Pickup Trucks- 2wd vs 4wd

[Zee09]

I have never owned a 2WD pickup
Always purchased 4wd only
Started thinking that I only used the 4wd from 5-20 times a year.
20 times was a record snow here

In the early 80's a shop I worked for had a small 2wd diesel truck and it went through deep snow like a champ.

I don't see many listings for new 2wd trucks here but when I do the price is absolutely great.
I need a pulling monster- looking at 3500's and 350's- I'm tempted to go with a 2wd and save a fortune.
What is on the lots here the price isn't $2-3K more for 4wd but deep discounts make most 2wd $10k+ less

This is the East Coast. I drove many GM 2wd vans in heavy snow for a few decades no issues- but they were
always heavily loaded. Do you think that you could live with a 2wd truck and not feel as if you cheaped out
and got something lesser than needed?

Then I look back to a F350 Diesel 4wd I bought new- Until I changed out the factory supplied tires if was
horrible in snow- The oem were Conti's

 

[Snagglefoot]

I had a two wheel drive Ford Ranger. Got it stuck in 4 inches of snow and ice. Never again.

 

[khittner]

I've driven a 2WD Dodge truck through Wisconsin and Michigan winters for the last 24 years. Inexpensive Firestone Winterforce snow tires on the rear axle, and 280lbs of sand bags in the bed, have always gotten me wherever I needed to go.

 

[Brigadier]

Born and raised in upstate NY. My dad never had a 4WD truck. He never had dedicated snow tires or chains. But he did have manual transmissions, and it was easy to start out in 2nd gear. And he never had a problem getting around. He did build a wooden box that straddled the wheel wells in the box and fill it with about 500+ pounds of rocks every year for winter, though.

And with today's 3PMS rated all terrain tires available, I bet it wouldn't be that big of a deal.

My previous vehicle was a 2006 Colorado 4WD Z71. When I had the Michelin LTX AT2 tires on it, I NEEDED 4WD in the snow. When I put the GY DuraTracs on it, I got around fine in the snow in 2WD. YMMV.

 

[Zee09]

Originally Posted By: khittner
I've driven a 2WD Dodge truck through Wisconsin and Michigan winters for the last 24 years. Inexpensive Firestone Winterforce snow tires on the rear axle, and 280lbs of sand bags in the bed, have always gotten me wherever I needed to go.


That is what we did with the shops 2wd truck in the 80's
Weight right over the axle-thanks

 

[supton]

I went from LTX to iPike on my 4x4 and in RWD the change was massive, more than I expected. it's still light in the rear, and it will still spin a tire if not careful.

IMO, if shopping half ton I'd opt for 4x4 for resale value. But since you're shopping a work truck that will be used for towing I'd go 2WD also. I suspect (have not looked) that towing rating will go up due to less stuff on the truck. Not sure I'd want to pay for those snow tires but if you've got weight in the truck I suspect you'll be fine.

Just how much do you need to drive this in the snow? Is it a work vehicle, or a weekend warrior? I'm wondering if a beater Subaru might make sense as a spare vehicle.

 

[Zee09]

Originally Posted By: supton
I went from LTX to iPike on my 4x4 and in RWD the change was massive, more than I expected. it's still light in the rear, and it will still spin a tire if not careful.

IMO, if shopping half ton I'd opt for 4x4 for resale value. But since you're shopping a work truck that will be used for towing I'd go 2WD also. I suspect (have not looked) that towing rating will go up due to less stuff on the truck. Not sure I'd want to pay for those snow tires but if you've got weight in the truck I suspect you'll be fine.

Just how much do you need to drive this in the snow? Is it a work vehicle, or a weekend warrior? I'm wondering if a beater Subaru might make sense as a spare vehicle.


Just like most- you sort of need it when it snows- not on the road but to get on the road usually
Here we have long driveways out in the country and MD takes quick care of the roads but you get the front
of your driveway loaded up with high snow as the plows go by. I really never had an issue on the road.
As I get older unless I need to be out in the snow- I don't bother.

