Solely used on road 2wd is probably better overall, challenging terrain wants 4wd
Pickup Trucks- 2wd vs 4wd
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Originally Posted By: DoubleWasp
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
WTH are you guys doing with your trucks?
Enjoying the great outdoors, and work.
I can name the boat ramps off of the top of my head that you are not escaping in 2WD with an empty boat trailer. Had to strap people up plenty of times to get them out of that.
The other contender is sugar sand. 99% of our nature parks are feet-deep sugar sand. You're not getting in or out in a 2WD truck. Where there isn't that, there's actively fed mud.
It's rare to see a 2WD truck out there, but if you do, it's probably being towed out.
From the posts a lot of people never make it off of the pavement. No one goes offroad and wishes their 4x4 was 4x2. We've had so much rain here a lot of people need 4x4 to get out of their yard.
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
WTH are you guys doing with your trucks?
Enjoying the great outdoors, and work.
I can name the boat ramps off of the top of my head that you are not escaping in 2WD with an empty boat trailer. Had to strap people up plenty of times to get them out of that.
The other contender is sugar sand. 99% of our nature parks are feet-deep sugar sand. You're not getting in or out in a 2WD truck. Where there isn't that, there's actively fed mud.
It's rare to see a 2WD truck out there, but if you do, it's probably being towed out.
From the posts a lot of people never make it off of the pavement. No one goes offroad and wishes their 4x4 was 4x2. We've had so much rain here a lot of people need 4x4 to get out of their yard.
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I use my truck for boating.
You’re not pulling a 4500lb boat out of the water on a dirt ramp with a 2wd truck. End of story.
Even on grooved concrete ramps you may need 4x4. Even with new tires, a locking diff, sometimes you need that extra grip. Oh and 4LO so you don’t burn the clutch out. That’s the most important feature.
You’re not pulling a 4500lb boat out of the water on a dirt ramp with a 2wd truck. End of story.
Even on grooved concrete ramps you may need 4x4. Even with new tires, a locking diff, sometimes you need that extra grip. Oh and 4LO so you don’t burn the clutch out. That’s the most important feature.
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Originally Posted By: oilpsi2high
I use my truck for boating.
You’re not pulling a 4500lb boat out of the water on a dirt ramp with a 2wd truck. End of story.
Even on grooved concrete ramps you may need 4x4. Even with new tires, a locking diff, sometimes you need that extra grip. Oh and 4LO so you don’t burn the clutch out. That’s the most important feature.
Thank you. Compared to those who have never towed and are commenting...........
I use my truck for boating.
You’re not pulling a 4500lb boat out of the water on a dirt ramp with a 2wd truck. End of story.
Even on grooved concrete ramps you may need 4x4. Even with new tires, a locking diff, sometimes you need that extra grip. Oh and 4LO so you don’t burn the clutch out. That’s the most important feature.
Thank you. Compared to those who have never towed and are commenting...........
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
I drop a boat regularly at several different ramps around here. It's only a 17 footer but it's very heavy. An old Mariah with an I/O.
Never even spun a tire. Yet I see folks at the exact same ramp spinning and roaring trying to get up. There may be something to the actual driving style.
I remember hanging at Lake Seminole when my kids were little. While they played me and the Wife would laugh at the ramp antics, very amusing.
We have some ramps here that have algae that it harder to walk on than ice. Even wearing aqua shoes and a bathing suit, I will climb into the back of the truck rather than dare walk on it. I've seen people slip and bust their butt walking on the asphalt, just from the slime dragged up by exiting boats.
I've also pulled out a lot of boats usingy Navigator on fairly notorious ramps, without spin, but as the weight of the boat goes up, the chances of exiting go down.
I drop a boat regularly at several different ramps around here. It's only a 17 footer but it's very heavy. An old Mariah with an I/O.
Never even spun a tire. Yet I see folks at the exact same ramp spinning and roaring trying to get up. There may be something to the actual driving style.
I remember hanging at Lake Seminole when my kids were little. While they played me and the Wife would laugh at the ramp antics, very amusing.
We have some ramps here that have algae that it harder to walk on than ice. Even wearing aqua shoes and a bathing suit, I will climb into the back of the truck rather than dare walk on it. I've seen people slip and bust their butt walking on the asphalt, just from the slime dragged up by exiting boats.
I've also pulled out a lot of boats usingy Navigator on fairly notorious ramps, without spin, but as the weight of the boat goes up, the chances of exiting go down.
Originally Posted By: CKN
Originally Posted By: oilpsi2high
I use my truck for boating.
You’re not pulling a 4500lb boat out of the water on a dirt ramp with a 2wd truck. End of story.
Even on grooved concrete ramps you may need 4x4. Even with new tires, a locking diff, sometimes you need that extra grip. Oh and 4LO so you don’t burn the clutch out. That’s the most important feature.
