IMO, you will be fine with the 4x2 based on your description of needs.

Notice how most all of the replies to get the 4x4 come from people who live where it snows ? Do you do any off-roading where 4X4 is needed ?


I live in south TX where it does not snow. A few years ago I bought a Ram 1500 Quad Cab SLT 4x4 which cost more than a 4x2 obviously. My thinking was just like one of the replies you got here in that I would never think about buying a truck unless it was a 4x4........................... I used the 4x4 TWICE the whole time I owned the truck and one of those times was on the beach here just because I had the damn truck for 6 months and never had a reason to put it in 4 wheel drive yet. Oh, and my wife was following me that day at the beach in her Nissan Sentra because here the beaches are drive on beaches like at Daytona Fl, so I didn't even need to use 4x4.

I now own a 2010 1500 Quad Cab Hemi 4x2 and tow a camper about once a month, I have never got stuck or wished I had a 4X4 to help me tow more.

A 4x2 also has a higher payload capacity and slightly higher towing capacity than a 4X4 for the same size tires and rear end. (Except for the LT tires, than the payload capacity is the same but the towing capacity is still higher in the 4X2).

If you have the coin to spend on 4X4 by all means go ahead, but only you can decide if the extra cost upfront is worth it to you when you will hardly ever need it.

The resale value will be SLIGHTLY higher on a 4X4, but anybody here that tries telling you that you will make the initial cost of the 4X4 back is either very naive, or a liar. Do some research, the resale / trade in value of these Ram's in both 4X4 or 4X2 are horrible, probably the worst of the Big 3.

When I used to live in NJ, you're damn right I had a 4X4. I used to laugh at the 4X2's that had to put sand bags in the bed just to get any traction in the snow. I also used to go mudding so a 4X4 was a must back then............................ but I don't go off roading anymore and snow is not an issue for me now so I don't need the added expense of a 4X4 and the extra cost of any potential repair bills vs a 4X2.

 

Now I know why I have been wanting to join this forum for a long time, great input thanks everyone! I agree with almost every reply and have been flip flopping all day. Incase anyone is interested here are the trucks:

2011 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 SLT
5.7L, 3.55 rear, 17" tire, Luxury group, technology group, remote start
25,880 OTD

2011 Ram Crew Cab 2x4 SLT Big Horn
5.7L, 3.55, 20"(Big Horn package) luxury group, technology group, uconnect, remote start, power adjust pedals, 30 G hard drive touch screen media center, and by the way it is black, my favorite truck color.
OTD probably around 23,000

The reason for the low OTD is I am trading in my Dodge Dakota and a motorcycle I have giving me 6300 in equity.

My other goal is staying as far under 25,000 for financing as possible. 23,500 is my ultimate goal

 

I see more 4x4 trucks, SUVs in the ditch during winter storms, Not the fault of the truck but the driver who fails to understand, a 4x4 will stop any quicker, or turn quicker when traction is lost.

I too live in Alberta, I grew up with RWD cars, and owned a lot of 2wd trucks that would go any where with good tires and a ltd slip in the dead of a winter storm.

4wd may add abought 500LBS to to a truck and in your stuck 2wd, your going to burn as much gas, rocking back and forth to get un stuck.

Thiers no true 4wd as the front diffs on a stock truck are open, 3wd is the norm unless you run a front locker, still, extra traction in the front of truck is priceless when your that guy stuck on a slight incline.

I don't use 4x4 much in my 2500 Ram, but thier will be a day in the winter season when I need 4wd.

 

I've always bought 2wds and never seen a problem with resale. Big heavy 2wd does just fine in the MN winters even when towing a car trailer.

 

It doesn't sound like you'll need it and I had to sacrifice to get it. I traded getting a CC with a few more options to have the 4x4 and only regret not getting the LSD. But we get a fair amount of snow and think the LSD would've helped for the price. I just dumped the diff oil and looked good for my 3.55 gears after 45,000 km, so no complaints with them. Get what you want/need for your budget and there's always next time. A Laramie's in my future, I hope.. The Big Horn looks good but I'm not a fan of the 20's. I tried some off my friends Sport for a few months this summer and they look good but I wouldn't want to replace the rubber. Down south you can pickup 17's dirt cheap and they're better for towing.

 

My present truck is a Sport 4x4. It replaces a F150 2x4. Most of the time, the Ford did fine in the snow up here. I always said that 4wd was only necessary when one shouldn't be out there driving.
As you can see, I bought 4 wheel anyways.
One real difference is the step in height of the 2wd. Lots lower and easier for passengers to get in and out of.

 

LOL overall height difference between a 2wd crewcab and a 4wd crew cab is .3 inches.

Overall Height75.1"74.8"

 

Didn't know as I never looked at the Ram 2WD.

Lots lower on the F150 though!

 

I guess it depends on where you live. If you have harsh winters you should get the 4x4 as reselling in your state will be much easier due to the higher demand for the 4x4. My 2011 Ram QC Hemi is the first 4x4 I've ever owned. I've owned a 92 Dakota 4x2, a 95 Dakota 4x2, a 2006 Dakota 4x2, a E150 4x2, and a couple different front wheel drive cars. I've never absolutely needed a 4x4 but there were situations in the past couple of horrid Iowa winters where a 4x4 would have gotten me unstuck and I wouldn't of been out digging with a shovel in a hurry to get to work.

I just think your better off having it just in case you do need to use it, and because I have found that 4x4s hold their values better. When I drove my 06 Dakota off the lot brand new it had an MSRP of a little over $20,000. I bought it at $16,000 and it depreciated horribly. I was lucky enough to trade it in and get some extra money buying my 2011 Ram. If it would of been the 4x4 or the V8 for that matter I don't think it would of depreciated nearly as much and I probably would have been looking at more money during trade in. When I bought my 2006 Dakota ST V6 4x2 there was also a 2006 Dakota V8 4x4 and the price was $20,000. If I could of gone back I would of bought the V8 4x4 over the V6 4x2 in a heartbeat. You pay extra money up front, but you end up getting more of that money back in the long run.

I suppose having just the V8 would also help the value but 4 wheel drive adds about $3,000 to $4,000 to the value of your vehicle. Now if you live somewhere dry, where it never snows, and you don't plan on going off roading then you should probably go with a 4x2. Demand wouldn't be as high in your area so you probably wouldn't need to worry about having the 4x4 when you go to resell or trade in.

 

Sounds like you got your head screwed on straight, Brother. Make up your own mind, based on what you want, and what you can afford.

Meanwhile - thanks for what you do!

Phil Jungels
Vietnam Vet