I could live with the 2wd- but it is a compromise. Maybe that's in my head only?

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Zee09
Originally Posted By: supton
I went from LTX to iPike on my 4x4 and in RWD the change was massive, more than I expected. it's still light in the rear, and it will still spin a tire if not careful.

IMO, if shopping half ton I'd opt for 4x4 for resale value. But since you're shopping a work truck that will be used for towing I'd go 2WD also. I suspect (have not looked) that towing rating will go up due to less stuff on the truck. Not sure I'd want to pay for those snow tires but if you've got weight in the truck I suspect you'll be fine.

Just how much do you need to drive this in the snow? Is it a work vehicle, or a weekend warrior? I'm wondering if a beater Subaru might make sense as a spare vehicle.


Just like most- you sort of need it when it snows- not on the road but to get on the road usually
Here we have long driveways out in the country and MD takes quick care of the roads but you get the front
of your driveway loaded up with high snow as the plows go by. I really never had an issue on the road.
As I get older unless I need to be out in the snow- I don't bother.

I could live with the 2wd- but it is a compromise. Maybe that's in my head only?


Pretty much! I use 4WD just a handful of times a year, and I live in semi-rural NH at that. Plow takes care of the road quite well, I shovel before I drive, and I avoid driving in snow when I can (I like driving in snow but why bother).

Now, if I moved just a few miles onto a dirt road that got plowed last, did lots of dirt road travel, up/down hills, then my opinion would be different. But I think if I were to stay in somewhat flat areas, my next truck might be 2WD. I like having 4WD but I have to admit, I use mine very very little.

 

[Snagglefoot]

If your daughter’s boyfriend shows up in a two wheel drive pickup, she doesn’t have a boyfriend, she has a girlfriend.

 

[redhat]

Originally Posted By: Brigadier
Born and raised in upstate NY. My dad never had a 4WD truck. He never had dedicated snow tires or chains. But he did have manual transmissions, and it was easy to start out in 2nd gear. And he never had a problem getting around. He did build a wooden box that straddled the wheel wells in the box and fill it with about 500+ pounds of rocks every year for winter, though.

And with today's 3PMS rated all terrain tires available, I bet it wouldn't be that big of a deal.

My previous vehicle was a 2006 Colorado 4WD Z71. When I had the Michelin LTX AT2 tires on it, I NEEDED 4WD in the snow. When I put the GY DuraTracs on it, I got around fine in the snow in 2WD. YMMV.


Yes, a friend of mine had DuraTracs on the back of a 2WD Ranger and always got around great. Dad gets just about anywhere with his posi-equipped 2WD 5-speed S10 with WinterForces on the back.

 

[khittner]

Originally Posted By: Brigadier
Born and raised in upstate NY. My dad never had a 4WD truck. He never had dedicated snow tires or chains. But he did have manual transmissions, and it was easy to start out in 2nd gear. And he never had a problem getting around. He did build a wooden box that straddled the wheel wells in the box and fill it with about 500+ pounds of rocks every year for winter, though.



My 2WD Dodge Dakota has a manual transmission, too, and 2nd-gear starts in the slick stuff are easily done. You can do 2nd-gear starts with some, but not all, current automatics.

 

[billt460]

Originally Posted By: Zee09
Do you think that you could live with a 2wd truck and not feel as if you cheaped out
and got something lesser than needed?


I have never owned, or felt the need or desire to own a 4-WD of any kind. That includes now with both my F-150 and Jeep Grand Cherokee. (Both are 2-WD). I lived and drove in Chicago Winters for decades without a 4-WD of any kind. And I never regretted it, or got stuck because of it. So it only stood to reason that living in the Arizona desert where there is no snow, and very little rain, I would need it even less.

