Question Of The Week

The Four Wheel Drive Low Down: Part 1

This week’s Question of the Week was, “Have you ever needed four-wheel drive while truck camping?”  We had so many responses that we have split up the answers into two parts.  Look for part two next week.

four-wheel-drive-orian

“We have used our four-wheel drive lots of times, especially when we go up old logging roads to find isolated forestry sites, or explore the old mining and logging areas of British Columbia.  For example, the Highline Road northwest of Lillooet is a twenty-eight kilometer single lane heart stopper perched high above Carpenter Lake.” – Orian Hartviksen, 2011 Ford F350, four-wheel drive truck, 2010 Northern Lite 8’11”

“Of all places, in the camp area of the Abenteuer Allrad fair, which is more or less the European equivalent of the Overland Expo.  It had been raining a lot, and we needed to turn the truck around.  I backed the rear wheels onto a wet, muddy piece of grass, and that was that.  The front wheels were still on the pavement.  The ground was as even as can be, but the truck would not move.  There were plenty of four-wheel drive vehicles at the camp area to pull us out, but it was a bit embarrassing.” – Joerg Walzenbach, 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, two-wheel drive truck, 2011 Outfitter Apex 8 LB

“To me the value proposition of truck campers is that I also end up with a useful pickup truck rather than tying up capital in a dedicated RV.  I use four-wheel drive frequently in winter, with and without camper.  We also camp frequently in Forest Service sites (Poconos last weekend), which occasionally have muddy grades for which four-wheel drive is useful or even necessary.” – Mike, 2010 GMC 2500, four-wheel drive truck, Palomino Bronco

“I only really need it once a year on Slick Rock Road by Lake Alpine, California.  I do like it when I hit a chain check in the Sierras in the winter.  California requires chains with just a little snow on the road.” – Bill Harr, 2005 Toyota Tundra, four-wheel drive truck, 2013 FWC Hawk

“When I bought my truck I never asked if it was four-wheel drive.  When I got home, I was mildly annoyed that it was two-wheel drive.  In the past three years, I got it stuck in my own yard once because it was so muddy.  I never had any use for four-wheel drive when I went camping.  I tow a boat and have been in some remote areas, but never came close to getting stuck.” – Everett Baird, 2009 Ford 350, two-wheel drive truck, 2010 Lance 950

“I use my truck for farm use and pull a 26,000 pound thirty foot gooseneck with a Caterpillar D4 at times.  I use four-wheel drive in snow about three days per year.  I also use it on the farm for eight feet in a slick place three to four times per year and sometimes crossing terraces.

What I use mostly four-wheel drive for is its low range, pulling a load up a steep place that is dry and solid, where the high range just won’t do.  A low range two-wheel drive would work for fifty percent of my low range work.

The total distance in four-wheel drive per year, including snow, is probably seven miles.  But when I need it, nothing else will do.  Thanks Gordon.  I look forward to everything you send!” – Bill Strickland, 1996 Ford F250, four-wheel drive truck, 2005 Lance 845

“I have used it several times with my truck camper, when a site may be damp and slippery.  I have also have used it with my fifth wheel.  About a month ago, when we returned from Florida, I had to back across part of my lawn that was soft.  I started spinning, so I shifted to four wheel drive and got back in okay.  I had to remove mud off the truck.  Our property is clay so it’s easy to spin.  Four-wheel drive is almost a must.  I also need it sometimes in winter.” – Ron Day, 2008 Chevy 2500HD, four-wheel drive truck, 2005 Sunlite 865

four-wheel-drive-loucks-1

“In Southern Utah we were so very happy to have four wheel drive capability!  It’s nice to be able to explore all those back country roads.  We love boondocking!  We have also used it here at home in Montana.  We switched from a trailer to a truck camper so we could go to more places and the four-wheel drive capability is part of that.

