Whats your all opinion on 2WD vs 4 WD for pulling a Travel Trail. It seems that 98 % of the new 250 I have seen are 4 wd vehicles. Basically is it worth the extra expense for a 4wd and would a 2wd pull just as good in most circumstances?

 

If you have no need for the 4wd, the 2wd will pull the trailer just fine. Resale will be a bit more difficult. I just checked the inventory of the largest F series dealer in the USA. Woodhouse Ford in Blair, Nebraska. Out of 137 2011 F250 diesels in stock, not one 2wd. I find that quite interesting.

Regards

 

For me 4x4 needed.
I live is snow country, at the top of a hill.
2WD, I would be walking home during snow storms..

Flat landers, different story.
4x4 does sit higher

 

Go with the 4WD. Unless you never take your travel trailer off of the pavement, 4wd helps if you end up on soft ground.

 

I too live in the midwest snow belt and with the proper tires and driving technique I can report that in over 34 years of driving I have NEVER gotten stuck in a 2wd truck...NEVER. And I get much better gas mileage, less maintenance, am markedly quicker than a comparably equipped 4wd truck but will admit am worth much less at trade in due to low demand for 2wd vehicles.

 

It depends on the circumstances of the tow.

I'd say for 99% of the time a 2WD truck will do great with a travel trailer. It has a lower center of gravity, less weight, and will handle the load with ease.

The question is if you plan on operating your truck and trailer in circumstances with less than adequate traction. I've been in situations where I've needed 4WD to get out of a gravel parking lot before, as well as times in snow and ice where 2WD wouldn't have gotten the job done.

Remember that towing a trailer makes it MUCH easier to get stuck, because you have lots of weight that's resting on unpowered axles.

The 2WD truck would do fine for most circumstances, but if it were me I'd go 4WD just for those few times you may need it.

 

I have a 4x2 dually.. just for towing my car hauler to shows..

but I needed to move the trailer on my back lot last winter, with the car in the trailer.. didn't realize how soft the ground was.. truck and trailer stuck..
had to winch the truck out, wait til it dried some, unload the car from the trailer, and use my suburban to get the trailer moved..

if it had been a 4x4 this would have been no brainer..

now I need to build a road to the back where my shop is.

sam

 

Get 4wd....the 2wd has a twin I beam front suspension which is not good for tire wear on a loaded truck bc the weight changes the geometry of the front suspension causing the wheels to tilt in causing more wear on the inside than out....the 4wd trucks have a solid axle which does not change geometry when loaded which leads to more even tire ware

 

First 4X4 I ever owned was my '08 F250 and my current truck is the 2nd. I've always towed trailers and with 2wd you kinda know your limitations and just don't push your luck. Never was an issue.

I will say with 100% certainty that I will never own a 2wd truck again. The 4X4 made by Ford is not only more capable by virtue of the 4wd but the added weight and the front axle (as mentioned above) make the truck very stable as a tow vehicle. I'm sure this is just a opinion of mine that is not based on scientific study, but the weight of the truck really makes a difference for me. And, I no longer have to worry about waiting for the right weather to drive in the grass (I used to have to get the boat out on dry days just in case I went fishing on Sat. and then put it back whenever the yard dried out again).

 

Having 4 Wheel drive is like carrying a condom in your wallet....you know....just in case!

 

Except if you let 4x4 sit as long as the condom unused, it to will fail and let you down when you need it the most

 

I gave this a lot of thought before ordering my new truck. In the end I went with 4WD again. Twice this year I needed 4WD to get out of a campsite. And I ended up on one hill that taxed my truck so much I ended up using 4 wheel low. Made going up the hill a cake walk.

My driveway is a little steep and sometimes I'll use 4 wheel low to back in.

 

I have only owned 2wd ford trucks (1) f150 and (2)f350's. i ordered a 4wd this time. I can't tell you how many times i have gotten stuck in my front yard turning a trailer around. Or when going to our lot (future home site) and being careful not to pull to far off the road with the trailer for fear of getting stuck. i think i'll be happy w/the 4wd.

 

IMO the answer to your question is yes, a 2WD can pull as well as a 4WD in most circumstances, but considering resale value, cost difference relative to the total price of the truck, functionality and piece of mind I would say 4WD is the only way to go.

 

In regards to towing capacity, Ford actually has the 2wd rated to tow more than the 4wd.

According to Ford's website....

F-250 6.7 CC 2wd 14,000#
F-250 6.7 CC 4wd 12,600#