2 wheel drive vs 4 wheel drive??

[evan0810]

If you want 4-wheel drive, buy it. I have not been w/o it since 1990 when I got my 2-wheel drive vehicle stuck while hunting in New Mexico and walked 9 1/2 miles in an ice storm to the highway. That is the only time in my life I felt I was in mortal danger. If you are going to use your truck strictly for towing and you live in a southern coastal state, I might not pay the extra. But, like a good handgun, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Ed

[JimmyDee]

I have lived in Western Michigan my entire life and have not been without a 4x4 since 1969. With the snow and ice to contend with every year through out the winter, its nice to have a vehicle that will go through snow. Not having the money to have one vehicle for every occasion, I have a F250 crew cab 4x4 for a towing rig and everyday winter driver. I love the truck.
If you don't know whether you need 4x4 or not, ya probably don't need it.
Jim

[Jeff_in_The_Dalles]

If you don't need 4x4, I wouldn't get it. Taller, slightly worse MPG, and doing ball joints, front axle U joints and so on can be a pain.

Here, though, I wouldn't be without it. I have taken my 5th wheel up some very steep switch back dirt roads.

I figured with maybe 2100 pounds hitch weight, I'd have plenty of traction... I thought wrong- it would go up the grade in 2wd but was constantly spinning the rear tires.

Also, a neighbor bought a 2wd dually, thinking he'd go south before the bad weather came. He also thought wrong, and got stuck trying to back out of his driveway.

For me, I need 4x4. In this area crummy dirt roads lead to the best places to camp, and minor surface streets in town don't get much for snow removal.

If I were somewhere where snow removal wasn't an issue and where everything is paved (or at least gravel) I'd get a 2wd.

[diandtom]

I got stuck four times with my 03 Duramax 2wd. Once backing into a camp site in the mountains. I had to unhook and still be pulled out. I got off the gravel and on some wet grass. I have had other 2wd trucks before and never had a problem like I did with this truck. I not sure the the weight of the engine or all the torque. I traded it in June 06 and the dealer did not sell it until October. I have only need the 4wd a couple times but it comes in nice. I have found one great thing with the 4wd with I change the oil. I put it in 4wd and it goes up the ramps with not trouble. The 2wd truck would push the ramps in the garage.

[porscheracer]

My race car rig is an F-550 towing a 17,000# 40' car hauler with a full living quarters. Kind of a super toy hauler. The Ford is 4x2. I found out very quickly that it will get stuck on wet grass, despite 8500# on the limited-slip rear axle.

Moral: If you NEVER get off pavement / gravel, or traverse steep hills, 4x2 is fine. Otherwise, how many towing bills does it take to offset the additional cost of 4x4?

Both of our toads, BTW, are 4x4 or AWD.