4x4 helpful for towing?
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
From: Harker Heights, TX
4x4 helpful for towing?
I noticed that most F350s seems to have 4x4 standard. I plan to custom order mine and wonder if I should add it. Is there any benefit to having 4x4 when towing? One sales person mentioned it would help me get the trailer into position easier. I plan to pull a 27' Airstream.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
Only if you pull the trailer out of the water on slippery ramp.
I have 2WD and pulling 30+k sets with it. Never had a problem with traction on paved roads and even while pulling 10k dead tractor from a hole in the woods.
I have 2WD and pulling 30+k sets with it. Never had a problem with traction on paved roads and even while pulling 10k dead tractor from a hole in the woods.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: Anchorage, Alaska
For the reasons stated above, there are a few circumstances where it can help. However, since most towing applications signficantly increase the load on the rear axle, traction is also correspondingly increased anyway. Also, given the well known conventional wisdom of not driving around in 4wd on typical dry-pavement conditions, the increased wieght of towing only increases the need to heed this advice.
But the biggest question is why would you order a truck without 4WD in the first place (towing aside)? It's always better to have it and not need it than...
But the biggest question is why would you order a truck without 4WD in the first place (towing aside)? It's always better to have it and not need it than...
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,370
Likes: 1,858
From: Frederick, MD
I prefer to have it. to me it is more stable. But that is just me.
I also have had to move trailers in some pretty nasty places so I really need it there.
I also have had to move trailers in some pretty nasty places so I really need it there.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Kickapoo, IL.
4wd should not be used on dry pavement, especially under a heavy load. If your only going to be towing in paved areas, don't bother.
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Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,331
Likes: 341
From: Breckenridge, TX
Personally I've always felt the Twin-I beam is a disaster of an IFS, the steering setup on it is basically the same y tie rods on the TTB axles. The crossover steering on the the 4wd is a better system, and like senix said, there's nothing more stable than a solid axle with two massive radius arms, with springs you can upgrade/downgrade based on what you actually tow. Brake jobs are easier on the 4wd trucks, not that breaking a castle nut is hard, you just have to tear out the bearings, white the top hat rotor on the 4wd is a lot simpler to fix.
Plus resale is probably better on a 4wd. I'm not that much farther north in Texas (Lubbock area), and you'd never catch me or most of the guys I work with with a 2wd truck, unless it's a second or even a third vehicle. The "it's better to have it an not need it" mantra carries a lot of weight the first time you a trailer get stuck.
Plus resale is probably better on a 4wd. I'm not that much farther north in Texas (Lubbock area), and you'd never catch me or most of the guys I work with with a 2wd truck, unless it's a second or even a third vehicle. The "it's better to have it an not need it" mantra carries a lot of weight the first time you a trailer get stuck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,711
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From: Fort Worth
Twin I-Beam is a great front suspension setup. It is by far the toughest with regards to non-4wd setups. That is why Ford chose it so long ago. It is the way the heavy duty trucks were built, so Ford copied it into their pickup designs and it has carried for well over 50 years. If you don't need 4x4, don't get it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
I agree with most people here. I can't imagine owning a truck that wasn't 4WD. But I use my truck for a lot of stuff besides towing on the highway.
If all you will EVER do is tow on the highway in decent weather (no snow, etc), then 2WD is probably OK. If you're going to encounter snow, or ever go off the pavement, then the one time you need 4WD will pay for it.
Using low range (disconnect the auto-locking vacuum solenoid so the front hubs don't lock) can really help with trying to back into difficult places.
Having 4WD will have no effect on your fuel economy, as long as you're in 2WD with your hubs unlocked.
Also, if you have 4WD, it's good to use it occasionally. Manually lock and unlock the hubs every now and then. It keep's stuff from freezing up and failing when you need it.
If all you will EVER do is tow on the highway in decent weather (no snow, etc), then 2WD is probably OK. If you're going to encounter snow, or ever go off the pavement, then the one time you need 4WD will pay for it.
Using low range (disconnect the auto-locking vacuum solenoid so the front hubs don't lock) can really help with trying to back into difficult places.
Having 4WD will have no effect on your fuel economy, as long as you're in 2WD with your hubs unlocked.
Also, if you have 4WD, it's good to use it occasionally. Manually lock and unlock the hubs every now and then. It keep's stuff from freezing up and failing when you need it.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,331
Likes: 341
From: Breckenridge, TX
"Used almost exclusively by Ford F-series trucks, twin I-beam suspension was introduced in 1965. This little oddity is a combination of trailing arm suspension and solid beam axle suspension. Only in this case the beam is split in two and mounted offset from the centre of the chassis, one section for each side of the suspension. The trailing arms are actually (technically) leading arms and the steering gear is mounted in front of the suspension setup. Ford claims this makes for a heavy-duty independent front suspension setup capable of handling the loads associated with their trucks. In an empty truck, however, going over a bump with twin I-beam suspension is like falling down stairs in leg irons."
Car Bibles : The Car Suspension Bible page 1 of 4
Suspension and Steering, Page 1 of 4
But hey, accurate tech is overrated anyways.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 2
From: Juneau, ALASKA
I have heard on this forum and read in other places that the 4WD set up gives you a smaller turning radius than the 2WD.
You have the option to use the low 4WD gear to back up and pull out.
If you need it you have it.
Personally I like having a solid front axle and coil springs up front.
You have the option to use the low 4WD gear to back up and pull out.
If you need it you have it.
Personally I like having a solid front axle and coil springs up front.