Help - Search - Member List - Calendar
Full Version: Are 4x4's worth the extra weight and cost
Truck Camper Forum > General > Matching Truck and Camper
bacach
I am buying a new truck and Northstar pop up camper, and wondering if people really use their 4x4 option? I would like to do some off road boon docking but not sure if I really need the 4 wheel drive, it would be nice but added weight and cost.

Thanks, Brad
Spanky
My F350 Dually is 4x4 and when I lived in New Mexico I used it alot. Not only in the snow and mud but even on dry backroads it was nice to know I had it if I needed it. I now live in Mississippi and dont use it very much other than around my place but when I go out west on vacation its really a peace of mind. The real question is, is it worth it to you? You know the old saying, "better to have it and not need it than to not have it and need it". Just me but I would not buy a truck that was not 4x4.
Gary
shock
I'm glad I opted for it because if my bed is empty my truck will not move on anything slick. I sometimes have to use it in the rain to confidently get up an incline if I'm pulling into traffic. The driveway at my last house was barely inclined (visibly flat) and sometimes my rear tires would just spin if there was frost.

My truck does have a limited slip differential. It also has AT tires which aren't the best for some slick conditions.

Previously I had a 2wd gas Suburban with limited slip and highway tires. It never even flinched in snow. I suppose the glass/seats/doors/etc. kept some weight on the rear tires.

I guess I'm saying there could be more to consider than just climbing rocks.
17 Oaks
I have owned 4x4 cars and truck all my life, countless times it got me home, work, etc while others were sitting still.

Traveled across the us thru Co, Ks, Tenn, WVa to Va in the winter storm of '85 I was one of the few driving on Interstate(s), weaving my way in, out and around cars, trucks, 18 wheelers...Police blocked me many times, I just said I have 4x4, limited slip diffs, Off road Goodyear tires and left Seattle 'x' days ago. I arrived on time in Ft Monroe Va my new military assignment.

Don't leave home without it...
AraWithSpirit
To me, while full time and never seeing campgrounds, 4x4 is a must and in addition as 4x4 from the factory is generally only 2x4 adding progressive lockers in the rear is like having insurance. Of course we don't go rock crawling [F350 7.2 Turbo Diesel / 9.6 Northern Lite] but much off road. 4x4 might not be needed reaching a spot, but as much as I keep an eye on always the local weather, it can suddenly turn to much rain while we need to exit and the 4x4 comes in handy.
All depends on your camping purposes and locations and peace of mind.
Backroad Joe
Well, 4x4 sure seems popular here. I have it as some trails I use require it, along with digging and rock stacking. But that is just me.

If it's just graded dirt roads, no not really. I spent many years in a 2x truck going places that 4x4's were having trouble. I believe driving technique does far more than drivetrain upgrades.
17 Oaks
QUOTE(Backroad Joe @ Jan 26 2017, 02:59 PM)
Well, 4x4 sure seems popular here. I have it as some trails I use require it, along with digging and rock stacking. But that is just me.

If it's just graded dirt roads, no not really. I spent many years in a 2x truck going places that 4x4's were having trouble. I believe driving technique does far more than drivetrain upgrades.
*


I grew up on dirt roads, on a ranch and paid my dues to it. Today I will credit my driving skills to learning to drive on dirt roads in rain, sun, snow and what ever else was thrown my way. Many of these in E Texas were on logging roads.

4x4 is the answer and I would never tell anyone that I could outdrive a 4x4 in my 2x4 vehicle, it ain't happening. I know that because parallel to that in the early 60's I began my off roading with a 4x4 and it was a passion of mine all my life. I have run some of the most difficult trains in the US, off roaded in inner Mexico, Central America, Canada, about ¾ of the states in the US to include Alaska and Hawaii, Europe and Asia.

Again I will say, wanna learn, then head past that curb in a 2x4 and you will learn tricks and driving skills those who start out with the advantage that 4x4 brings might never learn. When you do get that 4x4 it will be a lot more fun and the most often words spoken of you...'he sure makes it look easy!
SidecarFlip
Keep in mind that 4 wheel drive lowers the load capacity your truck is safely capable of... always.

I have it but rarely use it. I prefer manual hubs and manual transfer case myself.
17 Oaks
QUOTE(SidecarFlip @ Jan 27 2017, 12:42 PM)
Keep in mind that 4 wheel drive lowers the load capacity your truck is safely capable of...  always.

I have it but rarely use it.  I prefer manual hubs and manual transfer case myself.
*


On my 4th F 350 truck, all w/4x4. Prob used it dozen times since '09 on that truck but each time I used it was not because I wanted to, it was because I NEEDED to.

Think of 4x4 like a parachute, it only needed once to make it worth it.

For you folks that leave pavement. I don't mean climbing rocks or anything, but a LOT of roads out there in parks and other rec areas are just dirt they grade about once a year. Some of the roads are scenic and very long. One out in Utah is about 150 miles affords boondock camping and is very scenic, its on govt owned land and open to any and all. Friend of mine was up there and he slipped off the road, never figured out how, but he got his drivers side wheel off and efforts to get back on only pulled the rear of his ruck around further until both the rears were off. It was wet, but not raining. Where he slipped off was just steep enough that his truck began to slide backwards and the more forward gas he gave it, the more and faster he slipped until he was about 30 yards off the road.

He flat and safe, but ground just wet enough to not allow him back up. He tried to call me as I was in town, but no cell service. He is maybe 35 miles down the road and an all day foto trip. There is another truck with him and they head back till they get cell service, only now I am out of cell service, so its wrecker time. Wrecker has to drive about 55 miles one way to get to him. Wrecker arrive and strings out cable, hooks to bumper tow hooks and reels him in. Just that simple, no complex rigging, nothing, just long enough piece of cable, which if my buddy had had the other guy could have pulled him out. He took pics and I was stunned he could not get out on his own, but he lacked tools. Told him to drop his tire air pressue to about 15 lbs and he could have drove out, but he did not have a way of filling back up.

Cost: $2000 on the nose

My advice, if don't want 4x4, but a good winch!
SidecarFlip
I carry a Lewis Winch in the gear box all the time. A Lewis winch is basically a capstan driven by a chainsaw engine. Light and very powerful. Much cheaper than a 2000 grand tow. A Lewis Winch retails for around 700 bucks and you can use it anywhere, even pulls stumps and fence posts.

I never venture in the boonies without it.

I carry a cell phone but I also carry a SAT phone. SAT phones have no. no service areas because they work off satellites. Not cheap to use, air time is very expensive so I only use it in emergencies., but it works anywhere, anytime.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.
Invision Power Board © 2001-2024 Invision Power Services, Inc.