4 Wheel Drive Tow Vehicle

Retiredsorta · 03-09-2012, 04:53 PM

I've been towing my 2011 Bullet (278RLS) for 1 1/2 years. Actual weight is 5780 lbs. I tow with a 2010 Chev Silverado 1500, 5.3, 6 speed, 3.42 rear end. It tows with no problems. In Sept completed a 4500 mile trip from Houston, TX to Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota. No problems through the mountains. I have noticed most 5th wheels and larger travel trailers are towed with 4 wheel drive vehicles. Is there an advantage or is it just preference? Just curious.

smiller · 03-09-2012, 05:02 PM

I wouldn't say most, but it can be a popular option. Downsides are higher cost, slightly worse mileage, more expensive maintenance, sometimes unwanted height, and the fact that you won't need it 99% of the time. The upside is the 1% of the time you do need it...

Retiredsorta · 03-09-2012, 05:15 PM

Thanks. Just wondered. I haven't had any problems with my 2 wheel drive. Driving through the Rocky's was fun.

CarKath · 03-09-2012, 05:47 PM

Not to get into a weight discussion here. But having 4x4 does add towing capacity in some cases. Go to GM's site and research it. They have towing guidelines available.

Could be what you are seeing is people have it to handle the weight they are pulling.

JMO.

Have fun with your bullet and happy camping!!

smiller · 03-09-2012, 06:03 PM

I think it is much more common to have 4WD reduce towing capacity (since the extra weight for the 4WD components subtracts from GVWR/GCWR) than increase it. There may be instances where a 4WD vehicle may be equipped with a stronger axle or other component that might increase capacity, but it is far more often the other way around.

ktmracer · 03-09-2012, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smiller

I think it is much more common to have 4WD reduce towing capacity (since the extra weight for the 4WD components subtracts from GVWR/GCWR) than increase it. There may be instances where a 4WD vehicle may be equipped with a stronger axle or other component that might increase capacity, but it is far more often the other way around.

x2. Every time I've checked 4wd reduces payload and towing capacity by 200-400 lbs.

I'd say the reason for so many tow vehicles being 4wd are:

1)At least around here, most (probably 95% +) of the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks for sale on dealer lots are 4wd. If you want 2wd, most often you will need to order it. Any 2wd are usually a bare bones 1/2 ton base truck loss leader. That said, there are probably more 2wd 1/2 tons % wise than 3/4 or 1 tons.
2) Many folks with these tow vehicles also want 4wd for other needs, and sometimes towing. I'm in that camp. Do enough driving in winter or on gravel, dirt roads or non maintained roads where 4wd is sometimes needed. You'd be suprised how little of an incline on a gravel roads it takes before it hard/impossible to get moving with a 2wd and heavy trailer, even on a dry road.
3) people buy 4wd "just in case". Personally, based on my use I'd never buy a 2wd truck, but thats because of my travel profile. Next door neighbor wanted 2wd, and had to special order it. For his towing (all paved roads, stops if roads are snow covered), it's perfect for his use. But when the weather turns bad here, His truck sits in the driveway and we use mine to get to the store, since he can't even get out to the main streets when there is any snow or ice on the road.
4) Resale of a 4wd truck is much easier, at least around here. Not much interest in 2wd.

jq1031 · 03-09-2012, 07:32 PM

4WD is a truck guy thing. Yes I have one & that goes back to my snow plowing days in Buffalo, NY. Now in Florida I don't need it, but it's a hard habit to brake. These kick *** trucks just make ya happy!

RCrawler · 03-09-2012, 09:48 PM

I couldn't get up my driveway in the winter time without one.

If you have a manual transmission, the ability to shift to low range makes trailer backing much easier without having to slip the clutch. The lack of locking hubs on most new trucks makes that impossible anymore.

Jason

JoeofNSB · 03-10-2012, 03:20 AM

I will throw in my 2 cents here and fully agree with everthing that all have said. I have a big 4WD (or is that 6WD??) and most of that was because of the "maybe". Maybe I will end up in Buffalo again and need it, maybe I will be on a dirt road and want it, maybe it will come in handy sometime. I have an older unit with locking hubs so that helps with the 99% of the time. The mileage is less due to the weight but I think it all comes down to personal preference and like "the other Joe from Buffalo said" -"these kick *** trucks just make you happy!!

jje1960 · 03-10-2012, 03:49 AM

I'd agree that it's not needed most of the time, however have used ours a number of times, wet grass or mud with even a slight grade... Seen big powerful trucks just sit there with the rears spinning a bunch of times. If I lived in Florida and never drove off pavement, would be another story.