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We get lower gas mileage when we spend time in four-wheel drive, but it is worth it!  On the highway at sixty miles per hour we get about eighteen miles per gallon, and when we are in four-wheel drive it drops to fourteen miles per gallon.  We are happy campers!” – Patrice and Ken Loucks, 2013 Toyota Tundra, four-wheel drive truck, 2014 Phoenix Custom Camper

“I live in Colorado and camp year round fishing, hunting, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, mountain biking and just exploring.  Four wheel drive is used frequently, as in almost every trip.  We have traveled from Deadhorse, Alaska to Key West, Florida and have used it most places in between.  I couldn’t and wouldn’t have a truck without four-wheel drive.” – Philip, 2012 Ford F350, four-wheel drive truck, 1994 Lance Squire Lite 150

“I used four-wheel drive on the Dempster Highway in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, in a snow, sleet, and rain storm.  I have also used it on the Flatops near Glenwood Springs, Colorado, in the Moab area of Utah, and in my driveway in a snowstorm in Colorado.  I was (and am) very glad to have it, and I would not consider buying a truck without it.” – P Maddux, 2008 GMC HD 2500, four-wheel drive truck, 2013 Hallmark Ute Everest

“This answer is yes, and no.  My camper stays permanently mounted to the truck for now.  Twice a year or more I drive up my parent’s mile long steep gravel driveway, so I always have it in four-wheel drive.  My older truck, a 2007 Ram 2500, also had four-wheel drive.

As far as I’m concerned, and this is my opinion only; a truck is worthless without four-wheel drive.  You skimp and fuss here and there between gas and diesel, and two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, and how huge you need your truck camper.  If you are paying upwards of of $30,000 for your truck camper, why are you skimping on what will help you economically handle that oversized truck camper?

Whether it’s for safety, or fun, or for that time when, “oh hell I could have really have used four-wheel drive” instead of calling the dang tow truck.  A truck with diesel and four-wheel drive is a must.  What you put on top is where you make your adjustments.  Just make sure your camper fits properly.” – Carol Baumler, 2012 Dodge Ram 3500, four-wheel drive truck, 2014 Capri Sportsman model

four-wheel-drive-alberto

“We do not have many campgrounds down here, so we always go off-road, and always accompanied by another truck.  As you can see in this picture, a little help comes in handy when your are thirty kilometers from the Pan-American Highway in Nazca, Peru.” – Alberto Sacio, 2012 Toyota Hilux, four-wheel drive truck, 2012 Four Wheel Camper Fleet

“If you are going off pavement and have a dually, then four-wheel drive needs to be in your arsenal of get me out of here’s.  I have that and a 12,000 pound Warn winch.  While I have never had to use the winch, I have used four-wheel drive on several occasions.  In fact just the other day my wife got the truck camper in some soft sand and gravel out at the barn and she had to put it in four-wheel drive to get out.

I have also had to use it in some campgrounds in recreational areas that were on unimproved surfaces.  I have also driven on unimproved roads that I use the four-wheel drive to insure that I don’t get stuck.  With a camper on the back, if you get stuck and are not in four-wheel drive, then your chances of getting out by just flipping the switch have diminished significantly.

Duallies can be at a disadvantage on occasion due to the size of the rear contact patch(s) and may result in the reduction of CoF and result in slippage.  As a avid off-road driver for over fifty years, I would always have the four-wheel drive option on any vehicle I may take off pavement, let alone off-road.” – Don Pryor, 2011 F 350, four-wheel drive truck, 2009 Arctic Fox 1150

“The worst required a four wheel drive farm tractor to pull me out of mud (it was crusted over with frozen dirt so it looked okay) when I was deer hunting.” – Philip Tron, 2009 Chevy 3500 crew dually, four-wheel drive truck, 2012 Lance 1050

“I was stuck next to a creek boondocking with a 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 and a Lance 1160.  It rained the night before, so I was unable to climb a muddy hill.  The cost for a tow truck was excessive.  So now I own a big truck with duallies and four-wheel drive.  I also have a 20,000 pound winch on the front.

