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Old 03-21-2013, 09:53 AM   #1
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5th TV - 2x4 or 4x4

I read that many of you 5ers tow with 4WD. And I'm curious if they tow better than 2WD and why. I can understand in snow or marginal icy conditions 4WD would probably be a plus but what about just rolling down the interstate?
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Old 03-21-2013, 10:50 AM   #2
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My truck is 4wd for after we get to the camp site. And, 2wd is just silly in Utah.
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Old 03-21-2013, 12:58 PM   #3
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4x4 is for playing...sometimes I need it to tow though...but mostly for play...
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Old 03-21-2013, 01:40 PM   #4
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5th TV - 2x4 or 4x4

Most 4x4 systems in trucks shouldn't be used unless on loose surfaces (offroad) or slippery surfaces (snow or ice). Some have an automatic mode which you can leave on and it will engage the other wheels when it detects slip.

I got my truck in 4x4 for winter daily driving, not towing. Though I suppose if you find yourself on slippery grass or mud pulling out of a remote camp spot it would help.
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Old 03-21-2013, 01:59 PM   #5
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I have a 4X4 F350, but always tow in 2X4. As said in other posts, the 4 wheel is only for slippery surfaces or getting out of a mudhole, whether you are towing or not. On some trucks, having it in 4 wheel puts a bit of a limit on turning radius due to the binding of the front u-joints under sharp turns. And one other thing - from experience, I can tell you that 4X4 is no help at all while on ice, or if one wheel is spinning on one side, and the diagonal wheel (opposite side, other axle) is also spinning. Could be that some of the newer ones with electronic control might not have this problem, but my 2003 is not one of them.
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Old 03-21-2013, 02:20 PM   #6
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Agree with all above and that if I use it while towing it is usually in such a case where 2WD is slipping and I will get stuck. Once I get a grip then I turn it off.

If you don't need 4WD for any conditions then you will be far better off with 2WD version of the vehicle of choice with better MPG, larger capacities due to less vehicle weight and less maintenance. I need and use my 4WD in conditions that require it, which is why I have one.
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Old 03-21-2013, 02:58 PM   #7
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I have 4WD for reasons stated above but also for when I am not towing the 5er. PU trucks have the tendency to be light in the rear end and almost always need 4WD in snow. Even on very slight slopes.
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Old 03-22-2013, 06:54 AM   #8
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Thanks for your responses!
I post on several forums and this one is far and away the most helpful. It is what we make it.
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:02 AM   #9
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I can count the times on one hand that I've needed 4x4 while towing, but I am sure glad that I had it. I likely use it less than a dozen times a year, mostly when it's snowing or when I am on a slippery boat ramp.
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:16 AM   #10
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When I was looking at used trucks through internet search by far the majority of the 2500`s were 4x4, most of the ones that were not were plain jane work trucks. Mine is 2WD and was one of the few exceptions. And when I did dealer inventory searches for new 2500`s, same thing nearly all in stock 2500`s were 4WD with the few exceptions being work trucks. My point is it may even be difficult to find a nicely equipped Crew cab or Ext cab 2WD 2500 or 3500 without ordering one. So it seems most folks choose 4WD when buying a heavier truck.
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:28 AM   #11
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I'll never be without 4X4. As light as a pickup is in the rear relative to the weight in the front, 2X will spin even on wet pavement when accelerating from a stop. And with midwestern winters...enough said.

I have used 4X4 when 5W towing- once when crossing dew covered grass in a campground and another time when starting up a steep gravel road after a complete stop. In both instances a 2X would have left me very frustrated, if not stuck in place.

I have never towed in 4X4 going down the Interstate.
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Old 03-22-2013, 08:29 AM   #12
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Try and find an HD truck that is not 4x4... they are very rare.. and 99.99% of the time unnecessary. I have to keep reminding myself to put the truck into 4x4 to "exercise" the front drive train.
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Old 03-22-2013, 09:38 AM   #13
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I'm "shopping" for the next TV with an upgrade to a 5th in 2-ish years. There are VERY few 2WD available in the Houston area and as you point out those a likely to be the stripped work truck. I've figured that for 2WD I'll have to order which is OK cause I want what I want and am willing to wait for it to be made. The Bride and I went to the Houston Livestock show a couple weeks ago and Ford had their usual truck display which only made "want" even more persistent.
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Old 03-25-2013, 03:25 PM   #14
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I do ALOT of towing 5er and bumper pull and have yet to need 4 x 4. I will say that I do not go into campgrounds so that maybe an occasion it would be helpful. If road conditions dictate 4 x 4 while towing then IMHO it's time to get off the road and call it a day.
You are correct 2 x 4 2500/3500 trucks are hard to come by but they are out there.
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Old 03-25-2013, 05:07 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greenenvy1 View Post
I do ALOT of towing 5er and bumper pull and have yet to need 4 x 4. I will say that I do not go into campgrounds so that maybe an occasion it would be helpful. If road conditions dictate 4 x 4 while towing then IMHO it's time to get off the road and call it a day.
You are correct 2 x 4 2500/3500 trucks are hard to come by but they are out there.
Agreed, the only time I've used it towing was in campgrounds, usually when the grass is wet.
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