Importance of 4WD?

[Dennis mn]

I bought four wheel drive because when you buy a truck here in the north country, trucks are four wheel drive, you get the mone back at trade in time. I don't need four wheel drive for towing, but that is what's available here.

[Darwin Maring]

Dennis, The 2012 Nissan Frontier that we bought here in Virginia is also 4WD because they didn't have any 2 WDs available. I think the only way to get a 2 WDs here is to order it made.

[Dennis mn]

Originally Posted by Darwin Maring

Dennis, The 2012 Nissan Frontier that we bought here in Virginia is also 4WD because they didn't have any 2 WDs available. I think the only way to get a 2 WDs here is to order it made.

I first looked at Frontiers in Louisiana and Arkansas last winter when we wer camping there. The majority of trucks on their lots seemed to be two wheel drive. In Colorado, and Montana, when I lived there, most trucks were four wheel drive. It seems to be a regional thing. I special ordered a two wheel drive Ford when I lived in Montana, and learned that when it was time to trade, I lost much more than the price of four wheel drive at purchase time.

[jwgeorgen]

Thanks for all the responses! We really like Alaska, plan to do some towing there. Personally, I like the 4WD as opposed to the AWD; I drive a 1stGen Honda Insight right now and get +/- 60mpg. Regardless of which route we go (I can only imagine being somewhere on a seldom travelled road and getting bogged down without 4WD, not good!) I know I need to be preparing for a whole different world of gas mileage!

[floyd]

I would not take my Scamp anywhere that my Ranger can't go. That would mean dragging it on the frame, tearing off the plumbing, and breaking fiberglass.
And since I have not had to drive over downed tree trunks or ford rivers, I don't need to be concerned about trade-in!
Heck, real boondockers need snorkles on their 4WDs but that might make them bed wetters if they are towing fiberglass trailers.!

[charlsara]

Originally Posted by floyd

I would not take my Scamp anywhere that my Ranger can't go. That would mean dragging it on the frame, tearing off the plumbing, and breaking fiberglass.
And since I have not had to drive over downed tree trunks or ford rivers, I don't need to be concerned about trade-in!
Heck, real boondockers need snorkles on their 4WDs but that might make them bed wetters if they are towing fiberglass trailers.!

Hey Floyd, If I see your Ranger stuck. I will pull it out with mine (4wd)


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[floyd]

Originally Posted by charlsara

Hey Floyd, If I see your Ranger stuck. I will pull it out with mine (4wd)


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Not to worry, but thanks anyway!

[charlsara]

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[honda03842]

We had on demand 4 wheel drive, obviously not the real thing. We only used it once, forcing it's activation. It may not have even been necessary.

We've driven across Labrador when it was totally dirt and gravel, drove numerous 10% grades and a couple of 18% grades and never needed it, front wheel drive was enough.

That said, if four wheel drive were free to buy and operate I'd probably own a vehicle with it.

[stevebaz]

I have 4wd tugs. If your boondocking there is a reason you want the solitude. After you park the trailer is when you need 4wd. Your out in the wilderness and with 4wd you can explore to your hearts desire. Exploring alone is foolish even with 4wd but plain stupid in 2wd. Take your 4wd out in 2wd and if you get yourself in trouble slip it into 4wd turn around and drive back to camp. There are so many neat places at the end of the road.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by charlsara

Attachment 90487


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Nice truck, mine's a 2001 Edge with a front torsion bar suspension and a limited slip 8.8.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by stevebaz

I have 4wd tugs. If your boondocking there is a reason you want the solitude. After you park the trailer is when you need 4wd. Your out in the wilderness and with 4wd you can explore to your hearts desire. Exploring alone is foolish even with 4wd but plain stupid in 2wd. Take your 4wd out in 2wd and if you get yourself in trouble slip it into 4wd turn around and drive back to camp. There are so many neat places at the end of the road.

That does explain the need for 4WD and the passion which justifies it!
However it is still true that it is not beneficial for the purpose of fiberglass RV towing, which is the question at hand...

[Mike Magee]

I have towed with FWD and no weight distribution hitch, and my tires wore much faster due to tire scrub on the front pulling wheels. Since then I've bought vehicles with AWD or full-time 4WD, and I've been very happy to have it. The vehicles tow with good stability. On the rare days when I've had to go in snowy/icy conditions, AWD was a real pleasure because while others were spinning wheels in futility or shoveling, I could just go on my merry way. AWD has given me the confidence to pull onto some trails and out-of-the-way spots that I would have hesitated to travel otherwise.... like this spot where I drove almost 1/4 mile off the road on a loose sand 2-track, and spent 2 days and nights without seeing another soul.



I prefer a full-time system over a part-time one because the former can be used on pavement without worrying about the need to remember to engage or disengage. A part time 4WD usually must be disengaged on dry pavement to avoid driveline damage. Currently I have the best of both worlds though; my '08 Lexus GX470 has full time 4wd plus available low range plus push-button differential lock. I doubt I'll need to use the latter features except on some fairly extreme trails in CO or UT... which would be fun to do someday.

