4WD vs 2WD

The OP lives in Florida with a rare trip up north folks.

 

I live in PA and dealers around here don't even have 4x2 in stock, if that tells you anything. You pay a little extra to buy a 4x4, but you get it back when you sell/trade your truck later.

For the folks living in Florida, I guess it's okay to have a 4x2 if you are certain that you won't go off paved road, etc. When you do get stuck though (in someone's backyard, unpaved parking lot, etc), it really sucks. My wife has a 4x2 van and a few month ago she got stuck in a unpaved parking lot with a tiny incline. Let me tell you, it really sucked.

 

Consumers who use trucks buy 4x4, if you dont you dont.

 

got my 2nd gen 2wd handed down to me from my bro, we live in Socal and he originally got it to move restaurant goods for our family business. Never been off road and Never have towed. Love the truck and has never failed me for what i needed it for. next truck will definitely be 4x4

 

I would never buy a 2WD truck unless it was like a 3rd vehicle for fun that I kept in the garage all winter. However, things are a little different in Canada than in Florida or California, obviously. I would also struggle getting in and out of my lake lot when it's muddy with only RWD.

 

I took my family to Arizona last Christmas it was nice and sunny in CA when we left then got to Arizona and the roads were icy and it was snowing. I used that time to prove to my wife the importance of 4wd, for safety, we were sliding everywhere but I switched it to 4wd and it just stayed straight no slipping unless you brake hard of course but that’s not a 4wd/2wd problem. I tried 2wd on a steep rutted out rocky hill, even with the nannies off tow haul on, then auto LSD and good tires. Shit won’t go up the hill, switched it to 4lo and it went right up easily. Yes there is a big difference between 4wd and 2wd, there are places a 2wd cannot go no matter how badass of a driver you think you are.

 

When I was looking to buy a new truck recently, I couldn't find any 2x2 tundras anywhere north of the state of NC..they are just not available....so I half-heartedly accepted a 4x4. It was slightly easier to find 2x2 from other brands, but I ended up with a new tundra for other reasons. I still don't think I need 4x4 but I'm realizing now it will at least be beneficial in terms of resale value.

 

I prefer 2wd. I'm not an off roader and want a sportier look and ride. To me, TRD Sport and 4x4 don't go together.

 

I had a 2018 tundra 5.7. I used it to tow my camper. I pulled my Airstream to the factory in NW Ohio in December. Had a little snow. I sold it last summer. I can honestly say i never used 4WD one time. I just got a 2021 2WD left over. It has a couple hundred pounds more payload. My trailer now has a 500 lbs tongue weight. That leaves me 1100 lbs for Me, wife, 38gallons of fuel, truck cap if I get one and gear. I can also get a bigger camper with 850 lbs tongue weight and still be fine.. I live by the beach. Lots of my friends drive in the sand. I did it once along time ago..I can walk, rather then get sand all over my truck.

 

2wd is for the poors don't you know

 

If you own a 2x4 and do things that are not on pavement but, aren't heavy duty stuff, throw a winch on the front and you'll be ok.

 

Nothing wrong with 2wd. If you live in a state with mild to harsh winters just buy a good set of snow chains. 4wd is for convenience and serious off-road. 2wd with chains is better than 4wd with no chains in snow/ice. People with 4wd almost never have chains due to over confidence. 4wd will always be better than 2wd in serious off road conditions. I own a 2wd and always have chains under the back seat. Never been stuck in the snow/ice with chains, and a solid set of chains is like $250. Compared to thousands for 4wd for convenience.

 

That’s a good one. Or wait are you for real?

 

LOL this is my first truck so I got a 4x2. Bought it in April and it had a $2,500 discount because it had been on the lot too long. I don’t plan on going off road anytime soon and just went for a country drive and got 24mpg. Not that these trucks are built for fuel savings.

I would automatically assume having more capability with a 4x4 is better than less capability, but again, I have zero plans of doing any driving in the dirt.

I had a Honda Passport with AWD and it was helpful the few times we had to drive in snow to the store when we lived in Utah.

I didn’t realize people hated 4x2 so much, but also I’m 43 and never needed 4x4, so I don’t know what I’m missing haha.

 

I own a 2WD DC, with good tires and good driving. It can still be capable.

 

Are you? In what world of physics would rubber to ice traction be better than chains biting into ice or compacted snow? Please explain

 

4wd is more capable for sure, but each person needs to weigh the price of that capability. Deciding whether or not, they need it. 90% of people don’t need 4wd 99% of the time. I live in the PNW and in all my years of driving have really needed 4wd maybe once or twice, maybe. And only needed it because I was doing things I really should not have been doing with a brand new rig.

 

^^^^

 

people hate 2x4 because it’s not manly enough, it’s not a real truck, it’s has better resale, etc… 2wd owners either don’t need it or don’t see the value. Me personally, I don’t see the value. I’ll spend 10 min in the cold putting on chains once a year for $250 over spending what seems like 5k-10k more for the same truck to turn a switch.

 

Like others have said, it all depends on where you live and what you use the truck for. Is 2WD less manly, yes, yes it is.

 

Here in Texas theres a plethora of 2wd trucks. Its easier to load mulch in the back of a bed than it is to stuff it in the back of a honda accord.

 

Of course chain will grab better than rubber on ice or packed snow, but what’s the point when you have good traction in the back but can’t steer worth shit, as the rear is pushing you and try to turn and still going straight, With rubber 4x4 once your tires get traction means better steering.

 

Not trying to change the subject, but since I’m new to owning a truck I used to ask truck people why they lift them and put on big tires, did their job require it or was there an actual reason? So far the answer has been “because they want to”.

I just didn’t get it, but maybe its the same answer why someone gets an 800hp car - because they can.

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsjbB0fJMk0/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

Lift and larger tires is intended for clearance and more tire to ground contact. Ground contact can be increased by lowering psi, but thats another subject. A lift and bigger tire makes the vehicle more capable off-road with approach, break over and departure angle. But most “lifted” rigs never see dirt. These “pavement princesses” are for looks only. Keep in mind that the more you lift and larger the tire, most of the time make the truck less reliable and have less work utility.

 

4wd and 2wd will both have that problem, that issue is caused by going to fast on ice, it’s called understeer. But with chains that’s speed is controlled, you can stop when you want to stop. 4wd does not help you stop. Again, on ice 2wd with chains are better than 4wd without.

 

I'd rather have snow tires than chains.

 

2wd truck get stuck.

4wd truck get buried.

 

I have had both, now driving with 2wheel drive and would not consider a 4wheel if I was replacing my present truck.

I just don’t need a chest pounding, manly, jacked up, big tire truck.

 

They make 2wd trucks? Well that’s worthless lol. 4x4 always. It’s really funny when you find a 2wd 4Runner, absolutely baffling.