DarinRay
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2000
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- 557
- Location
- West Valley, New York
- Tractor
- 2004 JD 4310 300CX 72MM, dozers, excavtors, bachoes, loader, tractors.
/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif with dozernut
Gotta have a four wheel drive...NOT!!!
- Thread starter abheye
- Start date
- Views: 3992
I've owned two 4wds and two 2wds. I owned the 4wds first, and my last two trucks were 2wd. Basically, it is take it or leave for me. Yeah, I would like that extra traction in the snow, but I haven't driven off-road in many years, so I can't justify the expense to myself. I found that a good set of tires and 2wd will get you through the snow quite well, actually I still managed to get to work in the snow with 60 series sport tires that had 70,000 miles on them. I just drove slower!! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
Now my tractor is 4wd, but I plan to push snow, tree stumps , and anything else I that gets in my way. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Now my tractor is 4wd, but I plan to push snow, tree stumps , and anything else I that gets in my way. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
I live in Southern Indiana and it is very hilly where I live. I do a lot of work along fence rows and so forth on our property. I even use my 4x4 on hot sunny days in August going up hills in the grass, much less when it is wet or 'soft' at other times of the year.
I could take the tractor but it is much easier to load up the truck bed with gas can, oil, tool box, chain saw, etc. and drive my 4x4 to where I want to go.
2x4 or 4x4 I wouldn't go out there in the snow, I'll wait until better weather! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
I also live at the top of a VERY steep hill on a road that is maintained by our neighborhood association ..... it is not a county road. 1/4" of snow and NOBODY with a 2 wheel drive gets home, only the 4x4s, everyone else walks about a mile. Yeah, it only happens 5 or 6 times every winter and lasts for 2 to 5 days -- tree lined road and, again, no city, county, or state highway support. You sure don't want to come home from work with the wife in the car/truck (my wife and I work at the same place and usually ride together) after having stopped at the grocery store on the way home and say, "Well, honey, you get 1/2 the groceries and we'll start the walk up the icy hill ... sorry about those shoes you're wearing!"
We have several convenience items in our house: dishwasher, washer/dryer, AND a 4x4 truck.
I could take the tractor but it is much easier to load up the truck bed with gas can, oil, tool box, chain saw, etc. and drive my 4x4 to where I want to go.
2x4 or 4x4 I wouldn't go out there in the snow, I'll wait until better weather! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
I also live at the top of a VERY steep hill on a road that is maintained by our neighborhood association ..... it is not a county road. 1/4" of snow and NOBODY with a 2 wheel drive gets home, only the 4x4s, everyone else walks about a mile. Yeah, it only happens 5 or 6 times every winter and lasts for 2 to 5 days -- tree lined road and, again, no city, county, or state highway support. You sure don't want to come home from work with the wife in the car/truck (my wife and I work at the same place and usually ride together) after having stopped at the grocery store on the way home and say, "Well, honey, you get 1/2 the groceries and we'll start the walk up the icy hill ... sorry about those shoes you're wearing!"
We have several convenience items in our house: dishwasher, washer/dryer, AND a 4x4 truck.
RobertN
Super Member
I have a 4wd turbo diesel. Before it was a two different gas 3/4ton 4wd's.
I found, that having property, I am always finding spots where, even with a limited slip, I lose traction. When out getting firewood, I find that usually I can get where I want in 2wd, but often use 4wd anyways. Yesterday, when pulling a concrete buggy, I had to pull out of the gravel drive of the concrete place into traffic. I had little traction on the gravel, so I threw it into 4wd for a moment. It was safer.
Often I use 4wd just so I do not spin. Having used 2wd trucks a lot, I could go lots of places, but tended to spin some wheels here and there too. I have put 2wd's into places other 4wd's were suprised at.
But, in 4wd, my tires do not spin on a clients grass when I try to get close to the drop point for gravel or sand. When it is wet out, I don't slip, even though I did not really need 4wd; it was more of a control thing.
I use 4wd at least once a week. Anyways, you're suppossed to engage it at least once a month to keep the fron end lubed/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
I found, that having property, I am always finding spots where, even with a limited slip, I lose traction. When out getting firewood, I find that usually I can get where I want in 2wd, but often use 4wd anyways. Yesterday, when pulling a concrete buggy, I had to pull out of the gravel drive of the concrete place into traffic. I had little traction on the gravel, so I threw it into 4wd for a moment. It was safer.
Often I use 4wd just so I do not spin. Having used 2wd trucks a lot, I could go lots of places, but tended to spin some wheels here and there too. I have put 2wd's into places other 4wd's were suprised at.
But, in 4wd, my tires do not spin on a clients grass when I try to get close to the drop point for gravel or sand. When it is wet out, I don't slip, even though I did not really need 4wd; it was more of a control thing.
