Living with a 4X2

[BWL]

Worked for a property maintenance company and did snow clearing in the winter. We had a pair of 2wd pickups and a 2wd van. A lot of slow driving and wheel spin. Got where we needed to go, but it sucked.

 

[Casper]

It's just about a given in this year of our Lord 2018 that if you have a truck, it has four-wheel drive. And yet just a generation ago, a 4X2 was far more common, and guys managed to drive in snow, on ice, on backroads, haul out their deer and elk, unload their fishing boats and in general, they got along pretty well without a 4X4.
Wondering how the few hardy souls who have adapted to the great handicap of a 4X2 drive train manage to get along in similar conditions these days.

xxxx
Its not my driving in snow and muck I need 4X4 for, its all the idiots crowding the road without FWD, AWD or 4X4 that I need the traction to avoid.

The cost of a wreck is so much higher today in lost use, depreciated value and increased insurance, that driving on snow/ice means I want the agility to make Bozo Dumbm@$$ in his tricked out BMW, or Imported Road-Terrorist in her rice burning beater MISS ME.

 

[BillinNM]

Casper, I understand your viewpoint, having been tailgated on fresh snow by Californians who are too terrified to pass, the idiots.

 

[Random_Walk]

Casper, I understand your viewpoint, having been tailgated on fresh snow by Californians who are too terrified to pass, the idiots.

That's how we know who moved up to Oregon from California

 

[Casper]

That's how we know who moved up to Oregon from California

***
Californication

 

[TurdHorn-2500]

one thing about owning 2wds, you have to really know your vehicle in order to not get stuck. and of course that requires practice. and getting stuck a few times lol! that's how i fare with my one wheel wonders haha!

 

[NewBlackDak]

Lived in TX for 30 years and never needed a 4wd. Bought my first 4x4 when I moved to Utah. Needed it more times than I’d like. Been stuck in sand on multiple occasions with the trailer hitched up. 4wd got me out. Can’t get up to the cabin in the winter without 4wd. Drove 40 miles just after blizzard conditions in 4-hi to rescue my wife.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[22hemi13]

My 2wd 2013 I used to have. It almost got stuck. Was fun lol

 

[BillinNM]

Hemi, what tires were you running that day? Any weight in the back?

 

[TruckNut]

I remember having a 2WD Dakota club cab with a 318. We had a cabin on the lake down by the dirt put-in ramp, complete with holes and loose gravel. I added a factory limited slip, a 60 gallon tank full of water in the bed, and I could pull out my 19' Chaparral. Locals with their 4WD's couldn't believe it. Stopping on the highway with that tank in the back was another matter.

 

[gofishn]

Gofishn, daughter lives in Ames and says about the same thing. Still thinking sandbags in the bed and good winter tires might get a fella through even in Iowa. You say no?

Yeah, 99% of the time, 4X2 with some common sense, good tires, some sand bags/weight in back and #10 scoop shovel will get ya around just fine.
Just stay off the roads when ice storms or that super heavy wet snow begins.

Though some of our streets are too steep and an alternative path must be found. Then again, that is true for 4X4 too. just not as often.

Can't really remember getting stuck, at all, with any rear wheel drive vehicle, outside of the total stupidity of Youth.
Even then, scoop out some snow, lay down some sand, and drive out of any ditch.
Just had to make sure the path was long enough to give easiest grade possible.

Will say, if a choice must be made, always have the best tires on the front.
Far more important, being able to steer, than being able to move and have no control over direction.

 

[gofishn]

I think as long as the driver knows the limitations of the truck, then 2wd will work well enough. Wait until the roads are plowed and those days when the snow is deep or freezing rain is predicted, take a sick day and break out the whiskey. We have snow start flying in October and by November we don't see pavement until April/May. You drive on ice all winter and people don't slow down on the highway. You drive 70mph on the Parks Highway (on ice), or the guy behind you driving 70mph will run you off the road. I see all kinds of 2wd rigs commuting from the valley (hour's drive) on ice the whole way and most never have an issue. Most run a set of studded or good M&S tires. Chains are just for getting unstuck up here. You have to drive slow with them on, and if you just drive that slow without them, you'll be fine unless it's just slick ice out and then I refer you back to the sick day and whiskey.

View attachment 135403

Agree. Chains chew tires, plain and simple.
Rather use a shovel and some sand to get my car out.
though with good M?S or plain Ice tires, never really had much of an issue.

FYI, I loathe Firestone, every since they broke the Unions, but their Blizzacks are superb.

 

[22hemi13]

Hemi, what tires were you running that day? Any weight in the back?

I don't remember the size of tires. Nothing in the back lol. I do remember keeping my foot in the throttle and really working that steering wheel

 

[22hemi13]

Hemi, what tires were you running that day? Any weight in the back?

285/70/17 nitto round them lol

 

[NCRaineman]

I couldn't be bothered to spend the money on a 4x4. We get maybe 2 good snows a winter here in the foothills of NC and then even if I got out there is nowhere to go, as most stores and businesses close. It's not worth the money to have something which will be used only a handful of a times a year and traveling during those times is a big risk I'd rather not take.

 

[sandawilliams]

It's just about a given in this year of our Lord 2018 that if you have a truck, it has four-wheel drive. And yet just a generation ago, a 4X2 was far more common, and guys managed to drive in snow, on ice, on backroads, haul out their deer and elk, unload their fishing boats and in general, they got along pretty well without a 4X4.
Wondering how the few hardy souls who have adapted to the great handicap of a 4X2 drive train manage to get along in similar conditions these days.

The bigger reason I own a 4x4 is while towing my TT I need the low range. Try backing into a camping spot which is up a hill, through trees, twisted corners and the low range allows me to crawl through the gauntlet at an idle.

 

[22hemi13]

The bigger reason I own a 4x4 is while towing my TT I need the low range. Try backing into a camping spot which is up a hill, through trees, twisted corners and the low range allows me to crawl through the gauntlet at an idle.

4lo is just an absolutely amazing feeling. I hardly use it. But when I do I just sit there and smile

 

[usaf2006]

I get lots of questions when people find out my Rebel is 2wd. I have yet to be stuck while doing some light off roading. Saved me over $8k to buy the 2wd Rebel vs a 4wd Rebel here in GA. I'm glad I did!

 

[DoubleB223]

I live in KY, so our winters vary from year to year. But Ive had 2 different 2wd Ram's and Ill admit that the first winter I had my 10' 1500 QC I had a few problems driving in the snow and got stuck several times. Once I replaced the tires and learned how to have some throttle control I got around just fine. When I was forced to up grade to a 17' Ram 2wd ( bought in Savannah, GA and they only had one 4wd that was upwards 60k) I knew that I would be able to handle the mild snow days we have here in Eastern Ky. I do wish I had a 4wd but it is what it is. Only thing I miss is my QC, I stepped down to a CC. Not happy about that fact.

 

[S0CAL]

HA

I know Algebra too but would much prefer to have a calculator handy.

^ mic drop