How often have you needed 4WD while towing, or how handicapped have you been with a 2WD tow rig?

I see lots of good prices for 3/4T and 1T 2WD trucks.

Bruce Pryor

Unless you live in an area that you will need 4x4 regularly to traverse the streets, 2WD will be more than enough. I grew up in snow country and didn't get my first 4WD until ten years after I left it.

IMO, you don't need a 4x4 to tow.

With winter wheeling ands snow runs it is a must.

well not a must but a advantage.

Originally posted by Monkeyboy
With winter wheeling ands snow runs it is a must.

well not a must but a advantage.

If you're pulling a trailer over Donner caltrans/ CHP will still make you chain a 4x4 tow rig.

Originally posted by Monkeyboy
With winter wheeling ands snow runs it is a must.

well not a must but a advantage.

I was going to make a smart ass remark, but then I realized you're from California. :D :flipoff2:

I thought the same thing at one time - who needs 4wd on a tow rig, right?

Sold it, got a 4wd :p

Your call, but too often I find myself dragging a trailer through fields, muddy parking areas, etc. and the first time you have to unload the trail rid to get the tow rig un-stuck you will curse the pennies you tried to save by getting a 2wd ;)

Originally posted by 70~K5


If you're pulling a trailer over Donner caltrans/ CHP will still make you chain a 4x4 tow rig.
Not on highway 4

and that highway turns into a packed snow road in the winter.

Originally posted by DRM
I thought the same thing at one time - who needs 4wd on a tow rig, right?

Sold it, got a 4wd :p

Your call, but too often I find myself dragging a trailer through fields, muddy parking areas, etc. and the first time you have to unload the trail rid to get the tow rig un-stuck you will curse the pennies you tried to save by getting a 2wd ;)

Well, if I get into that situation, I guess I'll curse myself, but I haven't been stuck on anything other than a big rock. Guess those years on the farm back east paid off. Didn't have a 4x4 then, don't figure I'll need one now. But then the terrain out here is not that in TN, so guess we're talking apples and oranges.

Originally posted by Monkeyboy

Not on highway 4

and that highway turns into a packed snow road in the winter.

Well this last feb. they wanted 1 truck axle and 1 trailer axle chained on DONNER I-80 if you were pulling a trailer with a 4x4. A all wheel drive or 4x4 without a trailer didn't need to chain. Was stuck at the bug station as they had the summitt closed for 2 hrs clearing wrecks before they let every one go.

When I lived in Soda Springs from '78 to '81 I saw times they wouldn't let anything on I-80 without chains. Then there was times I was on the hill when it was closed cause I had a pass for our tow truck. Those times I had both ends of a K30 dually tow truck chained up to clear wrecks or stuck cars so the plows and blowers could clear the roads.

most of the places I wheel at require at least moderate off-road travel of the tow rig.. otherwise, you are leaving the tow rig in BFE and nowhere near the base campsite...
I prefer to have all of my stuff in one place so I can keep an eye on it.. so the tow rig is a definite 4x4.

Esspecially with a diesel, it's real easy to get stuck with a 2wd.

As long as you're just going to be on paved roads, you can get by with 2wd, but sooner or later you'll get stuck. Snow, off road, even pulling off on the shoulder could also cause it. You may never need it, but if you do, you'll be thankful.
~John

Originally posted by DRM
I thought the same thing at one time - who needs 4wd on a tow rig, right?

Sold it, got a 4wd :p

Your call, but too often I find myself dragging a trailer through fields, muddy parking areas, etc. and the first time you have to unload the trail rid to get the tow rig un-stuck you will curse the pennies you tried to save by getting a 2wd ;)

I've had to unload my rig twice from the trailer to get unstuck. I didn't have to pull the tow rig out with my truck, it was ok without all the weight on the trailer - but I'm sure that day is coming. Get 4x4 if you can afford it. If you can't, a 2x4 will still be much better than no tow rig.

Thanks for the comments and experience.

I've flat towed for many years and many miles with a Jeep Utility Wagon, a Jeep pickup, an Isuzu trooper, and now the Dakota, all 4WD. But almost no off-road towing. (and no flat towing problems, either)

I've been looking at trailers but it will put me over GCVW with the Dakota. That's why I was thinking about something heavier.