[Jack Walter]

I've been driving AWD cars (Land Rovers and a CRV) for over thirty years and think its one of the best safety factors you can have. For the 2 mpg it may cost for a true AWD system the extra stability in heavy rain and windy conditions is well worth the price. Plus as several other folks have stated its great for boondocking (or even getting up my steep driveway). With something like my Land Rover you also have a low range which is fantastic for backing a trailer into a tight campsite. I couldn't have gotten out of this field without AWD.

[charlsara]

This one has AWD and 4WD plus 4WD low. I don't use the systems very much because the truck is heavy enough in 2WD for most situations. It is nice to have the option on those snowy drives in the NC mountains. I do use it to back my traIler up my steep gravel driveway. Much more control.


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[David B.]

Our life style has us attending fiberglass trailer get-togethers AND four wheel drive club gatherings around the country, as well as being able to camp right on the sandy shore without worry of getting stuck. I wouldn't leave home without it.
Dave & Paula

[Raz]

Living in Vermont, 4wd/awd is nice to have and at times a necessity. We have two vehicles, a CRV which is awd, and a pickup, which is 4wd. The pickup is our tow vehicle and pretty much stays parked in the winter. While I could probably get by with 2wd, selling would be problematic. Also, I like the low range gears.

Years ago I recall 2wd pickups with creeper gears (sometimes called granny gears) but they seem to have disappeared. The low gearing makes pulling the trailer up our rather steep gravel driveway much easier. It's a shame low range is not available with awd. While I'm told Subaru sells an awd with a low range, it is not available here. I'm not sure I'd want a pickup without it. Raz

[vintageracer]

Four Wheel Drive or All Wheel Drive is BY FAR THE BEST MONEY you will spend for an option on ANY VEHICLE you will buy.

As a licensed car dealer for over 30 years the typical $2K or less you spend on the 4WD or AWD option will make you vehicle worth that MUCH MORE and many times TWICE the amount you paid for this option in the future when it comes time to trade/sell the vehicle. Hands down the BEST MONEY you will spend on any option on a new or used vehicle. I have seen 4WD/AWD make a vehicle worth as much $5K than the exact same 2WD vehicle without it and in some cases 4WD/AWD makes the difference between your ability to sell the vehicle. Yes it can be that important that in some cases your ONLY option to sell the vehicle may be to trade it in at a dealer. Either way you going to get it BIG TIME right in the shorts when it comes to trade in value.

4WD & AWD drive systems are so good in today's vehicle that any of the pre-conceived notions you may have are gone.

BUY 4WD OR AWD!

[floyd]

Originally Posted by vintageracer

Four Wheel Drive or All Wheel Drive is BY FAR THE BEST MONEY you will spend for an option on ANY VEHICLE you will buy.

As a licensed car dealer for over 30 years the typical $2K or less you spend on the 4WD or AWD option will make you vehicle worth that MUCH MORE and many times TWICE the amount you paid for this option in the future when it comes time to trade/sell the vehicle. Hands down the BEST MONEY you will spend on any option on a new or used vehicle. I have seen 4WD/AWD make a vehicle worth as much $5K than the exact same 2WD vehicle without it and in some cases 4WD/AWD makes the difference between your ability to sell the vehicle. Yes it can be that important that in some cases your ONLY option to sell the vehicle may be to trade it in at a dealer. Either way you going to get it BIG TIME right in the shorts when it comes to trade in value.

4WD & AWD drive systems are so good in today's vehicle that any of the pre-conceived notions you may have are gone.

BUY 4WD OR AWD!

You sold them, I fixed them!
Consider the extra thousands spent on drive train repairs and hub replacements. My 2WD pickup is still worth more than half its original purchase price after 15 years and 170000miles and its a stick shift! Something a dealer sees as totally worthless.

Word of advice... Unless you just want to foist off a piece of junk, don't EVER trade a vehicle in to a dealer. No matter how many wheels drive the thing, sell it outright and buy cash or suffer the loss.
I have bought 14 new vehicles for personal use over the years and never paid more than 75% of list price. That may never happen again since all the "no haggle, just pay what you are told" policies have become widely accepted.
Also , there is now the "Want it your way? Go to Burger King" policy, which also precludes buying new.

I went to buy a new 2015 car this year and the final price ended up actually ABOVE list price after tax, license,etc... Laughable!
I walked on principle and ended up with a beautiful, low mileage, 20 year old Mustang Convertible from a private party which will increase in value from now on.

[Gordon in Idaho]

Low range gearing, found on most 4WD trucks (I believe), will allow you to crawl slowly and safely up steep, rough roads and coast down without riding the brakes. I use it a lot on my 4 cylinder '92 Toyota pickup, especially when pulling the Scamp 13.
Another advantage of low range: SLOWLY backing the trailer into a tight spot.