If someone were heavily into off road trail riding, then I could see it. But for driving on pavement it simply doesn't offer anything except increased cost and maintenance. And with my Jeep, the 2-WD version has more towing capacity than the 4-WD with everything else equal. I'm not saying or suggesting 4-WD is "bad". It just isn't required for most of the people who think they "need" it.

Now, if you simply want it, then by all means get it. Especially if you feel it will afford you a better nights sleep.

 

[khittner]

Originally Posted By: Snagglefoot
If your daughter’s boyfriend shows up in a two wheel drive pickup, she doesn’t have a boyfriend, she has a girlfriend.

This marketing-driven attitude, not real need for 4WD capabilities, is what sells most 4WD/AWD vehicles. Manufacturers and bankers are happy to separate willing egos from their cash.

 

[billt460]

Originally Posted By: khittner
Originally Posted By: Snagglefoot
If your daughter’s boyfriend shows up in a two wheel drive pickup, she doesn’t have a boyfriend, she has a girlfriend.

This marketing-driven attitude, not real need for 4WD capabilities, is what sells most 4WD/AWD vehicles. Manufacturers and bankers are happy to separate willing egos from their cash.


Agree 100%.

 

[demarpaint]

It depends on where you live. Me, I'd never buy a 2WD PU truck. Opinions vary.

 

[Zee09]

Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: khittner
Originally Posted By: Snagglefoot
If your daughter’s boyfriend shows up in a two wheel drive pickup, she doesn’t have a boyfriend, she has a girlfriend.

This marketing-driven attitude, not real need for 4WD capabilities, is what sells most 4WD/AWD vehicles. Manufacturers and bankers are happy to separate willing egos from their cash.


Agree 100%.


Great point
When I was younger 'overkill" was the way to go
Now- I try to get what I need when I need it.
Why be a slave to things you don't need?

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Snagglefoot
If your daughter’s boyfriend shows up in a two wheel drive pickup, she doesn’t have a boyfriend, she has a girlfriend.

Ha!

 

[Delta]

I had no issues last winter with my 2wd S10 in the snow. Having said that I have a Detroit Locker and put about 300lbs of sand in the back. It does make the rear end a little tail happy, but having a manual and 3.42 gears is a plus. I got caught in a spring storm this year without the sand in the back when it snowed 6". They did not plow the mountain yet, but it made it like a champ. Infact the 4wd truck ahead of me was having more issues than I was. I lugged it in 3rd going up and used 2nd going down with no throttle or brakes; it held its own. Only trouble I had was the end of my street is on an incline and I had to stop. It spun for all it could and was sliding sideways, but I kept my foot in it and made it to the main road. It's also in knowing how to drive...

Having said that my next truck will be 4wd, but it isn't 100% needed. If it snows that bad, you need to stay off the road and let the state/county/town do their job.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Delta
Having said that my next truck will be 4wd, but it isn't 100% needed. If it snows that bad, you need to stay off the road and let the state/county/town do their job.


I park my truck in my lower driveway; there is about 100' of unmaintained road that someone plows, eventually. It slopes upwards. I have snowblowed it on occasion, but not too often. There are times where I want to drive through that but I'm not going to shovel it, not when someone else gets paid to do so. 4WD is nice there. As is when I pull stuck cars on this road. It also isn't too easy to buy 2WD's in this region.

But you do point out the manual transmission issue. The automatic sure makes wheelspin into a problem.

 

[UncleDave]

As with everything - You have to have the right tool for the right job.

If your truck simply hauls people, or "offroad" means driving down a dirt road, then 2WD is probably fine.

Lots of tradesman trucks drywall trucks, just drive around town with stuff in eth bed - why spend the money and pay the mileage penalty?

There are many reasons one might need 4WD -If you need to pull a 7500-pound boat up a slippery launch ramp at low tide a 2WD simply isn't going to cut it.

For me a 2WD truck simply has too many holes in its capability for me to buy one, everything I have is either AWD or 4 WD- because I need that functionality.




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