Is 4WD required for overloading and some off-road?

Hey Everyone,
I currently have a 15 RWD DC. I want to start overlanding and going off-road. Nothing super extreme but I would like to go on trails and some rough terrain.

I also what to add a bedrack and tent.
I currently have Bilstein 6112 and 5160 with Icon UCa and coachbuilder shackles on order.

Im currently running 18inch rims with BF Mud-Terrian KO3 275/70R18

Would this setup be enough or would I need 4x4?

I attached pics of how it currently sits. Stock suspension with 3 inch spacers

 

Just know the limits of your truck. Maybe think about a rear locker? And a couple traction boards.

 

Not required. You can easily go down most trails and forest roads in 2wd. Anything more severe the tundra isn’t made for anyway. You won’t be rock crawling in a tundra. If you find something that’s difficult, you could consider an lsd or locker.

 

Yea, no rock crawling. just want to ride rough roads and visit national parks and ride the trails

 

Yes you need 4wd, it’s always better to have and not need it then need it and not have it. There’s a reason some trails say “4wd only”, there’s shit a 2wd just cannot do no matter how good of a driver you claim to be. Yes tundras have limitations because of IFS, length and width and no lockers but just 4wd will take you much farther than 2wd.

 

Truck is paid off so I don't want another payment for a 4x4 upgrade.

 

Im staying away from mud. Its more the rough roads.

Ill be with someone in a tundra 4x4 and 4runner 4x4 with winches if anything.

 

@Jalzate44 ok well in that case you can still do trails with 2wd just air down and have some recovery gear, know your limits and the trucks limits and you’ll be fine in a 2wd.

 

As others have said, you just need to learn (and be aware of) the limits of your truck. Only one way to do that. With good tires and appropriate trail selection i bet your truck would be quite capable.

I'd highly recommend some traction boards (such as MaxTrax). I've never had to use mine for my own truck, but have used them multiple times to get people out of deep soft sand with little effort.

Also, good tow points / straps / soft shackles and preferably a buddy to help yank you out if you get stuck would be high on my list as well.

 

the Bilstein setup should be more than enough correct?

 

Yep

 

And another truck

 

Honestly stock suspension will do just fine with what you plan to do, if you want to upgrade do it right the first time. I went with Kings and I love em, well worth the money

 

I went a lot of places in TX with a 2WD Tundra, Auburn LSD, 6112/5100, and ST Maxx tires. Only times I got stuck were my fault and 4WD would have gotten stuck too. Get a some recovery gear (including chain) and a bolt on front receiver. Could get a front winch if you wanted to spend the money.

I was in the same boat as you. Paid off 2WD. Just ran it till a lady in a Kia took it out.

Just run what you have and get a 4WD next time. Also, skip the RTT unless you are looking for more instagram followers.

 

This^^^....If I had a 2WD Tunny I would invest in an Auburn Limited Slip Differential. True LSD's work a heck of a lot better that the OEM auto LSD. Certainly can't hurt.
We might be having a GoTread group buy soon. Check out GoTreads.com
Quite reasonable and way cheaper than MaxxTraxx.

 

better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it.

 

why don't you recommend the RTT?

looking to do this trip in the next month and was planning on getting a RTT

https://maps.roadtrippers.com/trips/30160322

 

Some folks don't like ground tenting. I do. RTT's get you off the ground $$$, requires a RTT bed rack $$$, and pretty much restricts hauling anything in the bed other than camping gear which is ok if you don't use your bed for anything else. Depends on need and if you have ground critter-o-phobia.

 

For what u wanna do, U will be fine with a 2wd and what u have.

I have a 2wd with a 3 inch lift and all terrain tires. I drive in snow and use it for over landing etc.

I drove from Telluride to Ourey through Imogene pass last year. The trail only allows high clearance 4WD with short wheel base.

 

Don't. You'll ge to plenty of places with your truck.

 

I guarantee that if you hit Imogene Pass in early Spring or in the Fall after a good snow hits, you'll wish you had 4WD....

 

here is my RTT on a 2wd

 

haha
it was last year in August. A guy in the Jeep told me

“turn around and go back, u won’t make it...”
He lost the bet

 

I have unintentionally gone down some muddy trails. My truck is 2WD. Disable all the nannies and stay on the gas...even if you get sideways.

 

put your RTT on the roof and the gear on the bed

 

I used to have a 2007 RCSB 4x2 with Sports Appearance Package. I played with it off road when I had the Kings installed. I removed my rear sway bar, added some weight on the bed--500lbs right above the axle. On this config, it had more traction than with an empty bed. Next mod was remove the front sway bar. Then added more weight on the bed-almost 700 lbs. Great rear traction here. With the front, being able to flex, it kept the rear wheels planted. This terrain was more of an uneven than slippery like mud, sand, or snow.

Be aware also of uphills and down hills on dirt roads. On 4x4 I can shift low and 4 wheels can use engine braking to keep speed slow and controlled. On uphills, your rear tires might start loosing traction and kick out a lot of rocks. Let the person behind you know to keep back as far away or he/she won't be happy with cracked windshield.

Depending on the terrain, you may not be able to steer on the direction you want/need to cause there's no power to the front wheels. The wheels will turn but, the truck will still go forward.

 

Easy Peasy in August.

 

in that case send that ish!

 

I recently sold my ARE MX topper because of overhanging deadfall trees. That extra 4" in height was not cutting it. Those deadfalls would do a number big time on a roof mounted RTT. Depends where you wheel.