When a 4X4 Tow Rig comes in handy...

[Chief409]

While pulling up to a back in spot, uphill and on wet grass this afternoon I had the chance to demonstrate the benifit of having 4X4. Right about the time I had everything bent in a 90 the wheels started spinning. Put it in 4 High, and walked right around. Some bystanders said they didn't know how I did it, until I mentioned 4 wheel drive.

Yes, it costs more, and perhaps the gas miliage MIGHT be less (on this trip I was getting 9 mpg), but when you need it...

[campswithcritters]

Don't forget a 4WD weighs more reducing tow capacity and more fluids to change during maintenance. Guess I'll avoid uphill backing on wet grass. So far in 6 yrs of towing and a year of full-timing I've never been stuck or needed 4WD, I'm a fair weather traveler who avoids snow etc. Just my own opinion.

[Chief409]

Yep, around 500# and the added cost is around $20 max when you do a 20K oil change/lube. We have to use the 'Bird year around to get the wife to medical appts, so all said, a fair trade. And I've been towing for 30 years or so.

[Mike Clay]

I am a believer of 4x4 myself, had to use it several times over the 35 years I have been RVing. Of coarse a lot of those times came when I was younger and not pulling around as much money behind me. I guess it also comes down to what you use your truck for while not towing. Like the old saying goes its better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.

[jennyt]

Our 2nd trip out we needed our 4x4 for the exact same reason - backing uphill with about 2 forests worth of wet leaves on the ground. Apart from that though, I do think that Scott has to search high and low (forgive the pun) to find reasons to throw it in 4-wheel drive.

[RedBird30]

I am a believer of 4x4 myself. Like the old saying goes its better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.

I would have to second that thought. Used mine only twice so far, but it really paid off.

[roger5438]

Live in AK. Need it once and all expences covered. Enough said!

[Rob & Cathy]

Yep, wouldn't have truck without four wheel drive. I've used mine twice but like Bruce said I could have avoided both situations but since I have a 4x4 I didn't worry about.

Of course the other side of the coin is that if you get stuck and don't have 4x4 you can generally work your way out or get a little help. If you get stuck with a 4x4 you are REALLY stuck and it will take a whole lot more work to get unstuck.

Rob

[yogi154]

Last Spring I was backing into our homestead with the l o n g driveway and my co-pillot wasn't watching . I guess I wasn't either . I got super stuck on my own ground with the Cardinal hooked up .I was on grass then I turned it in a rut . Yes I needed help to get out too. Luckly we have Old Yeller the Ford farm tractor . I was glad our neighors we're home to Laugh . I guess I laughed we she stuck the Motor Home then we pulled it out .
The 4-wheel sure eats up a snow drift too. Like Sunday

Wayne

[campswithcritters]

Hope you guys didn't take me wrong, I just feel a 4X4 is not required to go camping and have a good time. For my own situation I could not justify the outlay of additional initial cost, loss of 500lbs capacity is big to a full-timer, and I do not travel to areas with that cold white stuff. If I ever get stuck (grass or mud) it's time to make good sam's roadside assistance earn the fees. When it's time to play in the dirt I have a Suzuki DR650 that I can lift out when stuck!

[Mike Clay]

Yep my truck even sees wet grass its stuck darn old peg leg. Like was said above I think when the day comes that we are full timing I will probably get a two wheel drive with training wheels.

[Rob & Cathy]

Like was said above I think when the day comes that we are full timing I will probably get a two wheel drive with training wheels.

I'll take that bet.

Rob

[Traveler II]

Living in Minnesota, you don’t even think about not getting 4x4’s. We use them for more than just RVing. To tell the truth, all we really need is front wheel drive, but unfortunately pick-up’s doesn’t come that way.

[Olbird]

Hello Bruce,

I felt the same all my life until I moved to Washington, it is hard to find trucks up here without 4x4 and don't even think about moving here with a 2 wheel drive and try trading it in. They look at you like did you buy that thing in another world.

Also Bruce does Chevy make 4X4's. Just joking.

[Chief409]

The reason I always get a 4X4 is this: I grew up in Western Washington, Snohomish Co to be specific, in the '60's. And my training vehicle was a '48 Dodge 1/2 ton 4X2, with bald tires and problematic brakes. Between mud, snow, wet leaves, pine needles, LOOSE GRAVEL and slimey salt water boat ramps... SO the 4x4. Yeah 4X4 = 4 wheel stuck, used to laugh at Jeeps, but they laughed at me more often. I learned the hard way not to get into a situitation where only God can save you, and it only took a couple of (30 or 40) times!

And today pulling out, becuase I didn't feel it was proper to tear up the campground any futher, I had 4 HI selected. It's a nice campground (Delta Bay near Rio Vista, CA in the Delta), the wife wants to return and I hate cleaning mud and grass off the front of the 'Bird!

I posted a trip report on the "On the road..." topic about the campground, look for the "Nice Campground" thread.