Ducati996

When I was shopping for a solid truck that can handle a wide a variety of requirements, there was always pressure from Dealers and others to not bother with 4wd, and go 2wd. When they did that, I told them they just lost my business and I went elsewhere. Why? because I knew I needed it and not just for winter. Dealers just thought they knew what they were talking about, and were just trying to sell whats on the lot pissed me off to no end. If I listened I would have been in real bad shape trying to get a lot of work done.

Fast forward to today and I think of all the times I would have been screwed without 4 wd drive low, with a full load of material (16k or more).
The requests for dumping material in tight areas is a big demand - so much so that I dont know how it would be done without a truck of my size. Just simply getting over curbs would be impossible, with that much weight in the bed. A standard 2 wd wouldn't be able to clear the curb safely without screwing up your axles or leaf springs. Jumping the curb at speed would be a real bad thing. Plenty of time the terrain is very much in bad shape, and the 4wd makes things much more in control and safe.
The torque that the 4wd drive low provides in idle is enough to roll right over curbs and other hurdles with no effort. It was dead still when in 2wd at the curb without spinning tires (totally unnecessary too).
The likely solution of someone with 2wd being forced to dump the load where they were, and either moving it by machine of hand -creating much extra work, its crazy...

So besides snow removal duties - the 4wd is key for all season deliveries and job requirements - dont let anybody tell you otherwise and find out the hard way. Just my opinion

New to the Fold: Kubota L39 w/grapple, pallet forks, BH QA buckets, and more!
JD 2520, 210Cx, 46BH, 60" Box Blade-Mid West, 52" Mid West aerator, 52" first choice Tiller, 5' Fontier blade, 42" pallet forks, Green MFG PHD, Mid West York Rake w/guage wheels, Cub 3204 with Blower & Simms Cab, Mowers (44",48",50"),Ford 2006 F550 turbo diesel 4x4 w/11' mason dump, 16' 10k Doolittle trailer, Southwestern enclosed trailer, Wright Stander RH 52", Better Outdoor Product Quick 32" WB mower, and more !!

LoneCowboy

I agree
I go onto these properties and/or roads and getting parked/turned around or into a wash with mud
i'd be screwed without 4wd.

Nobody ever had 4wd and wished for 2wd.

The extra 5k more than pays for itself. Out here (colorado) 2wd drive trucks have almost zero resale value, who wants one?

Brian H
Longmont CO
Pasture Maintenance
NH TN75DA, NH TC45D,
06 Chevy Duramax 2500HD
03 Freightliner Columbia MBE 460

Dougster

I can tell you how us dirt stinkin' poor people do it: dump trailers!

No, not nearly as good (or safe) as a dump truck... and yes, you better be pulling it with a 4x4 or you are stuck more often than you are moving. Gotta watch out for cops like a hawk and certain places won't let you dump demo debris... but po' folk like moi gotta do what we gotta do.

Dougster™

SunDog

Agree x 2 or 3. I pull my dump trailer with an old 4WD GMC 3/4 ton pickup. Never wished for 2WD either. Those dealers must be pushing 2WD because they have too many of them on the lot

Maybe if all I did was drive around on paved roads in south Florida...

- 2003 Kubota L4630 compact utility tractor w/ loader & backhoe, bought new.
- Category 1 Implements include a Befco tiller, 6 ft Bush Hog cutter, antique Massey Ferguson 3 bottom plow and a post hole digger
- 1986 Kubota G6200H garden tractor, bought in 2005 to maintain lawns and harvest grass clippings for mulch.
- 2004 Ariens 1128 PRO walk-behind snow blower.

PaulChristenson

I have an old 1987 2WD Dump Truck...but that being said...I know where I use it...and none of those places require 4WD...

When I finally replace it, it will be a 4WD version...

Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright