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Old 11-22-2015, 12:17 AM   #1
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4wd or 2wd?

I'm wondering how many of you tow with 4WD tow vehicles. We are in the market for a Ford Excursion. I would prefer 4WD for the security but finding many more 2WD available and for less $.
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Old 11-22-2015, 02:11 AM   #2
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For me I would go with the 4wd, I rather have and not need it than not have it and need it. I made the mistake when I bought my first truck and got a 2wd, I hated it because I could have use it but I didn't have it, I regret most of my four to five years driving it. Having a 2wd will only give you about 2 to 300 lbs more of towing so for me it's not worth it.
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Old 11-22-2015, 05:27 AM   #3
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Similar to Big1, I've had both, and from here on out will always go with 4WD. Had a couple of close calls with the 2WD, but thankfully never got stuck. First time out with the 4WD (current truck) I needed it as I got hung up on wet grass trying to back up a slight incline into our site. I may never need it again, but that one time was all it took to convince me never to go back to 2WD
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Old 11-22-2015, 06:09 AM   #4
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4wd here too. Same as most I rarely use it but when needed you can't beat it. Some campsites and rainy nights I lock in 4wheel just in case, once your stuck it is too late.
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Old 11-22-2015, 06:37 AM   #5
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4wd or 2wd?

Depends on where you need to go. I have 4wd and always will. 2wd are cheaper, may get a tiny bit better mpgs and may have a little bit more payload but none of those small benefits are worth not having 4wd to me.
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Old 11-22-2015, 07:28 AM   #6
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In SoCal, I'd question the actual need/expense for 4WD. Sure, there might be a very rare time on a trip, but....
Here in Minn., it's a requirement for just getting around for 5 months of the year, so there is no doubt! Most of those months, I have it in 4wd all the time, makes dealing with slippery roads just soo much better. Too easy to spin out with just 2wd.
And then there is boat launching on slippery ramps in the summer - again 4wd is the only way to go.
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Old 11-22-2015, 07:54 AM   #7
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WE camp OFF-ROAD 90% of the time - would never think about not having a 4WD setup. 4WD and a couple of puppies pulling the rig will get you out of trouble every time...

I haven't really checked in awhile but it for a long time not too many years back you had to pay extra to get a 2WD truck. Kinda like the Automatic verses the Standard shift thing.

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Old 11-22-2015, 11:13 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flapper View Post
In SoCal, I'd question the actual need/expense for 4WD. Sure, there might be a very rare time on a trip, but....
Here in Minn., it's a requirement for just getting around for 5 months of the year, so there is no doubt! Most of those months, I have it in 4wd all the time, makes dealing with slippery roads just soo much better. Too easy to spin out with just 2wd.
And then there is boat launching on slippery ramps in the summer - again 4wd is the only way to go.
Exactly my dilemma......
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Old 11-22-2015, 11:28 AM   #9
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Where are you going to camp?

If you want to go to Pismo and camp on the beach -- 4x4 is a must.
If you want to go to many of the forest service camp grounds in the Sierras -- 4x4 is a must.
If you want to camp in the desert -- 4x4 is convenient, especially during monsoon season

Living in California certainly isn't living in MN where you need 4x4 on a daily basis through the winter; but we absolutely have tons a great places to go where 4x4 is necessary or extremely convenient.

I have always had 4x4 trucks and SUVs. It is used a few times each year, and each time I am extremely happy to have it. Besides you don't lose on 4x4; exactly what you are seeing now with 4x4 bent more expensive is the same you will experience when you go to sell the TV at some point.

IMO -- Get 4x4 and don't think about it anymore.
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Old 11-22-2015, 11:34 AM   #10
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When you say there are more 2WD available I found the opposite to be true in the HD trucks. Excursions may be different but they have not made them for awhile now. Most dealers seem to order HD trucks with 4WD because that is what sells unless they are plain jane work trucks. Same goes when doing a search for used ones. Mine is 2WD and I`m OK with that but next one would likely be 4WD
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Old 11-22-2015, 11:35 AM   #11
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Where are you going to camp?