To date, I have not needed either the four-wheel drive or the use of the winch.  And it hasn’t rained at our favorite boondocking site next to the creek or any place to include snow.  Our friend Murphy is at it again.” – Cliff Cizan, 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, four-wheel drive truck, 2013 Arctic Fox 1150

“We use the camper year-round.  In the summer, we usually explore British Columbia and Alberta.  We have used four-wheel drive a lot when exploring some of the backroads and old logging roads.  In the winter, we use the camper as a cheap hotel room when we are out snowmobiling.  We live in Saskatchewan so the four wheel drive gets a good workout.  I just wish the insulation factor was better in the camper for winter use.” – Brad Slatford, 1997 Ford F250, four-wheel drive truck, 1984 Edson 10.5

“For the places we camp at, four-wheel drive is almost always a necessity.  It’s a great way to avoid crowds.” – Robert H., 2008 Toyota Tacoma, four-wheel drive truck, 1985 Four Wheel Camper Fleet

“We normally go boondocking in Patagonia, Argentina, or Chile.  There are a lot of chances and, the need to use four-wheel drive.” – Anton, 2000 Ford F350, four-wheel drive truck, 2006 Outfitter Apex

“The only times I have needed to engage four-wheel drive while carrying the camper has been if I’m in a remote location where there’s steep and/or unstable access roads to where I’m going.  That’s mainly in the backcountry here in California.  Also, if I’m doing any kind of camping in winter, I’ll engage four-wheel drive high in snowy conditions.” – Keith Jose, 2010 Ford F-150, four-wheel drive truck, Four Wheel Camper Hawk

four-wheel-drive-barko

“I have used four-wheel drive on wet campsites, down a slope, and on messy roads where I could get in trouble without it.  I would like two-wheel drive, but will stay with the four wheel drive to allow me to go into more remote locations and, more importantly, get out of them.” – Bar Ko, 1999 Ford F250, four-wheel drive truck, Four Wheel Camper Grandby

“While I have encountered a few limited-traction adventures, I have never had to use four-wheel drive.  Thank goodness, as I don’t have it!  Traction aids and shovels have spared me on the few occasions where I’m sure four wheel drive would have made them non-occasions.  I’ve found that I don’t like the slow going typical of four wheel travel, even with light-weight Jeeps, etc.  With these factors in mind, I try to limit my off-road excursions to those astride one of my motorcycles.” – Mark Obert, 1999 Ford F250, two-wheel drive truck, 1999 Lance 920

“We have only had the truck camper since early 2014 and have used it once in Florida.  So far, there has been no need for four wheel drive with the truck camper installed.  But, with the truck itself, it was used quite a bit this year as Indiana as we had an unusually large amount of snow for quite a few months.  We have always owned at least one four-wheel drive vehicle.” – Mike and Dawn, 2014 Dodge Ram 2500, four-wheel drive truck, 2014 Palomino SS1251

four-wheel-drive-Hilux

“Our pick-up is normally rolling with two-wheel drive but, in complicated situations, we use and connect the four-wheel drive.” – Frederic Amorós, 2011 Toyota Hilux, four-wheel drive truck, 2011 PSI-AZALAÏ

“Last summer, while exploring an old movie set in the Grand Staircase in southern Utah, we ended up in a turn around that was deep sand.  Probably discretion would have kept us out of the area, but it looked solid until we were in it.  It was an old creek or river bed.  Without four-wheel drive we were going nowhere in this fairly remote area.  With four-wheel drive we were able to power a circle turn around and get out.  Without it we would have had to camp right there until help could be summoned to pull us to solid ground.  It might not have been so bad, but probably would have been expensive.” – Randall Rice, 2012 GMC Sierra 3500 HD, four-wheel drive truck, 2002 Bigfoot 2500 10.6

“I have never had four-wheel drive.  The reason I’m throwing in my two cents is that in the very long dithering period of several years prior to buying my first truck, I interviewed every truck owner I came across.  Luckily, truck owners seem to find this natural enough (unlike car owners who can look affronted if you question their choices).  Why a short bed?  Is it hard to find parking with a long bed in the city?  And have you ever used your four-wheel drive?

