Community Forums

vincentC02 · 04-14-2021, 10:11 AM

Thanks for all the responses. They answered the 4 wheel need and when, all of most do not involve my new life. I have been RVng since 1972 when I purchased my first Class A. Since then I have owned 6. I am 78 now and have just sold my last Class A and purchased a Fifth Wheel. I will live in a gated park with 20 foot wide concrete pads, and do not plant to travel. If I do it will be to Resort type parks which I have grown accustom to. I will also purchase a 26 bumper pull for when the trail fever hits me. Again thanks for all comments, and I hope the life continues to be great for all as it is for me.

huntnski · 04-14-2021, 01:33 PM

If your considering 2wd to save money go ahead ad order a truck without a spare tire!

Haven’t ever used mine but o like having it. Got a 4wd too!

jshelk · 04-14-2021, 09:04 PM

First of all, the stability. I've had both 2 and 4wd and the extra weight in the front end while towing heavy makes for added stability. Second, resale value. Everyone wants a 4wd, whether they use it or not, they always sell for more.
And of course the rather have it and not need it adage...

Do what you feel is right!

Alan_Hepburn · 04-15-2021, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntnski

If your considering 2wd to save money go ahead ad order a truck without a spare tire!

Haven’t ever used mine but o like having it. Got a 4wd too!

Back in 1999 we bought a brand new F450 - it came with a spare tire, but there was no place to carry it so it went into the shed in my back yard. We sold that truck back in 2009 and guess what: that spare tire is STILL sitting in the shed in my back yard! Our motorhome didn't come with a spare tire and in 14 years we haven't needed one. In fact I can't remember the last time I actually had to use a spare tire on ANY of our vehicles.

Ray,IN · 04-15-2021, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PS56

You've never road in a 2500 or 250 off road.

Or my K3500 Duramax dually.
One year I was taking 2 grandchildren to Niagara Falls.(15K# 5er) Stopped overnight when I saw a sign along the interstate. Parking was on grass and CG was located in a large bottomland area. Next morning there was 2" of standing water in the bottomland.
I would never have gotten out of that CG without 4WD. FWIW I've never had to have anything 4WD repaired, and that duallly odometer read 148K during that Niagara Falls trip.

wandering1 · 04-18-2021, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vincentC02

I had a 4x4 with a 34 foot 5th wheel, and never in 4 years place in 4 wheel drive. So, here I am buying a new fifth wheel with weight of 17000# and tough weigh of 3700#. So, why buy a 4 wheel drive. I am looking at a Ford 250.

Good question. Most people that buy a 4x4 dont need them, especially for RVing.

rkbeasley · 04-18-2021, 02:52 PM

I agree. I added a switch to bypass the front hubs when in low range. Now I can use low range without the 4x4. Much easier to steer on Fri pavement.

ldsnet · 04-18-2021, 03:10 PM

My F250 was pretty simple to disconnect the auto locking front hubs, that allowed me to use 4X Low to spot the trailer when backing into difficult places (the torque multiplication let me back up an incline while at idle). Plenty of times in gravel, sand, snow, without 4x4 I would have been stuck with the trailer.

IdahoPatriot · 04-18-2021, 03:13 PM

We towed a 40’ fifth wheel for 12 years and used the 4x4 countless times. We were thankful that we had it. On the issue of weight.....we towed with an F350 7.3l power stroke crew cab dually with a 4:10 rear end. We struggled on a regular basis with mountain passes and stopping is another whole concern. Your trailer weights at least twice as much as your desired truck purchase. Don’t let the truck salesman convince you that it will all be ok! Do your homework.

Gammel · 04-18-2021, 03:23 PM

Why a 4x4? Because they’re bad***!
Plus I can go almost anywhere I want in comfort.

2 days old so it doesn’t have the M60 roof turret yet.

mebop · 04-18-2021, 03:27 PM

Before getting our first motorhome I pulled a 34 foot 5th wheel for 11years with a 2004 Silverado diesel duly. It was not 4 wheel drive. It worked out fine, however, being from Michigan I didn’t drive the truck in the winter, it was useless on ice and snow.

danrn · 04-18-2021, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carl.swoyer

I'd rather have it and not need it vs need it and not have it.
I purchased my 2015 silverado cc lb dually duramax 4x4 from a whole sale lot with 9 months warranty left on the drive tran.

My thoughts exactly

Kjoy457 · 04-18-2021, 05:03 PM

You will get every dollar back that you spend in resale on the 4×4 option. I chose to not get the 4 x 4 option. I pull a 15000 lb 38 foot Winnebago destination fifth wheel. I did so because my father had a similar set up and never needed his four wheel drive in all of his years of camping. Mostly I couldn't get the fifth wheel to ride level and keep 6" above the truck bed with a four-wheel drive option . I chose not to get it for those reasons. So far so good. I'm glad I made the decision I did. I can't say enough of how stable it tows with the Dual rear wheel option. I wouldn't go without that. In truck traffic in cross winds it acts like it's on rails. Really reduces anxiety when traveling.

RM Art · 04-18-2021, 06:10 PM

Only vehicle I own that is not a 4x4 is a classic 1967 Buick Wildcat muscle car.

The thing about 4x4 drive is similar to the thing about a spare tire... when you need it you need it - period!!! So, ya better have it available when the need arises. Maybe it will be only once in 10 years, maybe never. But, do you drive around without a spare tire?

For transparency: We live in rural hilly area. Also, I'm a masonry contractor and we often launch boats off trailers. Nary a week goes by where we have not used 4x4 drive.

Wish our 25' Tiffin Allegro RV had 4x4 drive.