Do you REALLY NEED 4×4?

[Chili]

I'm also from Canada (Winterpeg...) and there are very few 2WD trucks. But, during and after a winter storm, a good portion of the vehicles in the ditch are 4WD trucks ... probably because drivers think 4WD enables them to drive "normally" regardless of the conditions.

I see it here in MN too, yahoo's in 4wd's that don't realize 4wd really only helps you leave from a stop.

I have driven a rwd work truck or van for the last 15 years through all sorts of weather

Thanks so much for all your imput! I made my final decision today to go with the basic 2 wheel drive. It really came down to need for it and I really don't with my lifestyle and use. If I was 10-15 years younger and still doing a lot of fishing and outdoor activities I probably would for the 'just in case' thing but without it it makes fo a real bargain too..
For those of you who might be considering a 2024 XL here's real numbers for you to consider (with rear privacy glass..)
Invoice after-4% :$35,843.00
Out the door ALL taxes fees ect..$38,352.00
8 year 100K Zero deductible, enhanced rental and key fob:
$2,200.00
Grand Total: $40,552.00
That's the BEST price I think it's possible to buy a new well equipped F-150..With 8 years and 100 thousand "Where is my loaner?" Dodge and Chevy can't come remotely near that..
Plus ya get the 5.0!!!

Invoice -4%? Sounds like a Granger deal? I'm sure you'll love it.

Short box or 8'?

If you don't like the stock wheels you can always throw a set of BFG Trail terrains on. Tyre reviews tested them as top in the snow / off road for an all terrain tire. Being in Florida it doesn't sound like you'll venture to places with snow often so that's a good compromise too.

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[3DogKnight]

Is that the place where the mosquitos are the size of drones?

747's

 

[UNIKRN150]

I'm ordering a 2024 F-150 XL single cab and wanted to ask yall do you really need or use 4 wheel drive for most of your back country adventures? The basic truck is a 5.0 with a 3.73 locker that I imagine is fairly capable with quality all terrain tires but I have no first hand experience. I bought 2 new 4×4 SUV's (Kia Sportage 1998 and 2002) and never actually had to use it! But I did NOT venture into really bad or muddy territory. We had family in West Virginia and snow could have been a issue but never actually was. I'm in Florida and most of the family up there moved down here so not really a factor now.
I've never owned a single cab short bed truck before but but what little I have heard is that for most back county adventures it is a great platform!
So what has been your experience? Do you find you can get around in 2 wheel drive just fine or do you engage the 4×4 as a matter of course when you leave the pavement? My thoughts were quality tires made a big difference with a rear locker and if I really got worried about getting stuck a small front bumper winch might be a viable option..But I have no real experience. Mom always said ask someone who knows lolol!

I can’t imagine why anyone would “need” a 4x4 in Florida. …maybe northern Florida.

But having the ability to go all wheel drive in one of Florida’s torrential downpours could offer the ability to stay attached to the asphalt.

 

[FORDTEXAS]

do you want a gun to save your life or would you rather be gunless?

 

[Bossharp]

Well..I have a few 40's and a 10mm close by. But the five grand 4×4 costs makes it a question of need rather than just want.

 

[HANCOCK]

May not need 4X4 but one day you may have to use it and you have it . It's like having a wife you don't really need it ...... HAHA

 

[SumGuy]

If you never do anything off pavement, ever, then a 2WD will be fine.

What do you need a truck for? Why not get an suv?

 

[ks54703]

Well..I have a few 40's and a 10mm close by. But the five grand 4×4 costs makes it a question of need rather than just want.

Guess you just answered your own question. Do you really need to go off road or just want too?

 

[TXGREEK]

I'm ordering a 2024 F-150 XL single cab and wanted to ask yall do you really need or use 4 wheel drive for most of your back country adventures? The basic truck is a 5.0 with a 3.73 locker that I imagine is fairly capable with quality all terrain tires but I have no first hand experience. I bought 2 new 4×4 SUV's (Kia Sportage 1998 and 2002) and never actually had to use it! But I did NOT venture into really bad or muddy territory. We had family in West Virginia and snow could have been a issue but never actually was. I'm in Florida and most of the family up there moved down here so not really a factor now.
I've never owned a single cab short bed truck before but but what little I have heard is that for most back county adventures it is a great platform!
So what has been your experience? Do you find you can get around in 2 wheel drive just fine or do you engage the 4×4 as a matter of course when you leave the pavement? My thoughts were quality tires made a big difference with a rear locker and if I really got worried about getting stuck a small front bumper winch might be a viable option..But I have no real experience. Mom always said ask someone who knows lolol!

