Ok, so here is the question that keeps popping up in my head. Some say that if you have a truck that is primarily used for towing that a 2wd is better because ALLL the power is in the rear wheels, instead of running the gears in the transfer case and front diff and such. If this is true would it be much of a difference, or just minuscule? Also, the truck "pushing" that extra weight up front is said to be a disadvantage. To me it seems the 4wd would be better to have even if the either of the above is true, cuz if you have a heavy trailer, even the slightest mud, snow, ice, sand, etc could keep you from moving...I've had that issue a couple of times.

 

yup 2wd has a higher tow ratting vers a 4wd truck in the same 1500 2500 3500 models.

Where it gets tricky is the extra cost to maintain a 4x4, vers a 2wd where your limited to dry pavement.

Having owned manny 4x4 trucks, I admit I only use 4wd as a last resort, but having the option of extra traction is priceless.

90% of 4x4 are really 3x4 ( unless you have a locking front diff ) and I doubt towing a 15,000 plus 5th wheel in the dead of winter threw a mountain pass is all that apealing, even with a 4x4.

 

Snow, ice, sand, mud all scream 4wd to me.

 

A 4x2 has a higher tow rating than a 4x4 simply because the weight of the vehicle counts against GVWR and in any given truck, the 4x4 version weighs more.

If you are simply pulling on pavement and winter driving is not an issue, then a 4x2 is as good a tow vehicle as a 4x4. But if terrain or weather conditions is going to come into play, I'd rather have the traction of a 4x4 (or yes a 4x3 if it's IFS or SFA w/o LSD in the front) than the couple extra hundred pounds of tow rating...