So I'm toying with the idea of a new truck. I've got pretty much all of it figured out except 2WD vs 4WD. My current truck is 4wd. Granted, I lived in Iowa for a few years and it came in really handy.

Now I live in the Austin area and will never move out of TX again. I tend to drive my vehicles into the ground, so I want them to be capable of anything I might throw at them. It'll be my daily driver and road trip vehicle.

I know I'd use 2wd 99% of the time. Do I suck it up, spend the extra money, and get the 4wd or no? What say you, auto board?

do you ever go off road, camping, on the beach, etc? if not, save your money.

Off Road - no
Camping - rarely
Beach - rarely

This would be more for possible boat ramps in the future, traveling somewhere and running into snow, etc. More of an insurance policy than anything.

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Off Road - no
Camping - rarely
Beach - rarely

This would be more for possible boat ramps in the future, traveling somewhere and running into snow, etc. More of an insurance policy than anything.

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I would get 4WD, if it were me. I like having the option, regardless of how often it might be used.

I use mine less than 5x a year, but when I need it, it's there.

i would get the 4x4. Always nice to have something to bail you out.

I used mine once on a muddy road that has some loose sand. Probably didn't need it but thought might as well. Other time I used it was when we got some snow in College Station. whole city shut down except for my work. It came in real handy there.

Now I have it for when things go to hell (zombies and whatnot) and I need to GTFO of Houston. Or there is a big accident and i want to make my own off ramp through the grass.

still, to me if 99% of the time you would probably never need it - it's not worth the decreased mileage and additional maintenance items.

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Off Road - yep
Camping - yes
Beach - frequently

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That is why I got a Heep Braaaaah

If you can swing it, get 4x4. It may be rarely used, but I just love knowing I've got it. For us we are big fans of road trips and enjoy the outdoors so either when we go somewhere in the snow or a little off road at a reserve, etc. Heck I'm even thinking of getting a wench because...well I want one.

I just got a new truck. Thought about the same thing. Decided on 2wd. Just wasn't worth the money for something I will use a few times.

I've never had any trouble on the boat ramp and did fine in the last few ice storms.

Still kind of wish I had it even though it's not necessary.

E-Lock rear diff helps on boat ramps....

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When you get a 4x4 stuck, you're really stuck.

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Isn't that the truth! But seriously, I don't NEED a 4x4, but i like driving one for now. Might change my mind when I get a Jeep as a second vehicle. Or I'll just keep the truck running since it'll be payed off and still running at that time.

After the ice storms in DFW the past few years I decided on a 4wd this time. My job requires me to make it in no matter the weather. It's worth it to me to have the assurance. Now I have a 4wd it probably won't ice once this year lol. Either way, I like the looks of a 4wd better in the F-150, it sits a little higher and just looks better in my opinion.

For 50 yrs most ranchers and farmers got by without 4 wheel drive. It's not a necessity for most applications.

That being said, I sure am glad I have it and I probably won't purchase another truck without it.
Simply put, I have a lot of things i don't need. I just like having it.

For 4000 years most farmers and ranchers got by without a car

Helps resell value greatly down the line

Every truck I have owned has had 4X4 and it has come in handy when you need it but it does cost more. I think I used to get 4X4 because of the looks. If the 2wd looks good I would have to think about 2wd. You could get a tow strap and pull tourist out of the sand on weekends to help defer the cost of the 4X4.

You will see lots of the 4x4 price back at resale but if you keep for ever then the time value of money blah blah blah. But only takes 2-3 times of having to pay a wrecker to Un stick you to pay for the 4by

I tend to buy it just because I like the stance of most vehicles with 4 wheel drive - sit a bit higher and more flat. Generally. But I honestly only use it for fun, it is not a need.

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Helps resell value greatly down the line

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Additional initial purchase price and general maintenance will always be higher than the difference in value between 4wd and 2wd when you go to sell.

Get it because you want/need it. Not because you'll get more money for it when you sell it.

And it's much cheaper to make a 2wd look like a 4x4 rather than buying solely for looks lol

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And it's much cheaper to make a 2wd look like a 4x4 rather than buying solely for looks lol

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Mall crawlers

My wife's family owns a farm of a few thousand acres in Iowa, and my BIL's primary transportation around it is a 2WD Tacoma. If he can survive without 4WD, I'm sure you can take on California, TX without it.

Been on many steep boat ramps (both fresh and salt) covered in slime and algae with a 2WD half-ton pulling a >4000 pound boat with a shortened trailer tongue (truck rear end was always in the water) and only had slippage once when my rear tires were nearing the end of their lives. Technique over 4WD wins the vast majority of the time. That said, if you want 4WD, get the 4WD.

seems about like taking an umbrella with you everywhere you go, when you live in san diego.

I live in Austin. My 4WD has come in handy during random Ice Storms (like the 3 we had last winter that shut down the city). It also came in handy when traveling (Colorado and West Texas in Winter)

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Additional initial purchase price and general maintenance will always be higher than the difference in value between 4wd and 2wd when you go to sell.

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Don't forget the marginal difference in gas mileage between 2wd and 4wd. It'll add up over the lifetime of the vehicle.

I think it's a waste for the majority of owners. I think they look cool and always wished my dad would buy one when I was growing up. He never did and it never stood in the way of him pulling a boat, cattle trailers and equipment. I always said that when I grew up i would only buy 4x4 trucks but when it actually came time to purchase I never bought one, I felt like it was more of an appearance package to look cool and not something that was really a necessity.

Have there been a few times that a 4x4 would have come in handy but not having one was never really a big in convince or life changer.

If you want it and don't mind the extra cash for something you are mostly going to just lug around everywhere you go on the off chance it comes in handy once a year then go for it but I doubt you need it.

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I tend to drive my vehicles into the ground

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This is why resale value doesnt matter in this case.

A good set of all terrain tires on a 2wd will work in most situations unless you are just out trying to get stuck.

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A good set of all terrain tires on a 2wd will work in most situations unless you are just out trying to get stuck.

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Isn't that the whole point of having a 4x4?

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A good set of all terrain tires on a
2wd will work in most situations unless you are just out trying to get
stuck.

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4wd just lets you get stuck 100 yards past the two wheel drive trucks. Oh, and I have 4wd.