4X4 is a must! Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!

 

[boo radley]

Typically only need it when you need it.

I like being prepared and to have the ability to drive anywhere ar anytime.

I drove to Minnesota in February. On the way back I got caught in a white out. All you could see was the taillights of the car in front. A wreck happened and I had to use shift on the fly 4x4 and go off highway to avoid the pile up and not get rear ended by a bus or semi. They shut the highway down.

 

[boo radley]

I'm ordering a 2024 F-150 XL single cab and wanted to ask yall do you really need or use 4 wheel drive for most of your back country adventures? The basic truck is a 5.0 with a 3.73 locker that I imagine is fairly capable with quality all terrain tires but I have no first hand experience. I bought 2 new 4×4 SUV's (Kia Sportage 1998 and 2002) and never actually had to use it! But I did NOT venture into really bad or muddy territory. We had family in West Virginia and snow could have been a issue but never actually was. I'm in Florida and most of the family up there moved down here so not really a factor now.
I've never owned a single cab short bed truck before but but what little I have heard is that for most back county adventures it is a great platform!
So what has been your experience? Do you find you can get around in 2 wheel drive just fine or do you engage the 4×4 as a matter of course when you leave the pavement? My thoughts were quality tires made a big difference with a rear locker and if I really got worried about getting stuck a small front bumper winch might be a viable option..But I have no real experience. Mom always said ask someone who knows lolol!

I've had 4x4 living in Texas and Georgia.

It snowed 1 foot on I-10 when I moved from Houston to San Antonio. In Georgia freak snow storms would occur every year or so. I used 4x4 in both places. I pulled a lumber truck out of the mud in GA.

I look at it like what is my life or health worth. 4x4 just might keep me out of the hospital or funeral home.

 

[thebestbear]

4WD is a definite for any use off road or ice and snow driving.
in 2WD mode I have already gotten stuck in sand, snow and a steep gravel driveway in the mountains in TN. I have the electronic locker, but even with that the weight is far forward in a pickup. The light rear end makes 2WD pretty slippery really fast in lose conditions.

I would not even consider going off road without4WD.
Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

 

[Davexxxx]

I had an 80s vintage F150 without 4WD.

Reg. cab, Short bed, with limited slip. With good tennies and weight in the back, it did surprisingly well. Even with minor off road use and some mud.

But the wheel base was the trick. Same truck in a long bed, wouldn't perform near as well.

And even then, there is no comparison to 4WD.

If you don't leave evenly graded roads, or get into snow, you don't "need" 4wd.

If you do, ???

 

[Hank77]

I'm in Florida so no issues with snow. Budget IS..I'm a 100% disabled Navy vet, 69 years old and buying a new truck to drive off into the sunset lolol! I built and priced the identical XL short bed and the difference in MSRP is about 5 grand. I'm not sure that is worth it that's why I posted this thread. Sure I guess it's better to have it and not need it but in the last few years inflation has absolutely had a impact on my pension. I know I can make the payment either way but it would make some difference. To many folks here I know it doesn't. More than anything I wanted to ask the opinion of folks who actually own,drive and use what I'm getting.
Having good off road tires and the locker will probably suffice in my situation. No boat,dont tow and actually don't drive many miles period. I'm going to look at a front winch as a option but I have the feeling some recovery gear on the truck will probably do.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

IMO it's incredibly subjective to what you plan on using the truck for.

If you plan on towing a boat out of a deep ramp with the back tires in the water, 4WD is a very good idea. If you plan to go off-roading in actual sand, mud, rutted areas, or driving in a ton of snow often, then 4WD is a good idea. On the flip side - ook at stadium and championship trucks - they're 2WD, but they're properly equipped for what they do.

Here's the catch - proper tires are going to matter way more in all of those situations than just the 4WD. I've seen 4WD trucks get stuck in wet grass and light snow because they had "highway" tires on them and couldn't get traction. A 4WD truck with A/T or M/T tires will not save you at all in the winter with ice. You may be able to take off from a stop, but you won't be able to stop the truck.

I have driven FWD, RWD, AWD, and 4WD drive in many conditions. The thing that mattered the most in all of them was tire choice, not the drivetrain. Audi's delivered to the dealership during the winter with the "sport" tires on them could barely move across the parking lot without the traction control kicking in. In contrast, I had a 13 Limited with snow tires on it - the only time the AWD/4WD was useful was if it was icy and I was initially taking off, at which point it got switched back to 2WD. If it was bad enough outside I stayed home. The problem wasn't me getting around, it was worrying about people running into me. If I did need to go out, I would just take my AWD Flex instead.

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