2WD vs. 4WD - I also live in the Pacific Northwest and I agree that with our unpredictable weather, 4WD is a necessity. Not only that, in this region, the ...

I also live in the Pacific Northwest and I agree that with our unpredictable weather, 4WD is a necessity. Not only that, in this region, the resale on a 2WD is abysmal. I probably could have gotten an LTZ Crew Cab 2WD of similiar vintage for what I paid for my LT Ext. Cab 4WD.

I don't do any off-roading, but some of the on-roading I do definitely requires 4WD when it snows or gets icy. That said, a 2WD can get stuck in wet grass, yet another reason I have 4WD.

I've only had my truck about a month and haven't had a need to pop it out of 2H yet, but I'm looking forward to trying out the 4WD in the winter.

I don't need a 4x4 I have gotten buy fine without using it. In the winter here in Mississippi. It may ice a little or snow just a few inches. But my dad has never owned a 4x4 and I have only had two others have been 2wd. Just less to tear up. And service

I own a 2 wheeler because of the economy. Less parts to brake, less parts to maintain. I think the ride is also a little better, and can get better mileage. The best reason of all is speed, less weight equals more speed. 4x4 on average adds 400 pounds. I live in minnesota were the snow gets deep, I've driven posi 2 wheelers with snow tires for years threw the snow just fine. I guess 4x4 is a luxury not a need, unless your off roading all the time.

I would love to own a 4x4, but at $4000 extra for something that would be just for fun only, I'll stick with 2wd and be fine. In the winter (michigan), I'll add about 400 lbs to the bed and that'll be enough for traction. I really only need 4x4 for off-roading or going to the beach down in Texas, which I've been fine in 2wd, just have to know how to drive in soft sand.

Nyron wrote: I live in West Virginia and if you want to get to work reliably in the winter you almost have to have a four wheel drive vehicle. A lot of people do well with front wheel drive vehicles too but the clearance can become a factor.

I've lived in West Virginia my entire life and have never, ever owned a 4 wheel drive vehicle and have never had an issue getting around. My 2WD 2005 F-150 never had an issue and I'm sure my new 2011 2WD Silverado won't either.

The Silverado is primarily for towing so 4WD isn't a priority. My Envoy is 4WD.

Never had anything but 4WD till I moved to Arizona (from Utah, and before that, Idaho)...never actually owned a full size rig til then, either. All my vehicles had been AWD or 4WD, but I couldn't see the extra expense once I moved to AZ. Lower gas mileage, increased vehicle sticker price, higher repair costs, tires cost more (usually). I really enjoyed having 4WD, and if I ever move back to Utah or Idaho I'll definitely move up to another 4WD, but here in AZ, probably half the rigs I see around (at least) are 2WD.

Unless you are off roading there's really no need for a 4X4 with the new locker and traction control combo in the new trucks. I had a 2004 Dodge Dakota 4X4 that isn't as good in snow as my 2011 2wd Sierra, and before you all ask I live in the north eastern part of Nova Scotia, Canada, I know about winter. The 2wd truck I have is better on fuel and cost a ton less than a 4x4. Not to say I wouldn't buy a 4x4 but I spent the extra cash on a speed boat instead.

In Mid Florida doesn't snow to much, Beaches especially Daytona has very hard sand and 2wd is fine. However if you go over to the Pan Handle, Destin, 4wd want help unless you put on baloon tires. I have the Z71 option and the locking rear end is great when pulling boat, esp tidal boat ramps. If I lived up North heaven forbid, and if it was snow country I would own a veh with 4wd.
But likely of that is happening is slim to none.

All I can say is that the z-71 option is what everyone wants in NW Florida. I had a 2000 2 wheel drive with the posi traction rear end and got bad stuck in sand at a river bank. That's why I have a loaded Sierra All Terrain Z-71 now-- just in case. My son has a Wrangler that we built and he's always telling me to get a Dodge with a solid front axle but I'm GMC blooded