4X4 or regular truck

Roosterrusek · 02-08-2013, 05:37 AM

Yo,

I am selling off my old 1995 F150 and likely getting another of newer year. I have to tow a 18 foot Carolina Skiff with it so I am wondering if I should consider a 4X4 over a regular 2 wheel drive?

Things to consider...I am moving to Jacksonville hopefully in the next few months, a place where you can drive on the beach.

Thoughts? Anyone want to buy and old in fine condition F150, the kind with 2 gas tanks? LOL

johnsjmc · 05:55 AM

Depends on several factors? Location? Will you use 4x4 for winter driving or just to pull up a slippery ramp? I have towed much larger boats with a Jeep Cherokee(22 ft Seapro CC) in Florida and needed the 4x4 rarely on a ramp, might use it on a beach some .
I also towed a 34 ft sailboat across 3 states with a 4x4 diesel and never used the 4x4 feature to do it
I have a 4x4 F150 new a few months ago and use it several times in our winter, but wouldn,t buy it just for towing as it adds weight and complexity to the driveline.
I would look at the max tow rating more than at 4x4 or not, as 4x4 in Florida is less common in a used Florida truck.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsjmc

I would look at the max tow rating more than at 4x4 or not, as 4x4 in Florida is less common in a used Florida truck.

I would have to disagree that 4x4's are less common in FL. Half the trucks I see everyday are 4x4's. And another thing, Jax is just barely in FL.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-08-2013, 06:25 AM

Think about when you would need it. No snow if you live in FL, unless you travel to areas that do get snow. Does driving on the beach sound like something you would actually do? Ever have an issue with your current 2wd on the boat ramp? Any off-road aspirations?

Our last SUV was a 2wd Nissan Armada. We rarely get snow around here, but after getting stuck twice we swore never again. So far we've used the 4wd on our 2012 F150 once in the snow, and once on a damaged boat ramp when the trailer dropped into an unseen underwater hole. It's like the fire extinguisher analogy, you hope you never need it but you appreciate it if you do.

chocolatelab · chocolatelab's Garage

The one time you need it you will wish you had it. I say always get 4x4.

I dont have data to support but it seems resale would always be better.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-08-2013, 06:30 AM

You pay more up front for a 4x4, but you'll also get more out of it when you sell.

Dantilla · 02-08-2013, 07:02 AM

Nice thing about 4x4 is the low range gearing with a 2-speed transfer case.

If you never need low gears, a two-wheel-drive with a proper locking rear diff will go about anywhere a 4x4 with open diffs will go.

My last several trucks have been 4x4s, but I'm thinking my next one may be a two-wheeler with a Detroit Locker.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Sand can be as problematic for a two-wheel drive car as snow is. Get the 4x4.

-Z

onewhippedpuppy · 02-08-2013, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dantilla

Nice thing about 4x4 is the low range gearing with a 2-speed transfer case.

If you never need low gears, a two-wheel-drive with a proper locking rear diff will go about anywhere a 4x4 with open diffs will go.

My last several trucks have been 4x4s, but I'm thinking my next one may be a two-wheeler with a Detroit Locker.

Toyota does a nice job on the 2wd Prerunner trucks by offering a locking diff. It won't be the same in the snow/ice as a 4wd, but at least it will help you get unstuck.

kaisen · 02-08-2013, 07:08 AM

All GM trucks are/were available as 2WD with locking diffs....it was just a cheap option, available in any configuration
All Fords and Dodges are/were available with limited slip, same story

That said, I'd get a 4x4 unless it's your daily driver
The penalty in fuel economy won't add up to much over the course of a year

The question is, why wouldn't you buy a 4x4? What are you afraid of? (serious question)

Roosterrusek · 02-08-2013, 07:26 AM

Well I think that I was concerned about it being my daily driver and gas costs. But the statement of the one time you need it, AND yes I will be doing some off road and the boat ramp thing, I'm going 4X4.

Just needed a little extra encouragement.

KFC911 · 02-08-2013, 08:08 AM

Not trying to talk you out of a 4x4, but you don't "need" one for what you are proposing imo. Beaches you "can" drive on "anymore" are hard packed sand (like down in St. A. or Daytona)...more suited to convertables

. Don't think you can in Jax area (unless they've changed recently). Don't need a 4x4 for N. FL boat ramps either...not for an 18'er. Just being realistic...

desertt5 · 02-08-2013, 08:31 AM

We have had a 4X4 of some sort for the past 13 years. Really only needed to engage it maybe 4 times ever, but when you need it nothing else will do.

Rick V · 02-08-2013, 08:33 AM

4X4. like the others have said if you need it you have it. Just look at it like insurance

Seahawk · 02-08-2013, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roosterrusek

Just needed a little extra encouragement.

My wife and I own six cars, five of them are 4x4's.

We recently went with a new Toyota Highlander and decided to get the front wheel drive version since, as the saying goes, we have other options.

I wouldn't be caught without a 4x4 available for tasking

flatbutt · 02-08-2013, 08:46 AM

4X4..manual...not really a truck without those.

pwd72s · 02-08-2013, 08:50 AM

A log truck driver once explained to me that 4X4 is great for getting you further from help before you get stuck.

EarlyPorsche · 02-08-2013, 08:56 AM

My truck isn't 4wd and I can't say I've ever thought "i could use 4wd." With that said I own 4wd vehicles and also I would have purchased a 4wd if the price/condition I wanted was there (I have an old truck and only wanted my particular old truck so I was a bit limited in condition/price). If I were buying a newer truck were there are tons of them out there I wouldn't buy anything but 4wd - they seem to sell better used and honestly I am sure I will one day wish I had been carrying around that tcase and front 60.

Seahawk · 02-08-2013, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

A log truck driver once explained to me that 4X4 is great for getting you further from help before you get stuck.

That was my Dad's mantra in the woods: Never put the truck in 4x4 until you need it. Then turn around and go home, trail dependent.

On the highway, it is the same...four powered wheels will slide on ice as easily as two. But if you know what you are doing, 4x4 is often the difference between a safe, slow ride home and a yard sale.

johnsjmc · 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URY914

I would have to disagree that 4x4's are less common in FL. Half the trucks I see everyday are 4x4's. And another thing, Jax is just barely in FL.

I,ve lived in Tampa Fl. and Canada . Almost all trucks here in Canada are 4x4 compared to less than 1/2 in Fl.
They don,t even sell a Jeep Wrangler 2wd here. Most 4x4s are mall crawlers in Fl not real hard working trucks anyway
The 4x4 option also usually lowers your max tow rating because you are hauling around 500+ lbs extra drivetrain.
Like I said before you likely don,t need it in Fl to tow a boat except on a slippery ramp.Get one if you want