2-wheel or 4-wheel drive?

[santurinos]

Dear Friends,

We just purchased a Trail-lite crossover 189QB. We’re looking now for a perfect SUV to pull our trailer.
We considering a Tahoe or Yukon, 5.3lt.
The question is – should it be a 2 wheel or a 4 wheel drive?

Thank you for your help – Walter and Dianne.

[okgc]

4 wheel drive

[450Donn]

Depends a lot on where you live. I have a 4X4 SUV for DW and a 4X2 truck to pull my fiver. Last truck was a 4X4 and never used it when towing, so why waste the money on something not needed. If you really need a 4X4 you already know it.

[santurinos]

Thank you Friends,
Looks like I discovered a nice community!
I realize – my question looks a bit unwise…
Let me explain: At this moment we’re looking at two towing vehicles, A Tahoe or a Yukon with a 5.3 l engine.
I’ve saved already a Tahoe 4-wheel drive and a few others with 2-wheel drive.
The 4-wheel drive is a one owner, certified vehicle at a very affordable price. I would love to buy this one but I am a bit worry about the more complicated 4-wheel drive.
I would rather buy a two wheel drive but right now there are no similar great deals available.
My question: Is a 4-wheel drive more suspect for repair service. Is the driving radius the same like a 2-wheel drive? Is a 4-wheel drive sometime a problem?
I already see that you not necessarily call for a 4-wheel drive. But what about if you visit Yellowstone park, travel through the Colorado mountains (we’re dreaming about)? Then again – we may just go there in the summer month…

Dianne and I, we both are RV- beginners. We use to camping way up in the North Georgia and North Carolina Mountains with a back pack, compass and a tent.
Past 60, things are changing…

What about our Trail-lite 189QB. Any good? (maybe too late to ask…)

Y’ALL take care – have a great Sunday – Walter and Dianne.

[TXiceman]

It is a decision you have to make based on your use of the vehicle. I do not need or want a 4-wheel drive. To me the 4-wheel drive presents the following problems:
Reduced towing and GVWR capacity due to the added weight'
reduced fuel consumption
Increased maintenance and repair cost.

With all of the negative comments regarding 2-wheel drive DRW trucks and how poor they do loaded as well as unloaded, I have NEVER had an issue with my 2-wheel drive on slick or snow covered roads. We lived in NE Oklahoma and I carried about 300# in sand bags during the winter months for the extra traction and no problems.

As a mater of fact I have pulled two 4 wheel driver Hummer H2 out of mud usingmy poor old incapable 2-wheel drive dually.

So it is a matter of how you plan to use the vehicle and where you plan to travel.

Ken

[TandW]

Iceman, I wonder how many doolies have been rescued by 4x2's. I once rescued a van loaded with printing type with a common 11 horse garden tractor. Uphill!

[450Donn]

Again, this all boils down to what you like doing. If your idea of fun is driving a lot of muddy forest service roads, then yes get a 4X4. But from your posts I would avoid them and go for a nice 4X2. With a 4X4 you can loose up to 1MPG in fuel economy, 5-600 pounds in payload. Not to mention the increased maintenance for the front end.
Now, since you are looking for a SUV, you might try finding a nice 4X2 Yukon with the 6.0L gas motor. Or an Excursion with a diesel motor. Either will give you far more towing ability with little sacrifice in fuel economy. And in the case of a diesel you will actually see an improvement. Don't be afraid to shop out of your region. There is always lots of used vehicles on Ebay motors. And buying from a dealer you always have the option of walking away if the vehicle is not as advertised.

[TandW]

I forgot about my Cushman Scooter with Jump on starter and two speed shifter. It pulled my buddies stranded Isetta out of the mud more than once!

[OLYLEN]

With todays rigs a 100,000 without major work is common, just regular maintenance 2 or 4. Tires will wear a bit more on the 4x4. Gas will suffer a little. But a little snow, ice, mud, soft sand or soft camp ground and the 4x4 shines. I feel the 4x4 has a bit more around you for safety and a lot of the time come better equipped for towing. Also haft the fun of camping for me is after the towing and again the 4x4 without the 2x2 worry. JMO

LEN

[Ray,IN]

I have towed with both. My present truck, a Chevy K3500, dually, CC, LB, is 4X4(or would that actually be 6X6?) anyway, I have actually needed 4X4 only three times in 5 years when towing. Driving just the truck, we have driven many dirt roads in AZ, NV, and NM. We like to find/visit old ghost towns out in the boonies, not the tourist traps, but real ghost towns. During these adventures we find 4X4 is needed each drive at some point.
re: Maintenance costs of 4X4; my truck has 91K miles now and not a dime in maintenance costs for that option, to date.
If your plans include National or State forest areas, and dry camping, I suspect you will consider the money spent for 4X4 a good investment.

[santurinos]

Thanks a lot my friends for your responses!
We still looking at our favorites, the Tahoe or Yukon, 5.3lt.
And (as usual…) it takes me some time to decide, I haven’t made up my mind whether to go with a 2-wheel or 4-wheel.
Meanwhile, I enjoy your friendly input and spend a bit time with learning…

Y’ALL take care, have a nice day – Walter and Dianne.

[jbenoit28]

Walter,

I've towed a 7000# race trailer around Florida with a Tahoe and the 5.3 4X2. One issue, the transmission didn't want to pick a gear and stay there. My buddy who owned the truck towed a hybrid at about 6500# and had no issues. He also towed it all the way to Oregon for his move out west for the Coast Guard. No issues. Gas MPG is terrible while towing though. He hasn't been stuck yet and we've been in a lot of stuff with that truck. It does have the locker in the rearend so that does help. All that said, I bought a 05 Excursion 4X4 Diesel for my future TT. I needed it to tow my race trailer now that it's up to 10,000#. We used to tow the old one with a Expedition 5.4L 4X2, no issues but really bad MPG. The diesel is way better MPG and overall power as you'd expect. I didn't want the 4X4 for a few of the reasons stated above, but it was a clean truck and at a good price. Got it in PA, flew up, inspected it, drove it home to Florida. Don't be afraid to travel for the right truck, if you're like me, you'll own it a long time. Good luck.

Joe