I live in Canada and, for part of the research period, I was in a quite northern city, so I expected more positive answers.  However, most truck owners said they seldom if ever used four-wheel drive.  They said good winter tires were a necessity, but not four-wheel drive.  Now young single males answered differently.  Apparently having fun in a truck for them requires four-wheel drive frequently.  I got a lot of answers of, ”I wouldn’t want to be without it”.  But when then I asked when they last used it, and there was no answer.

So in the end I did not get four-wheel drive.  I saved the money and the payload.  Of course when I got stuck three times this past terrible winter in the deep snow my would-be rescuers would ask me if I had four-wheel drive.  Each time I had to resort (despite other’s gallant attempts) to calling a tow company.  The tow driver would tell me, as they cinched me up, that four-wheel drive would not have helped me in that particular situation.  I finally figured out how and where to drive in a rear-wheel drive long bed truck and needed no further rescuing.  Of course all those problems occurred prior to picking up my truck camper.

It would seem in a majority of cases that it is not needed.  But if you are planning activities like driving to Alaska or the Labrador circle, which I am, you may regret not getting four-wheel drive.  It seems much like having an umbrella handy.  If you need it and don’t have it, you will have regret.  But it may sit there for a very long time untouched.” – Michele, 2013 F-150 HD, two-wheel drive truck, 2002 Northstar TC800

four-wheel-drive-steph

“I use four-wheel drive often on some forest service and BLM roads in the western states.  Some roads are well maintained and don’t need four-wheel drive, but those usually have more crowds and noise.  To get to remote camp spots, four-wheel drive is often needed.  Plus, it gets used when traversing mud and snow.  A two-wheel drive truck just wouldn’t work for me.” – Steph S., 1999 Ford Ranger, four-wheel drive truck, 2008 Four Wheel Camper Eagle

“Coming out of Echo Park in Dinosaur National Monument campground, I had to use four wheel drive.  It had rained hard the night before.  The last two miles are a steep grade and the road was muddy.  The four-wheel drive was indispensable.

I also have used it in Death Valley going into sandy and rocky areas to camp, on the Dalton Highway to Dead Horse on muddy roads, and on snowy areas in Canada and Alaska.  I use four wheel drive to get out of situations, not to see how far I can go off road.  My truck and camper are heavy at 12,000 pounds.  Caution must be used when in rough areas.” – Bob Whitney, 2002 Dodge 2500, four-wheel drive truck, 2010 Hallmark

four-wheel-drive-aboy

“I was out in Joshua Tree National Park in May and my wife and I decided to take one of the off-road scenic drives we read about in the park’s brochure.  About a mile or two down the path we noticed a sign that read, “Four-wheel drive vehicles only”.  I said to myself, “My Ram 2500 was meant for this!”  Funny thing is, after an hour of driving on the unpaved road filled with dirt and gravel, not once did I turn on my four-wheel drive feature.  I had forgotten about what that sign told me at the beginning of the trail.  This trail was for off-road vehicles and I made it through without turning it on.  I was carrying my 2008 Lance 815.

