4-Wheel Driver Worth It?

[Crash]

Is 4-wheel drive really worth the extra expense? I had one in Saudi Arabia and did a lot of desert driving with it, but got stuck despite it--as did several other folks I knew. Our saying was, "4-wheel drive just lets you get stuck in worse places." I think the most important thing is high ground clearance. My 2006 Ford Freestyle (a front-wheel drive crossover) just spent about a month on a ranch in south Texas because the dirt road into the ranch was a mud bog due to the frequent rains. We initially got it stuck because of the lack of good ground clearance, finally pulled it back onto hard ground on the ranch and left it there until the road finally dried up and got hard.

Also, when we pulled it out we had to put a chain around one of the rear suspension members because of the unit body construction (no separate frame) and no towing hooks. Couldn't put a chain on the bumper, either, 'cause it's plastic.

So now I'm looking at something with a separate body and frame, good ground clearance, but not necessarily 4-wheel drive.

Crash

[Boris859]

guess it depends on where you drive, live in Michigan and quite a way out in the boonies,I absolutely need a 4 wd to get to the main road because the plow won't show up for a couple days,I have went through snow up past the bumper with it,(full size GMC 1500),and there is no way my car would make it through,,if you had something ,say a fullsize truck with 2 wd,there isn't that difference in gas mileage between the 2 so I would defiantely opt for 4 wd,maybe a little AWD escape,or Jeep Liberty or something like that,because even with all the ground clearence you could want,traction is the key. :)

[Quietgentleman]

I drive a 2 wheel drive pick up with a limited slip rear end and have for 12 yrs. I live in Iowa and last winter we set snow records. I found in the 12 yrs I have only been stuck 3 times and only once did I have to dig it out. And that time was due to my laziness of not cleaning out the end of my driveway after the snow plow had plugged the end of my drive. I had to stop backing out when a car came down the road and wasn't able to use momentum to carry me threw the snow pile. So yes for me 4 wheel drive is a waste of money.

QGM

[rockymtngirl]

We have an old Suburban - not really used for everday driving necessarily, but it is worth the extra gas for those rare 1-2 foot snowstorms or when we want to get way back in the mountains where we couldn't possibly get with a car. Again- it's old and paid for, no computerized stuff so prety easy to work on as far as repairs, etc.

RMG

[MissouriFree]

Middle of Missouri you need *it. lot of snow at times , not much plowing , none in country, lot of hills. easy decision

[Tuckahoe]

We have a 95 Ford F150 4x4 as a hunting rig. It has 35 inch tall tires.
This is how we use it. We run in 2wd and only use the 4x4 to get us out of where the 2wd got us. I used to be one of the lock the hubs and go for as long as it will go off roaders. I sank Jeeps, Blazers, Scouts, Broncos, and pickups and have been recovered by tractors and back hoes more than several times. These days I like just riding back home :)

[Len_Torney]

A locker or a posi in the rear axle of a 4X4 helps alot, since even in 4WD you're still only technically in 2WD (1 front and 1 rear tire actually applying traction) You really can't use them in the front axle because of the steering. It's been done, but usually only on really hardcore rigs.

[FZRaven]

I use 4X4 almost every snow storm, I live about 3 miles out on a back road. I wouldn't even try getting out here with a 2 wheel drive in the middle of winter. The hill is really steep, often times the plough trucks have trouble getting up.

[fnfredux]

Is this a serious question? I guess you've never been to the REAL boonies where the clay/mud/ is so slick from what seeps up from the shale, it first creates the slickest surface short of black ice then fills your tire treads with same.
You've never been where the remedy for ice and snow covered roads is spring.
City slickers have 4X4's for what reason I don't know, they certainly shouldn't fork over the $$$, but anyone in the boonies wouldn't be without at least one 4X4, they wouldn't be able to leave home for half the year.

[Nickathome]

If you live in an area where the snows can be bad and the local municipal response slow or nonexistant, then a 4X4 is probably a good idea. If you live in an area like where I live (SE Pa) where the past few years have brought negligable snowfalls, then a 4X4 is probably a waste of money.

My last two vehicles were 4X4. I used the 4WD system in them on average about once a year. I'm not the offroad four wheelin type, so did not get the satisfaction of just going someplace to use the 4WD. I bought 4WD for use in snow when coming home from work, etc, but I just did not need it. Either we're in a weather cycle where its simply mild, or there is something to this global warming thing, I dont' know, we just dont' get the snow we used to. With the amount of usage I got from my 4WD, it just wasn't worth it to own. I now own a 2wd F150, and if we get heavy snow, I will stay home until the roads are plowed. If caught out in it, such as when trying to get home from work, I do carry strap chains, and a shovel, and I also carry bags of dirt in the bed to add weight for traction.

[kmccune]

Having learned to drive in open differential Ford pickups-I can say that a LSD is a good option to have in Lieu of the expense of a 4wd. However 4WD can be a lifesaver at times. But always keep a good set of tires on Vehicle and learn proper driving technique-Kevin

[MissouriFree]

You know...

I was one of the posters above that said " it was a must in Missouri where I am .. but thinking about it.....

well we always made it before all these fancy 4wd, LSD vehciles . First car I remember Dad having was a 1950 Chevy. and we nearly alwways made it to town on Saturdays. I Guess if it was really bad we just didn't go.. .. is that so bad to wait a day or two to get somewhere ?

.So when I say it is a must, I guess what I meant it is a must if I want things easy and have to go any time I want.

[remington]

In a word yes. I have a 2001 F-150 2by and it gets stuck incredibly easy. Going down dirt roads, mud. Not good traction on snow either. Will trade at earliest opportunity for a 4x4.

[remington]

Tuckahoe-I'm kinda in that phase right now. Mud attracts...