LJS1993

What is better for towing? Is there really any difference in capabilities?

mbb

Well, if your towing a big boat up a steep algae covered ramp at low tide, yeah, theres a huge difference.

Or maybe pulling a camper thru a muddy dirt road

For towing on highway, I dont think 4wd offers much benefit, and gets less than horrible gas mileage. In fact, the tow capacity is reduced by a few hundred lbs vs 2wd.

nicop

I have had the luxury of having bolth 2wd and 4wd 10th gens.
If your gonna be launching a boat or in muddy conditions often then four wheel drive could potentially be a huge asset... But for a guy like me who tows all the time and pretty much only in ideal conditions the 2wd truck is the better choice.
I honestly can't remember a time when traction has been a problem for me while towing with my 2wd and my 2wd seams to pull alot nicer....but then again I put 4.10 gears in it

Jackedup00

You won't notice a difference, until you need 4x4 lol.

03 Fx4

Saw a beast of a truck the other day, Had FX4 stickers on it but it was a dually 4X4 and I think diesel. Crew cab

My experience never needed 4x4 for on road towing. Wet, icy boat ramps or muddy back woods roads are a different story.

me1234

Back in 2004ish, one of my Dad's friends owned a lawn-mowing company and used a 2wd F-350.
He was fine for a few years, but one day he had trailer issues and had to pull onto a gravel side-skirt. He went out of the truck to fix the problem, and when he got back in, the truck's wheels just spun.

We had to drive 20 minutes to pull the trailer onto road for him w/ 4x4.

Now, I'm not sure if he had an open diff or not(I'm guessing it was open) but this memory has stuck with with me. At minimum, I would make sure to have a limited-slip rear if I was going to tow regularly with a 2wd.

fordguy2100

I'd never waste my money on a 2wd but that's just for me and my family. I use 4x4 way too often and I'm not letting my wife get stranded anywhere either. Most of the time people don't need it but I'm not gonna wait till I need it to cuss and think, dang shoulda got a 4x4

blupupher

iTrader: (2)

Well, as most have already said, depends on your needs. A 2wd with a limited slip will do just as well as a 4wd in most situations while towing.
A 2wd does have a higher tow capacity compared to an equally equipped 4wd by a few hundred pounds.

Red-Ford

While I very rarely use 4x4, my trucks will always be 4x4. Sure they're more expensive in many ways than 1, but to me it's an insurance policy.

If you look at the numbers, as people are saying the 2wd can tow more. Keep in mind that's recommended max towing, but these trucks (and any truck for that matter) can handle more than what their numbers show.

greenheadkiller98

I live in southern Louisiana, I never needed 4x4 unless I was intentionally looking for mud to play in.

That being said when I was big into mud riding and hunting I had a lifted 2wd. Now that I have an fx4 I'm 99.999999% paved road. Kinda ironic. I won't be buying another 4x4 unless I have a legitimate need for it.