Do I regret purchasing the four wheel drive feature?  Not at all.  Even if I use it once in my life, I’m sure it would’ve been the one time I needed it.  When I purchased my truck I wanted one that had the payload to carry my Lance.  So far, with just the stock suspension, the Ram has been capable of carrying the Lance.  However, I’m looking into a sway bar to help with stability and possibly purchasing some airbags.” – Kevin Aboy, 2014 Dodge Ram 2500, four-wheel drive truck, 2008 Lance 815

“I did need it once this year when the truck was stuck.  So, a flip of the switch and I backed up with no problem.  I camp in the woods a lot and I put it in four wheel drive to keep it from spinning.  That way I do not to mess up the grass or dig ruts.  After having a four-wheel drive, I really don’t want to go back to a two-wheel drive truck.” – Jeff Hagberg, 2002 Ford F250, four-wheel drive truck, 2006 Travel Lite 800 SBX

“I use four wheel drive to get into steep approach parking spots in rain and to get out of a pasture on a slick two track road when hunting.  Low range is especially helpful to slow it down when using leveling blocks on uneven ground.  I would not be without four-wheel drive.” – William Moscript, 2008 Ford F250, four-wheel drive truck, 2002 Northstar 850SC

four-wheel-drive-early

“I like to steelhead fish on a section of the Grande Rhonde River that has a grade called the Shoemaker Road.  It is a gravel road that, when viewed from the top, looks like a can full of worms or, from the bottom, like malaria germ.  I put the truck in four wheel drive to descend the grade in bad weather.” – David Early, 2007 GMC Sierra 3500, four-wheel drive truck, 2012 Eagle Cap 1165

“We backcountry ski out of the camper in the winter and dry camp in the summer.  I have studded snow tires and chains.  Not having four-wheel drive is not an option.  Our question is how does a four-wheel drive dually 350/450 (our next truck) behave in the snow?” – JT More and Sue Jurf, 2004 F250, four-wheel drive truck, 2005 S&S Ponderosa 8.5

“We had pulled into an unnamed campground four years ago after a couple of rainy days and were told to pull into a certain spot.  We got less than five feet off the road when the bottom dropped, and the front end sunk.  We were driving a rear-wheel drive Duramax at the time, and could not get traction to back out.

We got towed by the campground owner and moved to a nice gravel spot for the rest of the stay.  There were a half dozen other times that four-wheel drive would have been handy, like with boat ramps, so that is the reason for buying one.” – John Desjardins, 2007 GMC Sierra HD, four-wheel drive truck, 2002 Globetrotter

“I have spent a good deal of time exploring Nevada, usually alone or with just one other person.  His truck is too small to be of much help should I get stuck.  Therefore, in cases of sand, mud, water crossing, and rocks, I usually put the truck in four-wheel drive.  In reality, the Dodge has so much low end power that I don’t really need to.

Recently I took a road in the mountains of Nevada that was so steep that I used four wheel drive to help braking coming down.  It’s great back up, and I’m glad I have it.” – Daniel Dinsmoor, 2006 Dodge 3500, four-wheel drive truck, 2004 Litecraft

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“Yes, I have used four wheel drive on the Mojave Road Trail, the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park, the South Draw Road (which is a four-wheel rated trail) outside of Capitol Reef National Park, the Bradshaw trail in southern California, and in Death Valley National Park in California.

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We didn’t always have a four-wheel drive truck.  This changed after almost becoming stuck in soft sand while trying to reach the Inyo Mine through Echo Canyon in Death Valley National Park.  We’ve use our four-wheel drive many times including a return trip the the Inyo Mine.” – Alex Blasingame, 2007 Ford F250, four-wheel drive truck, 2002 Lance 815

“I normally need it to drive up my driveway if there is any snow or heavy rain.  It’s a steep driveway.” – George Armenteros, 2011 Dodge Ram 3500, four-wheel drive truck, 2002 Lance 920

four-wheel-drive-frank

“Yes, one occasion.  I was turning around in Arizona on forest service land and the road was getting narrow.  So, I figured I better change directions.  I found a wide spot to do a U-turn.  It was sandy, but looked firm.  I got three-quarters of the way around and started to sink in the sand.  The truck wouldn’t move, so I pulled all the dry sand from in front of the wheels to get down to moist sand.  I put it in four-wheel drive, which gave me a slow speed, and I was able to get out.  That one time saved me up to a thousand dollars getting a big tow truck to get me out.

