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

Yup. Just stay on the gas in mud.

 

Blaaaaack!

 

Whether or not you can make it 2wd just depends on fast you’re willing to go...

 

The one issue with this is weight distribution. The weight of the tent/frame over the rear wheels will be helpful

 

Back in high school a good friend of mine was gifted a beater 2WD GMC with a 6 banger, column shifter, "which suxs by the way", and had a Eaton Det-Riot locker! Western Orygun logging roads= mud . We took that peice of crap GMC all over...but...got stuck a lot..heh...heh..
A come-a-long and a long chain pretty much got us out of "most" situations. Sometimes there was a long hike involved.......It's all about where you want to go and sometimes you have to experience 2WD's getting stuck. Recovery gear was somewhat primitive back in the early 70's compared to what you can get now!

 

.....and clearance issues when mounted too high. Desert overlanding is usually not an issue but here in CO, there can be overhead obstacles and most folks won't take a chainsaw or bow saw to clear the way, especially to prevent getting a pinstripe from Spruce tree branches sticking out next to the road. Too much pride. That's why I avoid some trail runs. There's always those "I don't want to get my truck scratched" folks. I'd be embarrassed quite frankly. That's what full size truck mall crawling is for.....if you can't fit without trimming branches because you might be worried getting a scratch.....then get a Jeep! Heh..heh...
A 2WD will get you most places here in CO now. Of course there are trails here where clearance is a concern. Skids a must even with a 2WD or 4WD.

 

Great point in the low hanging branches!!

 

Low overhanging dead windfall trees overhead! I've posted numerous pics of those on my build thread. Never hit any until my MX topper. Once was enough for me.

 

Don't bring beers and you should not get stuck.

 

You can bring beer just drink them later at camp with good beans......

 

I have wheeled in Colorado, Wyoming and upper Peninsula Michigan, Never had clearance issue. Guess, it depends where u go.

bottom line, u should be ok with 2wd. Remember, it’s the jockey not the horse.

 

Seriously....? Horse throws a shoe.........jockey's day is over......it's all about the horse...just sayin. I live here in CO. I first wheeled here in 79. Got back here in 2004. I guarantee I can get you where you will have clearance issues. Easy You can be the best jockey on the planet but if you draw a lame horse???? I've wheeled in Orygun, Washington, Kali, Idaho, Wyoming, New Mexico, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Baja>>down to San Felipe and over to San Blas by ferry. Nevada> Loughlin, Black Rock Desert. Japan, Philippines. All starting in 1971. 49 years ago....Oh wait....I forgot....BC, Yukon Territory, and Alaska.......you are right, guess it depends where you go

 

4wd might not be required but it can sure come in handy.

Better than not having it any day in my experience.

 

Just stay out of mud, sand/silt, and snow and you will be fine. Good tires go a surprisingly long distance offroad in terms of traction. I have done some really crazy trails in many different tucks and really have only needed 4x4 a few times. One was rock crawling and the other was snow.

Edit: Also never go alone if you can avoid it. Tow straps are much cheaper than an offroad tow truck

 

Also once you set up camp, your truck is stuck there until your ready to pack out, your truck is camp. There is no "quick trip to the lake, or afternoon adventure"

 

Ever see the video of the guy at Moab in a Crown Vic?

 

I’ll never own a full size suv or truck that isn’t 4x4 but if I did I would miss low range more than the ability to have power going to both axles. A locker will get you near the same amount of traction as a 4x4 but being able to crawl in low range without any pedal input makes a would be a tough drive enjoyable.

 

This is a great point that is overlooked a lot of times for sure.

I also can not remember every time I have been camping pulling a small trailer where I drove right into my spot without trouble but then needed the help of 4wd to just get out of the same spot the next morning early with a little dew fresh on the ground!?
It can be tough to get going from a dead stop on freshly slick ground and I too will not get another truck that does not have 4wd again.

I have had almost identical Tundras first without and then with 4wd and it is reassuring obviously to have it whether I need it or not.

 

You are correct. Don't use a chain when getting yanked out by another truck, especially if they don't plan to slowly tension the chain first.

Some places (dirt yards/dumps/steel yards/etc) wont pull you out with anything other than a chain and they don't supply chains. I dont see the issue using a chain with "slow speed" recovery. A slow moving piece of equipment, winch, come a long, power puller, high lift winch, etc.

 

This^^^ a RTT is an anchor sometimes. The main reason I decided not to go that route. Not useful for me to have a tent permanently mounted.

 

Also. Dont forget the gear to adjust tire pressure as needed.

 

Yep, nothing wrong with using a chain. You don't yank with a chain like you can do with a recovery strap. You don't yank with a winch either. Constant pull. I have a nice recovery strap but recovery straps are fairly new on the scene. Chains were used for over a hundred years pulling out trucks.

 

if a FWD

Yeah.. its an episode of Top Gear USA. They took a crown vic, mustang and a Yaris to Moab.

If a FWD Yaris can conquer Moab, a 2wd Tundra will be more than capable.

 

It's amazing what you can do in a rental

 

where ever I go, I go fast...

 

BLAAAAAAAACK Tundras are known to be fast

 

Supercharged & Raptor Eater.

 

Every time someone says 4x4 is required I think about all the times I've gotten miles and miles out, posted up for the night and then watch as some fool in a Civic or a Kia or something comes dragging by. I dont do anything crazy by any means but I've always felt like where I've gone has scratched that itch in a way that most of us here would be good enough with.

Sure there are those occasions where it really is needed, especially in bad weather or wet seasons, but in the dry summer, you mostly just need a decent set of huevos or a heuvos sized brain./s

Honestly, just be smart.