4X4 Vs 4X2
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: N. Mississippi
My opinion is that if you need a 4wd or think that you will ever need one then buy it.
We don't get much snow here where I live so a 2wd is all I need.
If we ever get a good snow, I'll be out there in it on my atv.
We don't get much snow here where I live so a 2wd is all I need.
If we ever get a good snow, I'll be out there in it on my atv.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Georgia
I own a 2 wheel drive and it holds its own in the mud unless I am pulling a trailer. That being said I have a trailer in my yard that needs to be moved today. It rained a whole inch yesterday.My yard is like a ga red clay and black gumbo mix (very slick stuff). What I am gonna have to do is get a load of gravel in my truck and put chain through the wheel slots and wrap it around my back tires. I will be in for a bumpy ride and I will still tear my yard up. With the chain I will also run the risk of snagging a brake line. If I owned a decent 4x4 I could just hook it up and pull the trailer out with no problem. I do not care what anyone says a 4x4 is superior.
Last edited by 70blue; Sep 25, 2006 at 09:46 AM.
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From: Clearwater, Fl
Quote: from johndeer112
Not if you have good tires (heaven forbid anyone spend a fraction the cost of 4x4 on snow tires instead ) and know what you are doing.
This from a 4x2 owner in Maine...
thats great man, its easy to drive on "snow" i love maine and its nice that when you have a snow fall it still stays well below 32, massachusetts when it gets a snow fall it usually hovers around 32-35 or so we get alot of slush even in december jan and feb, take your 4x2 off road in snow and see how well your new snow tires handle.
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Not if you have good tires (heaven forbid anyone spend a fraction the cost of 4x4 on snow tires instead ) and know what you are doing.
This from a 4x2 owner in Maine...
thats great man, its easy to drive on "snow" i love maine and its nice that when you have a snow fall it still stays well below 32, massachusetts when it gets a snow fall it usually hovers around 32-35 or so we get alot of slush even in december jan and feb, take your 4x2 off road in snow and see how well your new snow tires handle.
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From: Maine
Originally Posted by freirefishing
thats great man, its easy to drive on "snow" i love maine and its nice that when you have a snow fall it still stays well below 32, massachusetts when it gets a snow fall it usually hovers around 32-35 or so we get alot of slush even in december jan and feb, take your 4x2 off road in snow and see how well your new snow tires handle.
I never said that 4x2 with snow tires would handle well off-road. I don't off-road, and don't need that capability.
My point was that four-wheel drive is not needed for highway use. I have never said I don't wish I had it, either. I am simply stating that I do not need it. I can get my truck where I need to go (school, work, store) when I need to get there, and it doesn't have four wheel drive.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Blue Hill Township
Originally Posted by john112deere
My point was that four-wheel drive is not needed for highway use.
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From: Northern Massachusetts
i used to do field service massachusetts,maine and nh, i had a 2wd f-150 and vowed NEVER AGAIN ! so many times caught in a snowstorm, and if anyone in newengland knows, those nor-easters fueled by the ocean can dump alot of heavy wet snow in a short time!! 4x4 the only way!!
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Clearwater, Fl
i wouldnt even understand the point of having a 2 wheel drive truck in new england, especially if its a year round vehicle, and yes it is ESSENTIAL to have a 4wd truck if you want to be on the roads during bad conditions. a front wheel drive car is better than a two wheel drive truck, i just think its unsafe thats all, most people arnt proffesional drivers and wouldnt know what to do when you loose your rear end at 40 mph. i lived in athol what town were you from john deer?
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 335
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From: Ames, Iowa
My 2wd 98 F150 was a POS in the snow. Like I said before, now that I have it, I won't go back. Too many situations that could have been bad were not due to the fact I could pull a lever and get out.
In reality, when conditions are that bad, we should stay home. Our modern world won't allow that.
In reality, when conditions are that bad, we should stay home. Our modern world won't allow that.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Maine
I was from Holden.