byrdr1 · 03-10-2012, 04:02 AM

here in NC is just a good ole' boy thing..or a redneck thing

I have driven a truck since I was 16, I have had a truck all but about two years. Those 2 years I had two kids in booster seats. Then I had a 4wheel drive 4 door Explorer. Traded for a 4wd F-150, pulled the popup, traded for 4wd4dr F-250, then I got my 4wdCC F-350. Ford kinda runs in my family??
Its just easy to find a 4wd truck around here. I have cruised the lots lately and I see lots of 2wd on the newer trucks. BUT a far as HD's they are 4wd.
Just easier resale..JMHO
randy

michael · 03-10-2012, 04:09 AM

Piece of mind, It snows in Wisconsin, My merc mountaineer suv has awd as does my truck i use to tow the travel trailer is a 4x4, it dosent take much to get a 2 wheel drive truck stuck, I also carry a 25' tow strap just in case someone gets stuck not a chain, Chains are not safe.

chuck&gail · 03-10-2012, 03:25 PM

In my case TV is also used in winter, not towing. If I wish to drive home, and not try to walk, I need a 4x4 quite a number of times per winter. Suspect I'm not the only one with that reason.

In over 200,000 miles of towing, only really NEEDED 4x4 once. But sure was glad that day, spinning all four before we got to nearest campground. Went from sunny to rain to snow in about half an hour. Spent night in CG, next morning had to push snow with TT door to open it. We stayed there awhile, LOL.

charltons · 03-11-2012, 08:49 AM

I have always had 4WD on my trucks, I use them for hunting, and fishing. In the wet months it helps with a few of the campgrounds I go to that are gravel roads and fairly steep. Overall its just personal preference.....I know quite a few people that have never turned it on...

Hunter757 · 03-11-2012, 09:07 AM

I love mine. I hunt, fish and camp and when I need that extra help its there. When we go on trips to Idaho in the winter its really piece of mind. I have been caught pushing snow with the front bumper hunting so I would say I enjoy the 4X4, oh yah the kids love it to.

Happy Camping.

jerseyphil · 03-11-2012, 02:05 PM

I only used it twice, but sure glad I had it.
Once, this past October, 2011, upon returning from Maine, I backed the 5th wheel along side of the house like I had done many times before. BUT, this time, I didn't realize it had rained several days before coming home and the ground was really soft further away from the house. The right side of the trailer sunk quite deep. Put it back in drive. In 2WD mode, my rear wheels just spun. Put it in 4WD and pulled pretty good. That would have been enough to pull it out, but I also have a rear locker, which I engaged. Pulled out easily.
Soooo happy my truck was well equipped.

kenn209 · 03-11-2012, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerseyphil

I only used it twice, but sure glad I had it.
Once, this past October, 2011, upon returning from Maine, I backed the 5th wheel along side of the house like I had done many times before. BUT, this time, I didn't realize it had rained several days before coming home and the ground was really soft further away from the house. The right side of the trailer sunk quite deep. Put it back in drive. In 2WD mode, my rear wheels just spun. Put it in 4WD and pulled pretty good. That would have been enough to pull it out, but I also have a rear locker, which I engaged. Pulled out easily.
Soooo happy my truck was well equipped.

Been there done that. Tried to put the camper in the backyard. Didn't expect it to sink into the ground! I only had 2WD at the time, and to dig out the camper and use blocks of wood under the truck tires to get it out.. What a day that was. And of course I got the "I told you so" from the wife!! lol

campingcpl · 03-12-2012, 06:41 AM

I have towed with both 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive and feel much safer with the 4 wheel drive. Had a weekend that we went camping and it rained all weekend long and turned the area into a swamp. Come to say the 2 wheel drive truck was no match for the mud. The campground had tractors as well as other campers with 4 x 4's pulling people and their trailers out of the flooded area.

msp2jxr · 03-12-2012, 11:04 AM

I just like the convenience of using low four wheel to back the trailer on boards and blocks to level the trailer. I never really have to work the truck or smell the burned transmission fluid from all the slippage.

Retiredsorta · 03-12-2012, 01:05 PM

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I have never owned a 4 wheel drive as I haven't ever had the need. Some of the campgrounds we have stayed in would certainly need 4 wheel drive if it rained very hard. Hopefully one of my good neighbors would help if I begged. My next tow vehicle will be 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive. Just attended the RV show in Houston and the wife was amazed at some of the 5th wheels. (Upgrade may be sooner than I anticipated). Again, thanks for the feedback.

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