If you want to go to Pismo and camp on the beach -- 4x4 is a must.
If you want to go to many of the forest service camp grounds in the Sierras -- 4x4 is a must.
If you want to camp in the desert -- 4x4 is convenient, especially during monsoon season

Living in California certainly isn't living in MN where you need 4x4 on a daily basis through the winter; but we absolutely have tons a great places to go where 4x4 is necessary or extremely convenient.

I have always had 4x4 trucks and SUVs. It is used a few times each year, and each time I am extremely happy to have it. Besides you don't lose on 4x4; exactly what you are seeing now with 4x4 bent more expensive is the same you will experience when you go to sell the TV at some point.

IMO -- Get 4x4 and don't think about it anymore.
All great points. We haven't seen the need at any campgrounds yet but I do want to keep our options open. Especially with El Niño coming!

I haven't been shopping that long but really anxious to get our new TV!
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Old 11-22-2015, 11:38 AM   #12
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I`m not sure what you are looking for but when you say there are more 2WD available I found the opposite to be true in the HD trucks. Most dealers seem to order them with 4WD because that is what sells unless they are plain jane work trucks. Same goes when doing a search for used ones. Mine is 2WD and I`m OK with that but next one would likely be 4WD
Ford Excursion. 6.8L V10 4X4. Just currently what I'm finding are more 2WD. They were discontinued in 2005. Finding the perfect one at the perfect price is like a needle in a haystack.
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Old 11-22-2015, 11:42 AM   #13
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WE have a 4x4 just because the wife wanted this truck. 45000 miles and never been off the highway. But like others said it is nice to know you have it and I would most likely go 4x4 again.
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Old 11-22-2015, 11:42 AM   #14
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I'd go for the 4 wheel version if possible. Don't need it most of the time, but if you should, awfully convenient. If you don't have it and bury a rig pulling a vehicle, the tow charges you could possibly incur, almost pay for the additional expense of the 4wd unit!
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Old 11-22-2015, 11:42 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Country_Mouse View Post
Ford Excursion. 6.8L V10 4X4. Just currently what I'm finding are more 2WD. They were discontinued in 2005. Finding the perfect one at the perfect price is like a needle in a haystack.
Yeah my reading comprehension leaves something to be desired at times, after I reread your post I saw it was an Excursion. I can see how finding one in decent shape with acceptable mileage and 4WD would be a challenge.
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Old 11-22-2015, 12:41 PM   #16
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When I bought my truck new, I opted to go with a 4 wheel drive, peace of mind in the winter.
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Old 11-22-2015, 01:44 PM   #17
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4WD, no question. We go to Florida almost every February to get out of the cold and misery. 2 years ago we had a surprise snow storm the night before we left. Had to tow the first 30 or 40 miles in 4WD to get past the snow... worth every penny!

A couple years earlier we were camping at a nice campground, but it rained Saturday night into Sunday morning and created a mud pit. The sites were grass, so a lot of people couldn't leave Sunday morning because their 2WD trucks were just spinning in the grass. I put it in 4WD and drove right out to the gravel road and never had a problem.
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Old 11-23-2015, 05:47 AM   #18
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It just a piece of mind for me, I don't use it must but when I have use it I have been glad I went with the 4wd, it just better getting through bad weather if need to, and now since I have it I would never get a 2wd again. I live in the Pacific Northwest so I do and will need it at time,good luck and let us know what you went with.
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Old 11-23-2015, 07:32 AM   #19
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4x4
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Old 11-23-2015, 07:34 AM   #20
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One small overlooked benefit of the 4x4 is the 4 lo. That reduction is really nice when you are trying to get your camper into and out of tight spots with inclines. Any of the 4x4s with a 2 speed transfer case could pull a house over when locked in 4 LO.
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