And, please don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying that 4x4 isn't great to have in the snow. I really wish I had it. All I'm saying is that I can get by without it. It is not, to my mind, necessary, though it does reduce stress and increase safety. I'm fairly certain I could catch a rear-end slide at 40, but I don't drive that fast if I think it's slick enough for that to happen. I've caught plenty at lower speeds, almost all intentionally induced.
By my math, my 2wd 4-cylinder Ranger saves me $350-450 a year on gas, compared to a 4x4 Ranger (which would mean moving up to a V-6, too). That more than pays for good snow tires. I also know from personal experience that a 4x4 on bad tires is worse than a 4x2 on good tires. My stepmother had a Jeep G.C. with really bad tires and full-time 4x4 when I first met her, and when I drove it in really bad conditions (that greasy, slick, snotty stuff) it was terrible. Touch the gas, and all four tires would start to spin, eliminating any chance of steering while accelerating. Made leaving a stop sign almost as interesting as stopping at it.
And, please don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying that 4x4 isn't great to have in the snow. I really wish I had it. All I'm saying is that I can get by without it. It is not, to my mind, necessary, though it does reduce stress and increase safety. I'm fairly certain I could catch a rear-end slide at 40, but I don't drive that fast if I think it's slick enough for that to happen. I've caught plenty at lower speeds, almost all intentionally induced.
By my math, my 2wd 4-cylinder Ranger saves me $350-450 a year on gas, compared to a 4x4 Ranger (which would mean moving up to a V-6, too). That more than pays for good snow tires. I also know from personal experience that a 4x4 on bad tires is worse than a 4x2 on good tires. My stepmother had a Jeep G.C. with really bad tires and full-time 4x4 when I first met her, and when I drove it in really bad conditions (that greasy, slick, snotty stuff) it was terrible. Touch the gas, and all four tires would start to spin, eliminating any chance of steering while accelerating. Made leaving a stop sign almost as interesting as stopping at it.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Clearwater, Fl
i hear ya, when i traded in my taco down here in florida, i have a 17 ft flats boat, i was going to get a 2wd truck until i saw alot of boaters with 2wd tucks struggling to pull there boats out of the water, usually 1 guy is jumping up and down at the end of the bed while the driver is sitting there smoking the tires, i got to tell you i got a chuckle out of this...........not going to happen to me!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Marion, VA
We have all kinds of reasons as to why we need a 4X4. The real reason is because we want it. Most of the reasons are really excuses. My biggest excuse is that I need one to get into my driveway when the weather is bad (true) but the few times I need it and the 200' from the road to my house does not justify the extra expense of purchase and gas (trade in value difference is not as great as the added expenses). My wife insists on keeping her 4X4 Escape "just in case" even though she will not drive in the snow. Get it because you want it and don't make excuses.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: North Alberta
I believe it mostly is excuses, especially on the highway, i rarely drive my dad's or brother's 4x4 unless i have to, because i can do what i have to in my 4x2 open. Granted, there are days after heavy snows that drift right behind our vehicles where they become 2-3 feet high, and sometimes the 4x4's has trouble getting out. Also, on the farm it helps when hauling cows in a gooseneck. Even with the weight of that I doubt my 4x2 could pull it after a good rain, and the ground is just slick. My point is, I have yet to get stuck with a 4x2, while the 4x4 are barely moving. Most of the people in the ditches here are cars and 4x4, because, well, we have the worst drivers in Canada (Northern Alberta) and they just think "4x4=anywhere"
I am not saying I would not get use out of a 4x4, it could come in handy but for the most part, i just go where I know I can make it and not "lets see how deep that mud puddle is" and end up getting stuck.
Just my thoughts.
I am not saying I would not get use out of a 4x4, it could come in handy but for the most part, i just go where I know I can make it and not "lets see how deep that mud puddle is" and end up getting stuck.
Just my thoughts.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Clearwater, Fl
i call it versatility, u guys can call it excuses, also some people cant afford the difference in payments. thats an excuse. ive pulled a couple of people out of ditches in my past and saved them from a $80 tow bill to move them 8-10 feet. (versatility,safety,personal preference) whatever you want to call it, 4x4 rocks