Does Four Wheel Drive Matter?

160x

New Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2007
Messages
3
Location
Destin, FL
I'm thinking of trading in my 2002 Ford Explorer or a new one, or perhaps an F-150. My Explorer is not a 4X4 and I have always wondered if having a 4X4 makes for easier or better towing. Does it?

Thanks, John
 
My Expy has 4wd, the biggest difference is that the tow capacity is less than its non 4wd counterpart. I usually tow in 2wd, though once put it in 4wd to get out of a grassy field without spinning my wheels. I can't say I noticed a huge difference in that 5 minutes, except my wheels didn't slip!
 
I pulled my Funfinder 189FBR with my Explorer 4.0 Liter V6 and now plan to tow my new 210WBS. Do you use a weight equilizer? that would help a lot, you will notice the trailer behind you even with an F150.
 
160x said:
I'm thinking of trading in my 2002 Ford Explorer or a new one, or perhaps an F-150. My Explorer is not a 4X4 and I have always wondered if having a 4X4 makes for easier or better towing. Does it?

Thanks, John
I tow my 16" FunFinder with a 2008 V8 Explorer 4X4. Being from the mountains of PA the 4 wheel drive is invaluable in the snow. If I lived in FL I would have second thoughts about a 4X4. The 4 wheel drive mechanism adds a lot of extra expense, complication, and extra weight to the drive train. A two wheel drive vehicle will get better gas mileage and is just as good of a tow vehicle. So if 4X4 is not really needed, why bother (except the 4X4 logo looks cool on the rear).
 
The only spot we'ved camped at in our FF so far we actually needed 4x4 to get there (it wasn't a developed site). Beyond being able to get int and out of more remote spots, i don't think the 4x4 will have much to do with your paved road towing ability, sans inclement weather.
 
As was mentioned above, 4x4s have a reduced tow/load capability (~450-500 lbs to allow for the weight of the components), additional maintenance requirements and complexity. Unless you live in an area that has need of 4 wheel drive or have a farm where your TV does double duty, or, camp in areas that are muddy, sandy or icy, you can save money and load capacity by staying 2x4. If you buy a 4x4, 99.99% of the time you will be in 2x4 mode, why pay the premium unless you have a specific need?

That being said, I have towed with a 2x4 and 4x4 and will say that a full time constant 4 wheel drive is much more stable and secure. The only vehicles made that have that feature are the Jeep line of SUVs. You will find a "hard core" group of us Jeep TV owners that swear by the "full time, all the time" advantages of 4 wheel drive. The Jeeps (Commander, now discontinued, and Grand Cherokees) make excellent tow vehicles for the small to medium sized family of trailers (the Commander and GC have tow capacities to 7400 lbs) and go from pavement to gravel to mud to snow to sand to rain slicked roads without missing a beat. I too am in the mountainous area of PA and all of my vehicles (even my lawn tractor) are 4 wheel drive, but, that is not because of towing, but, just a result of my environment.
 
Actually the Toyota LandCruiser is a full-time 4wd too. In fact, unlike the Jeep GC and Commander, there is no 2wd option. While I love my LandCruiser and it's 4wd, the gas mileage is terrible. That's the one big advantage with 2wd is great gas mileage. I wish there was a 2wd option for the LandCruiser like the Jeeps.
_________________
Jennings - Shopping for flatbed trailer for towing ATVs.
 
Forgot about the LandCruiser, and actually the Lexus MDX (I think they share a common chasis/drive train now). I had a 1984 LandCruiser, but, that was in the part-time 4 wheel drive days. I think the Porsche unit is also full-time 4 wheel drive... Forgive me, I'm a hillbilly now and in our neck of the woods it is still Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Jeep :LOL:

The Jeep GC and the old Commanders were available as 2wd units, but, I've never seen one. Not a whole lot of point in buying a Jeep or a LandCruiser, for that matter, if you aren't going for the off-road / all weather capability. Dodge has plenty of other vehicles that are just 2wd and, as you mentioned, they get much better mileage. I've got to admit though, for my Commander, at 3 tons, full time 4 wd and with the 5.7 Hemi, I get 16-18 mpg on the mountain back roads in my "neighborhood" and 19+ on the highway. Towing is ~10.5 mpg (worst 8.8 and best was 13).

Could be a whole lot worse... I could have a 48' MH DP at <6 mpg :shock:
 
I would guess that if you have not needed a 4X4 up to this point, you can do very well with out it on your new vehicle. I would spec it with a factory locking rear end though so you have at least a 2 wheel drive in slippery conditions. That is usually about a $300 option and does not effect your gas consumption or your turning radius. The new explorer is a great looking vehicle and the F150 would make a fantastic choice with the new EcoBoost V-6 engine.
It would give you great MPG while not towing and have super power to pull all those Floridia mountains.
Good luck on your new tow vehicle.
ArizAl
 

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