Tow Vehicle Advise Needed

[Trynforpar]

I currently pull a 12,000 lb Jayco 5th wheel with a 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel with added air suspension. I am looking to upgrade my tow vehicle to a dually and I was wondering if it is better to get a 4x4 or stick to a rear wheel drive to save gas. Any recommendations?

[jenoble99]

It depends on where you live. I have a 4WD truck and wouldn't go back to 2WD. If the roads are nasty a a quick turn of the knob makes traveling much easier. I have used 4WD in campgrounds even. Trying to back up on levelers in tiny loose gravel at one campground in particular necessitated 4Wd. I even used 4 low and idled the trailer onto the ramps. If your daily driving conditions require 4WD I would get it. If you stay on dry pavement I wouldn't worry about it. You just need to evaluate your needs and go from there.

[Flyrotor]

Personally I don't think you'll see enough fuel savings to warrant the loss of 4x4 when you need it. The cost between 4x4 and 2wd will be more than the fuel savings.

I wouldn't give up 4x4 for anything, I think you would be sorry in the long run

[carey965]

i would never give up 4wd, its great for the camp sites so you dont tear up the grass and with my boat i never have to worry about the ramp i am backing into, i would say go for it cause it only really hurts your fuel econ when you are using 4wd, if your in 2wd you will get close if not just as good as a similar 2wd counterpart

[Paulx213]

If you currently have 2wd have you found yourself in a situation where you wished you have 4wd? Is so themselves it's likely worth it. If not the you'll find the dual rear wheels give you lots of traction.

I really don't think you'll save much on fuel going 2wd on a truck that big but you will save some on the purchase price and long term repairs and maintenance.

[Seann45]

I have 4x4 and found it is just a pain... wish I had rear wheel drive truck.. (dealer would not even order one for me)

[judgerr]

First trip with then new camper and new to me truck. Parked on grass. Very wet when ready to leave needed 4x4 to get out to road. Have used it many times since. Next truck will be 4x4 as well!

[NewBlackDak]

Where do you live, and where/how do you camp? For me, it takes 4x4 just to get home from work if the plows haven't run during an afternoon storm. Our favorite place to boondock takes us up a nasty fire road. I swear it rains just before we go, every time. We would never make it without 4x4.

[clutch]

We live in North Idaho where we get winter driving conditions. Dealers don't want two wheel drive trucks of any kind as they are hard to sell.

[owenssailor]

Sean45 - how do you find 4x4 to be a pain?

[Pitch1]

Yes, I wonder what would be a pain also. I have always had 4wd never once did I know it was even there until I used it.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by owenssailor

Sean45 - how do you find 4x4 to be a pain?

Extra maintenance required for them. Servicing the transfer case. Mileage penalty even when in 2x4 mode. (I do over 20,000 miles a year towing) I have found that a limited slip or posi rear end is as good as 4x4 for 99.975% of the time

[Tail_gunner]

I have to say 4x4 is the way to go.

This past summer we went camping after several days of wet weather. The grassy ground was full of moisture, not muddy, but still damp. As I was adjusting the final parking position of the trailer, the moist ground decided it didn't want to offer any more traction to either rear tire. There was no more moving the trailer in 2wd. Thankfully I had 4wd available so I didn't tear up the campsite much. Without 4wd I may have buried both rear wheels up to the axle to no avail.

[KachFam]

I would only have a 4x4 truck. The Pacific NW is hilly and I frequently need the traction when backing the trailer up a hill or pulling out up a hill. I also do a fair amount of off-road driving, so I get my money's worth there as well. I do my own maintenance/fluids so no worries for me there. Resale difference is huge around here - I'm not sure about other parts of the country. I know in the southwest I notice a lot more 2x4 SUV's and trucks on the road.

[Pitch1]

We went out to my BIL's hunting land to boondock this summer. Pulled up hill half a mile on a muddy tractor path. At the top I used 4 low to jockey the trailer into position. No 2wd locking or not would have made it a hundred feet off the service road. I am no stranger to 2wd trucks.

[Bovellois]

There is nothing more frustrating than having tons of power and weight on the front of the truck and be held back by a patch of ice under the feather light rear axle. With a 1/2 ton, 2x4 is acceptable, but 3/4 ton and higher, it's worth having traction on the front as well.

[Old Blue]

I have had both and would never go back to a 2 wheel drive truck. Even the DW her car is 4x4

[norty1]

I have been prevented from going to any campsite I wanted but once w/ my 4X2, that said, I am glad we have a choice.

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by norty1

I have been prevented from going to any campsite I wanted but once w/ my 4X2, that said, I am glad we have a choice.

That's why asked the type of camping. 90% of ours is boondocking on BLM land. 4x4 is a must.

[mcfarmall]

Having owned 2wd trucks my whole life, I broke down and got my current truck (2011) with 4wd and from here on out, I'll never go back to 2wd. I use it very frequently and most recently during our blast of wintry weather have not taken it out of 4wd in about 5 days straight. As others have stated, just a twist of a dial and I can pull out of the sloppiest intersection or travel down a drifted country road. Nope, I'm not going back.

4wd option = $3500

Peace of mind = priceless.