The second time was driving through Utah trying to beat a storm that was coming.  I didn’t realize that we had a small pass ahead of us, at just 7,000 feet high.  It started snowing and got worse.  We were following a semi.  When he started passing another truck we decided not to pass.  We were behind the slow one when he decided to pull off.  As we continued, we started to fish tail some in the two to four inches of snow on the ground.  So I just hit the four-wheel drive switch and it saved the day again.  With dual wheels it’s a must if you are in any snow or sand.  Living in Colorado, it’s a must.” – Frank Niehus, 2007 Ford F350, four-wheel drive truck, Arctic Fox 1150

“We currently have a four wheel drive truck.  However, we do not often take our truck camper off-road.  We do however like having the four-wheel drive option in the case of inclement winter weather.  While we don’t often use the four-wheel drive, we like having that option should we need it.  Our next truck will likely also be a four-wheel drive.” – Terry Teeft, 2003 GMC Sierra 2500, four-wheel drive truck, 2013 Wolf Creek 850

“Every time I drive on a gravel road, which are usually logging roads, of which there are a lot of in British Columbia, I use four-wheel drive.  It smooths out the ride and makes the washboard much more manageable.  I also use four wheel drive low when backing up to the camper to get it on.  It’s a nice and slow approach.  While I use four wheel drive often with the camper on, I have never needed it.  If I start winter camping though, I’ll need it.” – Mike M, 2006 Ford F150, four-wheel drive truck, 1993 Jayco Sporster 8 pop-top

“Yes, I have used four wheel drive multiple times.  We use our rig to tow
a trailer with our ATVs to lots of local roads where four wheel drive is required.  We also tow our pontoon boat with the rig and use four-wheel drive at boat ramps.  We also camp in the winter hunting and ATVing.  I could not imagine not having four wheel drive!” – Eric and Linda Anderson, 2001 Dodge 3500, four-wheel drive truck, 2013 Arctic Fox 990 Milestone

four-wheel-drive-sellers

“I use four-wheel drive on many forest service dirt roads and always on the boat ramp to be safe and not spin the tires.” – Greg Sellers, 2002 Ford F250, four-wheel drive truck, 1977 Sunlite pop-up

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“I had to go through a low area that was deep soft mud after two days of rain.  The mud was over the top of my rims, so I doubt I could have made it without four-wheel drive.  I have used low range in the transfer case on numerous times to get into camping spots.  It takes the strain off the the transmission, especially in reverse.” – Bud Waner, 2006 GMC 2500HD, four-wheel drive truck, 2006 Travel Lite 1100

“Yes, I’ve used it two or three times for safety sake getting out of snow onto cleared roads.  Other then that, no.  And I wouldn’t get a four wheel drive again.” – Marc Swanson, 2004 Dodge Ram 2500, Four wheel drive truck, 2011 Northstar Igloo-U

four-wheel-drive-wells

“We’ve used four wheel drive several times when truck camping, and I would not be without it.  We camp regularly off pavement at Fort Shenandoah near Winchester, Virginia for the N-SSA Nationals.  It often rains there during the event and what started out as firm hard grass can turn into a deceptive green carpet with disguising brown yogurt just beneath.  Having an 8,000 pound trailer attached to the truck camper rig adds to the fun.

Also, four wheel drive was turned on rather quickly when a sudden snowstorm in Ohio added a sense of adventure to our drive to the Texas Truck Camper Rally this year.  When autos are sliding off the interstate in all directions, having the four-wheel drive engaged really reduces the, ahem, pucker factor a bit, but not all the way.  It took a week for that new ridge in the middle of the driver’s seat to go away.” – John and Marylou Wells, 2011 Chevy 3500, four-wheel drive truck, 2012 Chalet Ascent S100F

“We have had several occasions where we needed our four-wheel drive.  The two that first come to mind are coming out of Chicken, Alaska headed up the hill for the Top of the World Highway and on to Dawson City in early June.  The dirt road just after the rain was, as the locals called it, slick as snot.  In four-wheel drive, we still swerved back and forth across the road as we climbed past where a tour bus had gone off the shoulder the day before.