I use 4wd at least once a week. Anyways, you're suppossed to engage it at least once a month to keep the fron end lubed/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 58,153
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Back in the early 80's my wife and I were vacationing in Brown County(near you). We wanted to head south from Nashville. We ended up on some detours and the road was closed in, you got it, Gnawbone, IN. We stopped at the little store and asked the lady which was the best way to get to our destination. She said to follow the runaround (detour) to the second fence, turn left, ford the creek and follow the lane to the next road. I was driving my father's Nova and elected to go back the way we came /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
DK35vince
Super Member
If you don't need 4x4,fine don't buy it !!
I personally use mine often and would not buy a pickup without 4x4 .
I personally use mine often and would not buy a pickup without 4x4 .
Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
We have lived around here since '79 and we love it here but your description of your trip here is pretty much normal for here ... STILL (one of the things I love about it here, time has sorta stood still!).
We were originally from Bremen. I noticed from your post that you are from Far North Central Indiana so I am sure you are familiar with Bremen. My brother still lives in South Bend and we visit up there a couple of times a year!
Kent
We were originally from Bremen. I noticed from your post that you are from Far North Central Indiana so I am sure you are familiar with Bremen. My brother still lives in South Bend and we visit up there a couple of times a year!
Kent
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 58,153
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Very familiar with Bremen. I've lived in and near South Bend all of my life. Small world, eh?
We use to have a great use for 4WD around here as it would snow very heavily. We have had only one hard winter since the blizzard of '77 (76?). It just doesn't snow much any more.
As I posted in the other "no need for 4X4" post, no one NEEDS four wheel drive. The only thing we NEED is food, water and shelter. We don't NEED tractors either, but we sure do choose to buy them /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
We use to have a great use for 4WD around here as it would snow very heavily. We have had only one hard winter since the blizzard of '77 (76?). It just doesn't snow much any more.
As I posted in the other "no need for 4X4" post, no one NEEDS four wheel drive. The only thing we NEED is food, water and shelter. We don't NEED tractors either, but we sure do choose to buy them /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
hazmat
Elite Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2002
- Messages
- 4,051
- Location
- West Newbury, MA & Harrison, ME
- Tractor
- Kubota L5460HSTC
I just wish that the truck makers would wake up and offer traction control for 2wd pickups!
I've driven front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, awd (subaru) & 4wd (hi/low range). Traction control front & rear. Snow tires and all seasons. Pretty much every combination except 4wd with traction control.
Observation #1. If you live in snow country, get yourself some dedicated snow tires. 4wd doesn't help you STOP.
Obervation #2. A 2wd (front or rear) car/truck with traction control & snow tires is sufficient for all ON ROAD (as in paved) conditions, save blizzard accumulations of snow.
Observation #3. If you live on a ranch / farm / drive OFF ROAD (as in not paved). Duh, REAL 4WD makes your life easier.
Observation #4. A 2wd pickup with an empty bed and "all season" tires is a handfull in the snow. Too much brainpower wasted on feathering the gas pedal etc. to prevent wheelspin. Not enough brainpower spent watching where you are going.
Observation #5. Traction control would cost 1/10 what 4wd costs & would get better gas milage to boot (4wd adds hundreds of pounds to the curb weight)
So what do I drive now? 4wd truck because traction control isn't offered & I like to ski!
Well anyway, I'm not holding my breath, beacause if the 4wd is 10X more expensive than traction control, then that means that Ford is making 10X more profit on that option! Although, they do seem to make more of an effort to keep the enviromentalists happy lately, 4wd performance with 2wd gas milage hmmmm.
I've driven front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, awd (subaru) & 4wd (hi/low range). Traction control front & rear. Snow tires and all seasons. Pretty much every combination except 4wd with traction control.
Observation #1. If you live in snow country, get yourself some dedicated snow tires. 4wd doesn't help you STOP.
Obervation #2. A 2wd (front or rear) car/truck with traction control & snow tires is sufficient for all ON ROAD (as in paved) conditions, save blizzard accumulations of snow.
Observation #3. If you live on a ranch / farm / drive OFF ROAD (as in not paved). Duh, REAL 4WD makes your life easier.
Observation #4. A 2wd pickup with an empty bed and "all season" tires is a handfull in the snow. Too much brainpower wasted on feathering the gas pedal etc. to prevent wheelspin. Not enough brainpower spent watching where you are going.
Observation #5. Traction control would cost 1/10 what 4wd costs & would get better gas milage to boot (4wd adds hundreds of pounds to the curb weight)
So what do I drive now? 4wd truck because traction control isn't offered & I like to ski!
Well anyway, I'm not holding my breath, beacause if the 4wd is 10X more expensive than traction control, then that means that Ford is making 10X more profit on that option! Although, they do seem to make more of an effort to keep the enviromentalists happy lately, 4wd performance with 2wd gas milage hmmmm.
