2WD or 4WD

[dandg]

My father-in-law worked for Goodyear and when he saw people "spin' their tires he'd say "Goodyear thanks you."Well, GM,Ford, Dodge and I thank all of  you for getting 4x4's so you can pull me and my 2x4  out if I get stuck.In 34 years of RVing ,never have.( Now watch me go get stuck next trip.) Darrell

[Ron Hartman]

Never needed 4x4 when pulling, but use it often when working on my property and sometimes need it when crossing the river at our cabin.  Used it last week when the river was high (up on the door panel) and need to cross.

[Dreamer]

Need?
 Kind of a loaded question.
 I don't really see a need in a 5th wheel. But I sure do like it, and it's equally nice having my 4x4 available when I want it. Thats usually when I want to pull my 20,000 lbs of boat and trailer out of a lake on a steep wet ramp. Or when the snow is piled up like it is today (over 30in. on the ground) with a gusty 30 to 40 MPH wind creating blizard conditions. Of course at that time I am more concerned about the diesel fuel gelling at the -30 or lower wind chill temps. Thats when 4x4 no longer works. But then again neither do the 2x2's.

[bpe]

I did use the 4-low setting backing up my rv one time. The low range benefited me. Only time I ever really benefited, pulling my rv, by the 4X4. I did pickup $200.00 last week pulling a 18 wheeler out of a stuck situation. I didn't charge him (he was blocking road and I was in a hurray) but he was so grateful he paid me. Said wrecker would have been more.   

[LoneGranger]

I did use the 4-low setting backing up my rv one time. The low range benefited me. Only time I ever really benefited, pulling my rv, by the 4X4. I did pickup $200.00 last week pulling a 18 wheeler out of a stuck situation. I didn't charge him (he was blocking road and I was in a hurray) but he was so grateful he paid me. Said wrecker would have been more.   

You got a Chevy?   

[Scot & Dale Ann Huffman]

Use my 4x4 at least once or twice a year through the mud around the Salton sea. The local tow guy gets $500.00 a whack to pull you out.

[dkchcolo08]

4WD or 2WD it's only when you need the 4WD that you are real glad you have it, like most things when it comes to extra, the extra is only appreciated when needed!  I was caught in a snow storm in the middle of NM my first year of RVing and sure was glad I had my 4WD to get me to the first stop area that in that country was not close, would never go without my 4WD after that experience. Also I live in Colorado and that has a lot to do with having a 4WD also.   Dick

[wberg]

I have used for a brief period ,4wd when towing in the rain on asphast, also in the montains to assist on engine braking downhill.
It's just nice to know you have it if you need it.

Bill

[LoneGranger]

I use 4wd when towing in the rain on asphast, also in the montains to assist on engine braking downhill.
It's just nice to know you have it if you need it.

Bill

It never occured to me to use 4wd anywhere other than mud or snow or maybe sand.  You use it on a highway...or say a 40- 50 mph mountain road and it helps with the braking?? 

Debbie

[Oregon Knights]

When we were pulling our old trailer, I used 4wd to back into a camp site once.  The park had gravel roads and sites and ours had a bit of an incline.  Try to push the trailer uphill caused me to lose traction backing in.  Instead of getting a run at it, or tearing up the gravel and making divots, I put the truck into 4wd and easily backed into place.  On another occasion, we ended up on a gravel road, following the GPS on a side trip home last year, pulling the HH.  After dropping in elevation and not seeing any civilization and the road getting more and more narrow, my DW made several comments about wanting to turn back.  I too was making the comments, but to myself.  There hadn't been a place wide enough to turn around since we go on the gravel.  Finally, there was a "Y" in the road where I could back up the hill, pushing the HH onto another gravel road.  This one required 4wd in order to get traction.  I don't think I could have even gotten a run at this one and made it. 
Lessons learned:  take a road atlas on all trips, even when close to home to double check your GPS.  (In another 2 miles we would have hit pavement and back on the road we started on.)  Always have 4wd available.  You really only need it, when you need it.

I've never thought about the concept of using 4wd for descending hills on the highway.  Seems like this might be helpul in some situations.  Thanks for the idea.

Dale

[Davydee]

The mechanical "drag" of the 4wd drive would help slow you down - it's also one of the many reasons why you get poorer fuel mileage when using 4WD.  Be careful with 4WD on dry payment.  If you have auto hubs, be aware that the front wheels need to slip to take stress (torque rap) off of the front differential and axles.    If you have manual hubs, leaving them unlock and shifting into 4wd makes a great granny gear for backing into an uphill campsite.  

[wildcat]

Be sure to read the owners manual for the truck for use on dry roads. My book says not to use 4 wheel drive on dry asphalt or rain wet asphalt. It could damage the drive train.