Sounds like, for your case, there are no "real" disadvatages.

The one thing I like 4Wd for, even as a tow vehicle, is that you always have that option if you get into a sandy beach area or other soft areas. I've had afew times when I was younger at my parents camp, that I've had to pull folks off the beach because of the same thing. They bought a solid 2WD, but once you get a trailer into the sand or soft terrain you're kinda screwed.

Plus 4L can be fairly handy backing up a heavy load. Pushing is a lot harder on the truck than pulling, and that extra power and lower stress on the tranny is nice.

Just a thought or two...

 

4x4 is one of those things that it is better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it

 

Rich, do the tires hold up as long on a 4wd? I got a whopping 70k out of my first set, they looked dang good when i took em off, so good I put them in my garage. ( goodyear)

 

I dont need one, I just got the dang FEVER!! ME and the 4 kids want to go jack around in the snow (somewhere).

 

I've always had a 4 wheel drive vehicle. I think the tires where just fine. As long as they are rotated and the pressure monitored, they wear great. Got 75,000 miles out of my last BF Goodrich All Terrains. I live in MN and having 4X4 isn't necessary, cars get around just fine. For me I love having it cause I like to screw around in the mud or snow. Doesn't mean you will never get stuck, but you can do a heck of a lot more than with just 2 wheel drive. As cumminalong said, it's nice for backing up. I was snowmobiling a few weekends back and I have a 4 place snowmobile trailer and when backing it up in 2 wheel drive, I kept sliding, the truck wanted to jacknife. Put it in 4 and backed up no problem.

I think you miss out on a lot of the fun of trucks when you only have 2 wheel drive, but thats just my opinion. Nothing against the 2 wheelers.

 

It all depends on how you use and maintain them, but normally a 2wd doesn't eat up tires as fast.

On these truck, you are always turning the front axle and drive shaft, so I'm betting that is gonna add "some" wear. The other thing is, you have the extra weight of the front axle. Is this gonna wear them faster? Yeah. How much? Can't say.

I'm kind of a fanatic about watching my tire wear, pressure, etc. I always have a digital gauge on me and if a tire even looks a little funny, I'm usually checking them. I'm **** to the point that they better be within 1/2 pound of the opposite tire.

Also, the type of tire plays a big part. Most 2wd trucks have highway tire. They are usually straiht ribbed and don't have large lugs. that right there is gonna increase their life, as they don't build up heat or have as much road resistance.

But, on tire that I have always gotten great life out of has been BFG All Terrains. For a rugged tire, those things wear like iron. When the Michelins on this thing wear out, I'll put a set of BFG AT's on. Great life outta them.

 

Have you ever hada 4WD?

4WD ONLY GETS YOU STUCK DEEPER.

If not, do yourself a favor.....BUY A BEATER. I mean a $1500, don't give a rat's butt about it BEATER.

You'll have more fun, the kids will have fun (because you'll actually let them play when they are old enough) and you don't have to worry about jacking up your big pretty truck.

My last truck was awfully pretty until I decide to start playing in the mud. Ended up with scratches and digs all over the place.

 

Rich, Can I work a gooseneck ball into a shortbed? The truck Im looking at is like yours. Only a 6sd. Im kinda scared of the auto the way I pull. I get up to 26k gross pretty regular.

 

Sure can. Usually a GN won't give you any kinda problems. With a 5th wheel you want a slider for tight turns, otherwise you risk hitting the cab.

You gonna get a 3500? They have the overload springs in the back. Nice for that kinda weight on GN.