountain, GMHA, the list goes on… actually… I can’t remember a recent event I’ve gone to that didn’t having parking on grass!
I park at a lot of places on grass and there have been several times, mostly in the spring, where I would have not been able to get out without 4X4. I think if your experience has been different 4X2 would probably be fine.
My truck is a 4x2. I bought it when I lived in the south. This was the first “winter” I had to drive it through and did okay. But a MD winter is not a MA winter!
I’ve been lucky not to have an incident getting stuck with the trailer in grass parking at horse shows… yet. I came close a couple times this winter/spring, but I was able to roll back down the hill to a place with better traction. When I was a teenager, I used to pull my trailer with a 4x2 Suburban and got stuck a fair number of times!
The past 3 weekends, I was at events where I would have definitely gotten stuck without 4 wheel drive. DON’T DO IT!!!
Thanks all for the reality check. I thought that maybe I could get away with the 4X2, but, alas, I will pass those shiny. low, mileage 4X2’s by.
ya if I was in MA, I would def have to go 4x4
Another +1 for 4x4.
I lived with 4x2 for ~10 years and IT WAS AWFUL.
Getting stuck in relatively flat mostly dry grass was a regular occurrence.
11/10 would never 4x2 again.
I don’t know anyone who’s regretted having 4WD, I know several people who have lamented having a 4X2
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