Thank you. Compared to those who have never towed and are commenting...........
I have towed close to 400,000 miles with a 120 hp 2wd 1982 Diesel suburban in Wisconsin and the UP winter and summer from back when I did craft shows. Sometimes I’ve had up to 10,000 lbs behind.
but the biggest boat I’ve had is an 18’ aluminum boat so no need to worry about getting stuck on ramps
, i typically was towing an enclosed trailer, a 24’ camper and occasionally both at the same time.
Not all of us are trying to dump a Catamaran into the ocean.
It’s not as though we live in Montana trying to go up a rock trail on snow covered mountain either
Originally Posted By: oilpsi2high
I use my truck for boating.
You’re not pulling a 4500lb boat out of the water on a dirt ramp with a 2wd truck. End of story.
Even on grooved concrete ramps you may need 4x4. Even with new tires, a locking diff, sometimes you need that extra grip. Oh and 4LO so you don’t burn the clutch out. That’s the most important feature.
Thank you. Compared to those who have never towed and are commenting...........
I have towed close to 400,000 miles with a 120 hp 2wd 1982 Diesel suburban in Wisconsin and the UP winter and summer from back when I did craft shows. Sometimes I’ve had up to 10,000 lbs behind.
but the biggest boat I’ve had is an 18’ aluminum boat so no need to worry about getting stuck on ramps
, i typically was towing an enclosed trailer, a 24’ camper and occasionally both at the same time.
Not all of us are trying to dump a Catamaran into the ocean.
It’s not as though we live in Montana trying to go up a rock trail on snow covered mountain either
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2026
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: Snagglefoot
98 % of two wheel drive truck owners would be fine with a Chevy Impala. They don’t really need a truck.
Absolutely correct.
Right, because the Impala will move this.
I will give you one trillion dollars a day for one hundred trillion centuries if you can show where I said that.
Did you read my post right underneath it, but you did agree with him. Just saying.
I get people wanting 4X4, especially at boat ramps, plenty of boats here in the Pacnorwest and where I grew up on the Hudson river. The Vast majority of trucks don't see more than pavement. I don't know many people who take there 40 to 60,000 dollar truck off-roading. There are tons a places you need I am sure, but if you are not going there, then you can do just fine with something like my truck.
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: Snagglefoot
98 % of two wheel drive truck owners would be fine with a Chevy Impala. They don’t really need a truck.
Absolutely correct.
Right, because the Impala will move this.
I will give you one trillion dollars a day for one hundred trillion centuries if you can show where I said that.
Did you read my post right underneath it, but you did agree with him. Just saying.
I get people wanting 4X4, especially at boat ramps, plenty of boats here in the Pacnorwest and where I grew up on the Hudson river. The Vast majority of trucks don't see more than pavement. I don't know many people who take there 40 to 60,000 dollar truck off-roading. There are tons a places you need I am sure, but if you are not going there, then you can do just fine with something like my truck.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2026
I am late... I was out camping all weekend. No cell service is nice.
I am in Canada and my current (and so far only) truck is 2WD.
I don't offroad and yes, I use it in the winter. Snow tires and some landscaping tiles in the bed makes it acceptable in the snow. Even on forest roads.
The only time I ever needed 4x4 is when I used my truck to put a boat in the water. When I tried pulling up, my rear wheels were in the mud with no traction. 4x4 would have pulled me out of this situation, but I chained my wife's FWD van to my truck and by using both vehicles we got it out of the water. That was so far the only situation where I actually needed 4x4. That happened once in 8 years of ownership. I don't even own a boat, I was helping out my inlaws.
One VERY important advantage to me 2WD usually has over 4x4 is bed height, which is usually lower since the suspension isn't that high and tires/wheels are usually a bit smaller. Makes it easier to load & unload whatever is in the bed.
Buy 4x4 if you like, it's your money after all and you may actually need it depending on how you use the truck. 2WD fits my needs.
I don't offroad and yes, I use it in the winter. Snow tires and some landscaping tiles in the bed makes it acceptable in the snow. Even on forest roads.
The only time I ever needed 4x4 is when I used my truck to put a boat in the water. When I tried pulling up, my rear wheels were in the mud with no traction. 4x4 would have pulled me out of this situation, but I chained my wife's FWD van to my truck and by using both vehicles we got it out of the water. That was so far the only situation where I actually needed 4x4. That happened once in 8 years of ownership. I don't even own a boat, I was helping out my inlaws.
One VERY important advantage to me 2WD usually has over 4x4 is bed height, which is usually lower since the suspension isn't that high and tires/wheels are usually a bit smaller. Makes it easier to load & unload whatever is in the bed.
Buy 4x4 if you like, it's your money after all and you may actually need it depending on how you use the truck. 2WD fits my needs.
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