Hi there, new user here, I am looking at a 2003 f350 v-10 with 4:3 for pulling my 29` 5th wheel, I have been told to get a 4x4 over a 4x2, I don`t go anywhere where I would need a 4x4..All opinions will be greatly appreciated....Thanx in advance.....LaGrange

 

4X2 work a lot better for towing 5vers because they allow more trailer to truck bed clearance when hooked up because they don't have the spacer blocks that the 4X4 have. They also have better ride and a little better fuel economy, the resale in some areas isn't to great but they are cheaper to buy when new without the 4X4 option. The one thing that I would insist on is a limited slip rear end, the truck you are looking at has 4.30 gears so I am almost sure that it will be a LS. I have pulled 5vers for 18 years and had PU slide in campers 9 years before that and have never had a 4X4. IMO if you don't think that you will use 4X4 than buy the 4X2, you will probably get a good deal because it's not a 4X4.

Denny

 

IMHO>>>4 WD has it's advantages and specific applications where needed, but pulling a TT down the road isn't one of them. I'm sure you'll get the, "the first time you get stuck in a park, and have to call a tow-truck.......", but on the other side of that argument. There's always someone there who has spent the extra money and who is worrying about all the other associated maintenance costs....who is always looking to justify his decision. (read as)., pulls you out of your mud hole.

 

La Grange, you are going to get a whole bunch of good reasons for getting a 4X4 ..........better resale, saves you from a crash in a blizzard, etc. etc. all good reasons but because you tow a fifth wheel here is a great reason for 4X4. If you have an automatic tranny and you are in a situation where you have to back your trailer on soft ground ( and this has happened to me several times right in Campgounds) you can cook your auto tranny real easy in a 4X2 . With a 4X4 you put it in low range and you back that rig up idling if you want. It would surprize many people how weak an automatic transmission is in reverse and you do not have any cooling to speak of. I had a 95 F250 PSD 4X4 and I had a masonry business. I had overloaded the truck with concrete blocks and I was delivering them to a customer with a very steep driveway. I started to back up that driveway and the truck wouldn't move, that powerstroke had no trouble revving up and starting to cook my torque convertor real quick but I shut her down fast , locked in my hubs, put her in low range and I could idle up that hill. You might have to back your fiver up a hill some day. These examples are not as dramatic on a standard transmission but the low range will give your clutch a break in the same situations. There's some food for thought. Good luck and take care, Wrenchtraveller. P. S. You probably will hear from people who have never owned a 4X4 and can't justify it but I doubt you will ever hear a 4x4 owner tell you that he hasn,t had his butt saved by his front end pulling him out of trouble.

 

4x4 costs more and higher maintence
4x2 1mpg better and faster

 

And do you want to be the person that can help or the person being helped?
Wrenchtraveller

 

ok mike you and to the west side to beat up on wrench . i need a vacation any way.

 

I would get the 4X4, I've put the trailer down on a nice campsite, then it rained for a couple of days . Without the 4X4, I would of needed to get towed out (boy is that embarrassing, when the family in the K-car across the road can pull up the TT and leave you stuck)

 

I agree with TSC My last 4 trucks were 4x2 never needed 4x4.
Last year I went to vintage motorcycle days where you camp in a grass field.
It rained 2 days straight. [B]It only takes once. I pull a 7000lb toy hauler I am now glad I went with the 4x4

AK
2004 f250 cc v10 4x4

 

I've had a 4x2 since November of 98. I've been in situations hunting were 4x4 would have been nice but not having it has kept me out of trouble. In other words, I know better than to drive down that muddy road. I've logged 129,000 miles and haven't gotten stuck once. If you use your brain you can keep yourself out of trouble. I have a 2005 on order and it is a 4x4. The reason being is my son is now 14, we're planning on doing more hunting, we've bought atv's to ride and I now think I will be out in situations more often in the next 5 years than in the past.

If you're just traveling the hwys and visiting campgrounds then 4x2 should be fine.

 

Thanks to all for all replies on my post...I ended up with a F250 V10 4x4..it was the better deal......Cheers

 

You the man LaGrange,enjoy that new truck and I know you will, Wrench.

 

best of luck man. now you have joined the bseg club

 

I have had both and now drive a 4x2 and just rely on my buddies. Most of the time you mention your stuck and they are fighting over who gets to pull out their tow strap. Just goes to show how much they actually get to use it.

 

Wow, I can't imagine not having a 4x4. I don't use it for fun but just running errands on my property I use 4wd a few times a week at least.

Often just to keep from getting hung up in wet grass and I have to drive through a creek (with fairly steep rocky banks on each side about 3ft high) in two spots to get to a certain area too. Nothing major but I'd never make it in a 2wd. I can get to most areas with 2wd in the summer when it's dry but the least little mud or snow I'd be screwed.

I know 2wd gets better mileage and better tire wear but it would really limit my use. I rely on it for winter driving as well. No offense, but to me a truck ain't a truck unless it's a 4x4.