4 wheel or 2 wheel drive??

JOE ZOOM · 07-05-2021, 11:02 PM

Thinking about purchasing a new truck...do I go 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive? will be used only to tow a 24ft enclosed trailer?...truck will not be used as a daily driver....truck is a 2500hd 6.2

Thanks for your help,
Joe Mocci

Dave Noll · 07-06-2021, 12:15 AM

Two

John Kissel · 07-06-2021, 06:32 AM

Buy a 2 wheel drive, lower cost, less to go wrong,and fix.

jmcarter · 07-06-2021, 07:29 AM

If you don't already have a 4WD in the household I would spring for that. Mother Nature can be a fickle master at times and there's been a number of times when a 4WD truck came in handy (even in South Georgia) when parked on wet grass or especially in some of the muddy holding areas. Any more I just about get an extended warranty with any new vehicle, they've become so complex that a single repair beyond the factory warranty period can put you ahead. Don't particularly care for jacked trucks with 37" tires but I do enjoy the vantage point offered by the bit higher stance of a 4WD. You might also consider higher resale value.

Just my 2 cents...

Bob Don · 07-06-2021, 08:00 AM

Joe - I used to tow a 24' enclosed with a Silverado 2500HD 2WD 8.1L, Allison tranny. Towed great and found the 2WD worked fine.

Ralph A Powell · 07-06-2021, 08:14 AM

Spring for 4wd there will times when it come in handy at track. Wet grass soft wet grass. It will help on resale also.

Henrys Toy · 07-06-2021, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kissel

Buy a 2 wheel drive, lower cost, less to go wrong,and fix.

I would go with the Two wheel drive. The tow vehicle is going to get crappy fuel mileage anyway. I would opt for the biggest brake and HD transmission package if available. Towing in and around North Jersey and Pa. ( like Numidia ) Biggest brakes are a must. Mostly "just in case". That's my two cents, but it might just add that slight edge you might need in an emergency.

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz
1534 H/SA

RKelliher · 07-06-2021, 08:40 AM

Having grown up in New England , I only had one 4 wd truck. Found I didn't need it. Why add the extra cost and weight of 4wd if you don't need it. I drove my 2wd trucks all year round in deep snow with no problems. So don't waste your money on 4wd. Do spend it on a towing package and some other towing items.

Signman · 07-06-2021, 09:20 AM

Joe, have had both.
All you need is a 2500 with 2wd, big engine and transmission to tow the trailer safely, big brakes and a great trailer brake controller come with.
Diesel is better and a matter of choice and pocket depth.

Would recommend paying up for 4wd.

When your trailer is sitting on grass for a few days it sinks in the turf more than you would like. Add some rain or dew the first move to pull out of the ruts can cause the drive tire or tires slip (if you opt for locking diff which you should have with either) the next move clogs them and you are stuck. Been there done that......... Highway tread tires are a culprit, all terrain may be better, dual rear wheels may.....

With 4wd before even trying to move put it in low range 4wd and 1st gear and just drive off the grass on to solid ground put it in 2wd and enjoy the AC on the ride home.

Mike Pearson · 07-06-2021, 09:28 AM

Unless you need 4 WD for something other than towing your race rig I would get 2 WD. You will get better fuel mileage and less repair cost.

07-05-2021, 11:02 PM	#1
JOE ZOOM Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 175 Likes: 71 Liked 43 Times in 15 Posts	4 wheel or 2 wheel drive?? Thinking about purchasing a new truck...do I go 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive? will be used only to tow a 24ft enclosed trailer?...truck will not be used as a daily driver....truck is a 2500hd 6.2 Thanks for your help, Joe Mocci Last edited by JOE ZOOM; 07-05-2021 at 11:06 PM.

07-06-2021, 12:15 AM	#2
Dave Noll Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Div. 6, Eastern, WA Posts: 707 Likes: 2,606 Liked 236 Times in 109 Posts	Re: 4 wheel or 2 wheel drive?? Two __________________ Dave Noll, EF/S ,?/SA 6526

07-06-2021, 06:32 AM	#3
John Kissel Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Colt's Neck, n.j. Posts: 349 Likes: 766 Liked 230 Times in 94 Posts	Re: 4 wheel or 2 wheel drive?? Buy a 2 wheel drive, lower cost, less to go wrong,and fix.

07-06-2021, 07:29 AM	#4
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,273 Likes: 2,308 Liked 3,099 Times in 954 Posts	Re: 4 wheel or 2 wheel drive?? If you don't already have a 4WD in the household I would spring for that. Mother Nature can be a fickle master at times and there's been a number of times when a 4WD truck came in handy (even in South Georgia) when parked on wet grass or especially in some of the muddy holding areas. Any more I just about get an extended warranty with any new vehicle, they've become so complex that a single repair beyond the factory warranty period can put you ahead. Don't particularly care for jacked trucks with 37" tires but I do enjoy the vantage point offered by the bit higher stance of a 4WD. You might also consider higher resale value. Just my 2 cents... __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table Last edited by jmcarter; 07-06-2021 at 07:40 AM.

07-06-2021, 08:00 AM	#5
Bob Don VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Greater Boston Posts: 1,491 Likes: 1,081 Liked 882 Times in 188 Posts	Re: 4 wheel or 2 wheel drive?? Joe - I used to tow a 24' enclosed with a Silverado 2500HD 2WD 8.1L, Allison tranny. Towed great and found the 2WD worked fine. __________________ Bob Don 128 SS

07-06-2021, 08:14 AM	#6
Ralph A Powell Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bay City Texas Posts: 385 Likes: 2 Liked 225 Times in 136 Posts	Re: 4 wheel or 2 wheel drive?? Spring for 4wd there will times when it come in handy at track. Wet grass soft wet grass. It will help on resale also.

07-06-2021, 08:40 AM	#8
RKelliher Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 157 Likes: 41 Liked 164 Times in 56 Posts	Re: 4 wheel or 2 wheel drive?? Having grown up in New England , I only had one 4 wd truck. Found I didn't need it. Why add the extra cost and weight of 4wd if you don't need it. I drove my 2wd trucks all year round in deep snow with no problems. So don't waste your money on 4wd. Do spend it on a towing package and some other towing items.

07-06-2021, 09:20 AM	#9
Signman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lower Slower Delaware Posts: 535 Likes: 22 Liked 269 Times in 99 Posts	Re: 4 wheel or 2 wheel drive?? Joe, have had both. All you need is a 2500 with 2wd, big engine and transmission to tow the trailer safely, big brakes and a great trailer brake controller come with. Diesel is better and a matter of choice and pocket depth. Would recommend paying up for 4wd. When your trailer is sitting on grass for a few days it sinks in the turf more than you would like. Add some rain or dew the first move to pull out of the ruts can cause the drive tire or tires slip (if you opt for locking diff which you should have with either) the next move clogs them and you are stuck. Been there done that......... Highway tread tires are a culprit, all terrain may be better, dual rear wheels may..... With 4wd before even trying to move put it in low range 4wd and 1st gear and just drive off the grass on to solid ground put it in 2wd and enjoy the AC on the ride home. __________________ Frank Ferrucci I/SA 1271 "Be Thankful for the Gifts You are Given"

07-06-2021, 09:28 AM	#10
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,417 Likes: 597 Liked 1,880 Times in 562 Posts	Re: 4 wheel or 2 wheel drive?? Unless you need 4 WD for something other than towing your race rig I would get 2 WD. You will get better fuel mileage and less repair cost. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS