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Direct Link To This Post Topic: F 150 4x2 or 4x4
    Posted: 28 Jul 2015 at 5:10pm
I'm going to be upgrading my Xterra 4x4 to a F-150. At first I was thinking a 4x4, but I'm also considering a 4x2. I live in NC so winters aren't an issue and we will be doing some extensive traveling throughout US and Canada, but never up north in the winter.
What are your thoughts? Pros? Cons?
Thanks
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furpod View Drop Down
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Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2015 at 5:29pm
In my world, trucks are four wheel drive. Very rarely do I hear someone complain about having it.. but often owners wish they had gotten it later.
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2015 at 5:43pm
4WD isn't just for snow and ice. It's also for sand, gravel. leaves, hills, and any other slippery surfaces. Remember you're trying to move another several thousand pounds and a slipping wheel can make it difficult or damage the surface of wherever you're trying to extract the camper from. I even use it to avoid digging up my sandy driveway. I've never owned anything but 4WD and probably never will. Don't leave home without it. 
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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Posts: 43 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2015 at 5:50pm
We have had both the F150 4x2 and our current F250 4x4 and definitely would recommend a 4x4.
2015 178 R-Pod
Ford F-250 4x4 Diesel
2014 Indian Vintage
2010 HD Ultra Classic
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2015 at 6:06pm
I totally agree with all said. Just trying to save a few bucks, but I'd regret it the minute I drove off the lot with a 4x2. While I don't use 4WD a lot on my Xterra, when I've needed it I had it. 
Enough said... I've come to my senses.
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2015 at 6:11pm
Excellent! Glad to have you back in the real world with us.  Wink
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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Posts: 4508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2015 at 9:08pm
A brief moment of madnessLOL
Leo & Melissa Bachand
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2015 at 10:09pm
Originally posted by Leo B

A brief moment of madnessLOL

it actually lasted 56 minutes.
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2015 at 10:51pm
Glad to see the convincing is already done, but I'll throw in more info related to towing.  I've had to switch into 4WD on gravel when trying to pull the camper onto blocks (for leveling).  Did that twice on this trip after spinning the wheels.  I've often turned it on (or at least Auto mode) during heavy rain to be safer, which I will sometimes do w/o the camper, and I've now made Auto my SOP when towing all the time.  On the Chevys, Auto pre-engages some of the 4WD mechanism so the computer can quickly turn it on when needed.

I had two incidents in the last few weeks when crossing loose gravel in the middle of the road while crossing from one side to the other - once I would have jack-knifed if I hadn't acted quickly.  In that case I was already using Auto all the time but had turned it to 2WD the day before when we did a trip into town w/o the camper and I forgot to turn it back on.  The rear wheels kicked free and the camper started pushing me sideways.  Also - oddly - I've found with my heavy camper (about 7000 pounds loaded) Auto mode has made it much more stable at highway speeds.  Maybe it is briefly locking the rear diff?  I don't know.  At first I thought it was in my head, but I did lots of testing on and off, and the real proof was days where I still had it on 2WD after a day sightseeing and then got on the highway headed to the next destination and felt that little bit of instability again - until I turned Auto on again.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2015 at 8:35am
Expedition has auto mode too.. But yeah, a couple CG's we go to, 4x4 is pretty handy getting to "the best" sites..
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