I think I'll hold out for a good 4WD instead of a good cheaper 2WD.

i have needed 4wd with my tow rigs several times. not alot but when i need it it is there and i am glad i had it.

Originally posted by High5
i have needed 4wd with my tow rigs several times. not alot but when i need it it is there and i am glad i had it.

I consider it about like a winch... Most of the time it sits there doing nothing, but when you need it - you NEED it, and not having it leaves you in a bit of a pickle ;)

I would get a 4wd beacuse it will hold it's value better and one day you will most likely regret it by getting stuck or not haveing the option of 4wd.

this may not apply to you but try loading a boat on a shallow ramp with a 2wd...PITA and quite often you will get stuck on the ramp cause its slimey:D...

I haven't needed 4wd to move my trailer in a LONG time. But then again I can remember times where I not only needed 4wd, but also "MT" tires on the tow rig if I was to have any chance at all. We went ahead & got 4wd on ours since it also serves as our Winter "snow" vehicle, and I'm glad we did.


TEX

Locking diff makes a difference!

2500HD Crew Cab with a 6.0 gas. In the past 18 months... only had one occasion when I needed the 4WD. Figured if I got stuck, have a fellow club member use my FJ40 to assist getting me up the road, from "old camp" at Barnwell Mountain.

Admitted in Central Texas we don't see much snow or ice.

Irony... four kids now, the the Crew Cab is too small! I love my truck, but find myself looking at Suburbans and others... Starting the think a Toyota Sequoia might make the most sense. Towing capacity is 6500 pounds, so possible with FJ40 & trailer...

Irony... I get a car allowance for work, $500 monthly. Catch is unlike a company lease... if I'm laid off I am "stuck" with what I bought. Sequoia holds a better resell value compared to the Suburban the first few years (nothing worst than being laid off, AND having $600/month car payment.... I really want a beater, but work would be pissed at me... at least I wouldn't have car payments after getting laid off!)

Tom :usa:

P.S. Currenly a 2002 2500HD Crew Cab 2wd can ge found for $22K... about $26K for a 4wd.... how often do you really need the 4wd? Buddy managed to get a OPEN DIFF rear end on his Crew Cab Ford... lots of fun getting boats out of the water. Same boat and trailer... not an issue for me. Just watch it if you stomp on the gas on a slick road... rear end comes around, fun with a big truck!

If you can swing it, get a 4WD. I've been stuck 3 times with my 2WD dually. Once leaving the Rubicon staging area at Loon Lake with a trailer, once flat towing out of JV and once with the trailer coming out of JV.

Originally posted by RE:Todd
If you can swing it, get a 4WD. I've been stuck 3 times with my 2WD dually. Once leaving the Rubicon staging area at Loon Lake with a trailer, once flat towing out of JV and once with the trailer coming out of JV.


I seem to remember the last one. :flipoff2:

Originally posted by roundrocktom
2500HD Crew Cab with a 6.0 gas. ...Starting the think a Toyota Sequoia might make the most sense. Towing capacity is 6500 pounds, so possible with FJ40 & trailer...

You will NOT be happy downgrading to a 1/2 ton vehicle from a 1-ton. Stick to the Sub if you go the Utility route.


TEX

Originally posted by TEX


You will NOT be happy downgrading to a 1/2 ton vehicle from a 1-ton. Stick to the Sub if you go the Utility route.


TEX

or if you want a diesel get an excursion PS:D

I bought a 2 wheel dtive cuz I already have 2 4x4s.:D

Originally posted by TXLUGNUT
I bought a 2 wheel dtive cuz I already have 2 4x4s.:D

It was a bit the way I was thinking. Two 4wd's and a 3/4 2wd before buying the towrig. And with the trailer I want, I wouldn't be trying to tow it to where I'd get stuck anyways. I doubt a 4x4 dually would tow it well.

It all boils down to what works for where you're going. I didn't need a 4x4 to tow me there.

I'll never have a 2wd tow rig unless it is a big truck and I can't get 4wd easily.

CJ

I need 4wd tow rig just because of wher on my property I need to stash the rig and trailer (and big ugly tow rig for that matter). The ground is soft and mossy, and snow covered in winter.

It totally sucks to get your tow-rig stuck, particularly if your trailer/rig is attached.

Heck - 4wd is barely sufficient - I'm thinking about a locker or spool for my tow rig.

I guess environment will be a big part of the decision.