:confused: I will be purchasing a 35’ 5<SUP>th</SUP> Wheel in the near future and will be traveling all over the country including lace Canada including mountains. We are planning on traveling for a month at a time. At this point I am going with the F350, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<img src=" /><st1:stockticker>PSD</st1:stockticker>, DRW, CC or expanded cab, Tow Boss package (4.3 axel), Lariat. My question is do I need the four wheel drive or will the two wheel drive be just as good. My concern is pulling a 14-15K trailer in bad weather conditions without the 4X4. Any experience or help would greatly be appreciated.

4WD... for the 5% of time when you need it... you'll kick yourself for not buying it

And All The Time For Buying A F**d!

4x4 for resale also, and all the time for buying a F**d!

I did not tow with a 4X4 until a few years ago. I never thought I needed it. I almost got stuck on a dirt road with a steep incline once, though. Then I bought a GMC:D 4X4 and have really appreciated it the few times the going got tough. It is amazing how little slick mud or loose gravel it takes to stop your pull in 2WD.

Now my wife has to remind me, "Just because its in 4WD doesn't mean it will go anywhere." :rolleyes: I have to remind her, "It's not how deep the water is in the tracks, it's how high the ground is between the tracks." (But that's another story):o

Been stuck a couple times pulling out of a "campground" after a NASCAR race with the 5'ver connected. Been stuck trying to dump my dump trailer too.

Wish I would have spent the extra $$ to get 4x4

If you even think that someday, maybe, you might possibly, at least theoretically, camp in an open field, on wet dirt or grass, or boon dock in a remote place get the 4WD. Except for the relatively modest cost you'll never regret having it, even if you never need it. But, if you ever need it and don't have it you'll hate yourself. Especially, when some smirking kid pulls you out of difficulty with his shiny yellow truck, or worse in your case, an overly helpful neighbor with a Duramax 4x4.

TC

4x4......Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!

Get it..........

I just went from a 4x2 to a 4x4. Everything posted here is right on the money and I have experienced it. Trying to sell in the paper I had no bites, trying to trade in at a dealer I had several that did not want it and a couple that hit it 6K back of book! Naturally your lo-cal may influence your market, but in my case it was the worst financial decision I ever made next to my Sundowner trailer.

4x4 only has to save you once and it will be worth every penny. Only real down side is it subtracts about 400 lbs from your GVW, if you can even consider this a down side.

JP

Agree with all of the above. 4WD is THE way to go for these trucks. They're real heavy in the front end, and you want that end pulling when you need it to. About 10% of the time I'm in clayey fields, snow or ice. Who knows what trouble hasn't happened. The peace of mind alone is worth it.

Also: Think GM because they use good transmissions. Fewer "horror stories" about the Allison and even the Hydramatics.

I'll go against the grain - I've got a 2004 GMC 2500HD CC 4X2 with D/A and it is the second one I have owned. I tow a 32' 5th wheel. In many years of camping, I have never been stuck. A couple of reasons explain this. One, my 5th wheel is NOT made for pulling off-highway so the worst I get on is gravel roads. Second, and this is a MUST with 2 wheel drive, order your truck with a limited slip rear end.

Now, I am what would be considered a "Texas Redneck" so I do enjoy a little four wheelin from time to time. So when the urge comes, I just climb in my Jeep Wrangler and get it out of my system. When you are lucky enough to own a Jeep, a 4 wheel drive pickup really won't do anything for you. It's a Jeep thing.:D

OK, first off I'm thinking about changing my handle to "Budliteliker"! ):h Great handle dude!

When I went to buy my truck I was going for a 4x2 to save the bucks. Mama JJ interceded, slapped some sense into me, and I drove out with a 4x4. :rolleyes: Seems I had forgotten about us sliding backwards down the exit to a RV campground, oh yeah, I was pulling a 30' trailer at the time. On the plus side I found out I'm as good towing backwards as I am forwards (didn't jack-knife), the negative side was when the back tires lost traction it was like a lead weight pulling us backwards, couldn't stop it! :eek:

Mama JJ was never going through that experience again. You will be amazed at the difference having four wheels (six with a dually:D ) planted firmly under you. Oh yeah, WHAT EVERYONE ELSE SAID! JJ :)

One weekend I had to use my 4X4 three times, while camping. Had to slow right down (for close clearance) on a gravel road going up hill. 2wd just spun. 4X4 got us going and up hill.
Backing into site (wet grass and going uphill, again) After saying "f Censored k this campground" went to another...... Trying to back up onto concrete pad. Concrete was three inches higher than wet grass. Only other option was to take a run at.

Another time and place....used my truck to get another campers trailer into his site. Semi loose sand was involved, and ofcourse a hill.

Wolf Fox; where are you located?

Buy a 4x4 and you will never regret it.
Don't learn the hard way.
___________________
04.5LLY 2500HD CC 4x4

Pensacola-Milton, FL Area

If you stick to reputable private campgrounds, than you won't need the 4X4. However if you are travelling across the country, you might find that your choices on where you stay are limited.
Snow may not be a factor while travelling. You can park it, until things clear. But mud, wet grass, loose gravel, sand will be the dumb a$$ luck stuff to worry about.
I have a 30' fifth wheel. We like to camp in some out of the way places. 4X4 has been great to have. But doesn't make one invinceable.

What kinds of places do you think/expect you might get into? Stuff to think about.

Buy 4x4 ive been stuck on the side of road by lauglin , dumount dunes glamis barstow I tow gearbox 34 and totally in love with 4x4 used it numerous times already the trailer weighs 9300 empty put all gear and vw inside it is max for truck which is 13800 i believe

First trip to Yosemite in Winter, 01 D/A 2X2.
Second trip to Yosemite in Winter,03 D/A 4x4

Better to have it and not need it, then the other way around.

The Ford 4X4, sits up pretty high, I have heard of folks having to flip their axles on the trailer, when they sit to tall which makes the whole rig ride higher, not sure if this will be an issue for you, just something to consider.

That's why when my father inlaw lifted his chevy 8.1, he had to have me move his fifth wheel.

Spent a day last March in New Mexico & 12" + of blowing snow. Glad I had 4X4.

I would go with the 4x4. It's usually a long cold walk if you need it and don't have it.

4x4 will also yield better resale value. Plus you have fewer limitations with a 4x4. JJ :)

Have looked at a brand new 2004 Chevy Duramax/Allison with a 3.73, 4X4, I just purchase a 2003 Coachman somerset 34IKS, 14500 pounds

Is it the right truck

Andre

Where did you find a NEW 2004 D/A. Any way, to answer your question, yes.
You'll love the Allison with the grade braking feature. Allison is the main reason I went GM but the truck is absolutely worthy of 5 stars. If you go with the Ext. cab--look for one with the plow package, its has a little extra for suspension because of the size of that 5th wheel. Depending on your needs however, I'd personally go for the crew cab--wish I'd gone that route. Good luck on finding the perfect tow.

I recently pulled a 6x12 enclosed empty trailer up Fancy Gap pass I-77, snow and ice everywhere NC had not salted the road all nite long, in 2wd I almost lost it several times hitting patches of black ice, engaged 4x4 & crawled up the mountain, stranded semis, & cars both sides of the hiway, semis that pull off to the side had gotten stuck as they could not get their loads rolling in wet grass/mud again. 4x4 don't leave home/tow without it IMO.