Wingnut
Veteran Member
Ranchman,
<font color=blue>I'm not saying everybody "needs" 4wd nor that you can't do "a lot" with a 2wd. All I'm saying is that before someone says that they are essentially "worthless dollars" spent on a vehicle, the should look at how other people use them and not stereotype everyone as idiots who don't know the value of a dollar or irresponsible people who try and get themselves in to trouble. I think it's an insult at best, intellectually dishonest at worst. </font color=blue>
I'm sorry that you took my post personally. I would've hoped you'd realize I was speaking for myself and my experiences - not casting aspersions upon those that actually use 4wd vehicles. Note the operative word USE.
Would you say that the vast majority of 4wd vehicles, and especially SUVs, are in use on farms/ranches like yours? Or in the cities/towns by soccer moms, prestige seekers and the like? I think the statistics would show farmers are in the minority ... a very small minority.
You cited excellant reasons for having 4wd .... and I had thought I'd cited completely different reasons based on other posts ... snow, wet roads, frivolous off-roading.
If you want to find a reason to feel put upon, be my guest ... but I'm surprised you took offence - especially since you would seem to be a poster guy for real 4wd users.
When I think of reasons why 4wd is a waste of money, farming use doesn't happen to hit my list and I wouldn't even think of folks like you or CowboyDoc or others that are using your vehicles off-road working on the land.
Personally I couldn't care less if every "other" vehicle on the road were a 4wd ... I only worry about myself. I (and in me, myself) have no use for fancy graphics on my behicle, for 4 4wd, or 6wd or rear wheel steering, or automatic transmissions. In my view - for ME - they contribute nothing whatsoever to fuel economy (and thence my wallets contents) or to riding comfort or reliability. In fact - for ME - the mechanical stuff that I mentioned cost more, takes more maintenance and takes away some of the fun.
The fact that I think most people that have 4wd vehicles don't need them doesn't mean I believe there is no place for them ... heck, I also believe that the vast majority of people who have trucks don't need them and have driven up the cost (dramatically) for those of us who do need them. They used to be the cheapest vehicles to buy before they became "popular".
When I drive in your part of the country, I see the largest percentage of SUV's and 4x4's vs. cars than I do anywhere else ... and most of them look as if they'd never been off a paved road, much less more than 5 miles aay from a car wash. Those are the ones that I think are a waste of money.
My goodness, we sure have a fun time on Off-Topic, don't we ... spend more time saying "you misunderstood me" than we do trying to make a point. I guess I'll preface all my postings with "warning - I am NOT trying to hurt your feelings" from now on.
pete
<font color=blue>I'm not saying everybody "needs" 4wd nor that you can't do "a lot" with a 2wd. All I'm saying is that before someone says that they are essentially "worthless dollars" spent on a vehicle, the should look at how other people use them and not stereotype everyone as idiots who don't know the value of a dollar or irresponsible people who try and get themselves in to trouble. I think it's an insult at best, intellectually dishonest at worst. </font color=blue>
I'm sorry that you took my post personally. I would've hoped you'd realize I was speaking for myself and my experiences - not casting aspersions upon those that actually use 4wd vehicles. Note the operative word USE.
Would you say that the vast majority of 4wd vehicles, and especially SUVs, are in use on farms/ranches like yours? Or in the cities/towns by soccer moms, prestige seekers and the like? I think the statistics would show farmers are in the minority ... a very small minority.
You cited excellant reasons for having 4wd .... and I had thought I'd cited completely different reasons based on other posts ... snow, wet roads, frivolous off-roading.
If you want to find a reason to feel put upon, be my guest ... but I'm surprised you took offence - especially since you would seem to be a poster guy for real 4wd users.
When I think of reasons why 4wd is a waste of money, farming use doesn't happen to hit my list and I wouldn't even think of folks like you or CowboyDoc or others that are using your vehicles off-road working on the land.
Personally I couldn't care less if every "other" vehicle on the road were a 4wd ... I only worry about myself. I (and in me, myself) have no use for fancy graphics on my behicle, for 4 4wd, or 6wd or rear wheel steering, or automatic transmissions. In my view - for ME - they contribute nothing whatsoever to fuel economy (and thence my wallets contents) or to riding comfort or reliability. In fact - for ME - the mechanical stuff that I mentioned cost more, takes more maintenance and takes away some of the fun.
The fact that I think most people that have 4wd vehicles don't need them doesn't mean I believe there is no place for them ... heck, I also believe that the vast majority of people who have trucks don't need them and have driven up the cost (dramatically) for those of us who do need them. They used to be the cheapest vehicles to buy before they became "popular".
When I drive in your part of the country, I see the largest percentage of SUV's and 4x4's vs. cars than I do anywhere else ... and most of them look as if they'd never been off a paved road, much less more than 5 miles aay from a car wash. Those are the ones that I think are a waste of money.
My goodness, we sure have a fun time on Off-Topic, don't we ... spend more time saying "you misunderstood me" than we do trying to make a point. I guess I'll preface all my postings with "warning - I am NOT trying to hurt your feelings" from now on.
pete