2wd vs 4wd?

your issue here (assuming you got stuck) is that you likely "beached" the 4R to where your tires weren't making contact with terra firma. Just stacked up on and packed in snow so now the 4R was "floating" on top of it. 4wd wouldn't be much help in this situation either (which is what I think you were alluding to).

 

Yeah absolutely. But all it took to get out was a set of traction boards and 5 minutes of shoveling.

 

I’d take a 4x4 with both open diffs over a locked 2wd every time. A double or triple locked 4wd is obviously the best. 2wd

 

I had an 06 Tacoma pre runner that was 2wd. I bought it when I lived in southern CA and lived at the beach. I didn’t miss 4th too much and just learned to drive differently if off-roading.

Once I moved to CO I REALLY missed 4wd. I took that truck to some tough spots with chains and a lot of effort but it’s so much easier to just push that button.

Also, the mpg difference wasn’t that significant. We’re still talking about a relatively boxy, higher clearance SUV here. Maybe 2mpg difference in real world?

I’d never buy another 2wd truck or SUV, even if I lived in a place where “I’d never need it”. You’ll definitely find a reason to want/need it at some point.

Lastly, if you’re asking this question on a forum like this it won’t be long til you’re getting lifts, tires, and suspension upgrades Once you end up there you’re gonna kick yourself for dumping cash into a 2wd truck that should be a 4wd truck.

 

Slippery boat ramp + 4wd lo = much less worry than 2wd even with a locker/limited slip. (don't need your family standing over the wheel wells in the bed like some people I see)

 

^ HUGE pucker factory when you forget to put the truck in 4wd drive at the boat ramp and the water’s low with a nice mossy, slimey bottom…

 

^^^^
Around here we have a substance named pluff mud. It was invented when they needed something slicker than owl shit, but smelled worse.
If you’re retrieving your boat mid-tide (around here we have +-6’ tides) your trucks rear wheels will be in the mud and the fronts will be on non-muddy ramp. If the ramp isn’t too steep and your easy on the gas usually there’s not a problem, but if conditions aren’t good your not getting up the ramp in 2WD.

 

Then you don't "need" 4wd. I've seen plenty of folks in 4wd vehicles get into trouble because they thought, "pfft, I can get through that". Including myself. 2wd will make you think twice about going too far off road.
Aside from living in 3 southern states for 6 mo each, I've lived in Buffalo NY, or surrounding areas for 50 yrs. Driving for 35 of 'em. Didn't have a 4wd until I was well into my 30s. On my 3rd tundra now and the last 2 were 4wd. Even with buffalo winters and driving the last tundra around on our rural property, I can count on one hand, the times I "needed" 4wd between both trucks. Most of the times I used 4wd on the road is when it was covered with hard pack snow. But I just wanted to drive like an asshole. I didn't "need" it. Drove through most of my Buffalo winters in 2wds. Drove to my buddy's hunting cabin for 6 seasons in a rwd Ford van. And that was up in the hills and dirt roads. I decided to go with a 2wd tundra this time, just because I've made it this far without needing 4wd and I figure I can manage. There's always the "call a buddy" option and keep a tow strap in the truck.
That said, if you think you'll be launching boats, muddin', rock climbing or just otherwise getting into gnarly off-road situations, get 4wd.
I also agree that if you go with a 2wd, keep some extra gear onboard, just in case.