The second time was when we were driving north on the Dempster Highway in early June, both driving off the ferry across the Arctic Red River into the lose gravel (vehicles are routinely pulled from this with the front loader used to spread the gravel) and through Hurricane Alley the day after it snowed.  The road was slushy, muddy, and slick.  We would have not made it to Inuvik that day without four-wheel drive. ” – George Dunstan, 2010 Ford F450, four-wheel drive truck, 2009 Lance 1055

four-wheel-drive-munsell

“I would never consider a two-wheel drive truck.  I use four-wheel drive in low range for slow speed maneuvering, backing down slick boat ramps to launch our boat, and winter driving, just for starters.” – Barry Munsell, 2003 Chevy 2500 HD, four-wheel drive truck, 1996 Northern Lite 9.6

“Have I ever needed four-wheel drive while truck camping?  Yes, every time.  You see, I go camping to get as far away from people as I can.  No Samborees or Walmart parking lots for me.” – Greg Giese, 2010 Chevy Silverado, four-wheel drive truck, 1990 Sunlite Eagle

“It may not be a matter of if you need four wheel drive while camping, but do you need a four wheel truck when the camper is not on the truck?  To me, this is the biggest reason for having a truck camper; not having a dedicated vehicle just for recreational use.” – P Cheeley, 2000 Chevy 2500, four-wheel drive truck, no camper yet

four-wheel-drive-gaskins

“My wife and I took our first long trip in our Dodge and Lance truck camper in October of 2013.  We went to Moab, Utah and had a great time.  We also towed our four-wheel drive Jeep Rubicon for some off-road excursions.  We had great weather and did not need the truck’s four-wheel drive.

They say it is not good to use your four-wheel drive on dry pavement anyhow, so we only use it in rainy, muddy, or snowy conditions.  After a nice two week stay, we returned to Kansas via I-70.  We came over using the southern route.  Heading back over the highest part of the range, just west of the Eisenhower Tunnel, we encountered some really nasty snow and sleet going up the worst grades and passing eighteen wheelers along the way.  Not fun!

As things got dicey near the top and the weather got worse, I popped the truck into four-wheel drive.  This made for a much more stable and easier drive, especially in the passing lane towing another vehicle.  At that point, I was darn glad I had four-wheel drive.  Did we have to have it on?  Maybe not.  I guess it was the piece of mind I have always had with all my four-wheel drive vehicles, which is to be able to have it when I need it.  So, yes, I will always have four-wheel drive trucks.” – Dave Gaskins, 2013 Dodge Ram 3500, four-wheel drive truck, 1992 Lance

“A number of times I’ve gotten myself into sandy or muddy situations while boondocking.  Four wheel drive saved the day!  I park my truck camper in my yard down a mild slope.  When the grass is wet, four-wheel drive saves my lawn.  With my previous camper, I frequented the beaches on Cape Cod.  You must have four-wheel drive in this situation.” – Roy Bertalotto, 2006 Dodge 2500, four-wheel drive truck, 1998 Palomino Bronco 1200

four-wheel-drive-moore-1

“I hunt deer and elk every Fall.  We have even had the need for chains on occasion to get traction to leave our hunting area.  We are also in the snow more often than not while pulling horse trailers in the mountains of Idaho.

I also launch my jet boat from some steep boat ramps our in area with the camper on.  I simply could not do that without four wheel drive.  The bottom line is that, for Idaho, there is not substitute for four-wheel drive.” – Virgil Moore, 2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD, four-wheel drive truck, 2007 Arctic Fox 880

four-wheel-drive-moore-2

Here is Part 2 of the Four Wheel Drive Low Down.

Truck Camper Chooser
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