OK.. So while I dont freely admitt this on TFF, but im a yankee (yes thats right). Coming from upstate NY, I have always had 4x4 trucks, and used/needed that 4x4 many many times. Now that Ive been in TX for almost a year, I havent encountered any need for it.

Sooo... To the fellow sportsmen here and long time residents of this wonderfull state, do you have or need 4x4?

Boat ramps seem to be mostly paved and havent needed 4x4 yet.

Went hunting at Whitney, but the roads back in didnt seem to bad.

Am I seeting myself up for trouble if I go 4x2?

Welcome to Texas. The answer to your question depends on where you hunt and fish. I have a 4X4 and have really needed it only a few times. I fish at several ponds that do not have paved access, so having 4WD for me was a good thing. Was it worth it? To me, yes because I bought the truck used and did not pay any more for the 4WD. If you are buying new and do not get off of the beaten path that often, you probably don't need it. That being said, don't call me the first time you get stuck!

I don't want to be the guy saying,"I wish I had a 4x4 right now". You rarely hear anyone say the opposite. It's nice to know that you have it. Being a hunter and fisherman, it's automatic for me to get a 4x4. I've gone through some rough stuff hunting and fishing.

The only 4x4 that don't make sense to me are the one's that are so tall that you have to have a ladder to get into it and have 24 inch rims. They look good for show, but are they functional? I know that they won't make it down the trails I've been down. They won't clear the tree branches! I guess what ever floats your boat, everyone has different taste. I respect that. Welcome to Truck Country!

i dont need a 4x4 , got a atv for that , not shure the difference in fuel economy between the two is worth the occasional use , limited slip gets me by

Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

I know.. but whats the limit? I have a 20ft boat.. A 22ft'er would be much better when caught off gaurd by a storm..

Do you guys ever NEED 4x4 pulling out a bass boat on any of these ramps?

I have never needed 4wd pulling my boat from a paved ramp, but I have needed it driving offroad after it rains and for heavy work like pulling out stumps from the ground.

I have Never needed a 4x4 ever. Although I do tow with a AWD Denali. The slickest ramp I have ever encountered is the East Diablo ramp on Lake Amistad. Never a problem. Now pickups is a whole different story.

It all depends on how many lakes you go to and different ramp you use. I have seen some steep ramps, ramps with algae, mud, sand, and have launched boats in areas where it was a sand bar where I needed the 4wd. I sometimes just use the 4lo without locking the hubs just so I don't burn my clutch up on my Toyota.

Just don't be this guy...
Stuck at ramp

im sorry i didnt get a 4x4

Some of the lakes I go to are low and require launching from the bank. I've even had to do this at Buchanan a few times when it was low. A 4x2 would get you in a bind at times doing this.Yeppers, I have and will always have a 4x4. I use my truck for hunting and fishing. I seldom need the 4x4 but when I do it is there.

2007 Chev, 2500 crewcab Duramax 4x4 with Power Chip

I also thought long and hard about this when I bought my new truck. I had a 1994 F-150 without limited slip and in fifteen years, I only got stuck once. If I would have had limited slip I probably could have gotten out of that one. If your not going off pavement, I say you don't need 4 Wheel drive but like some of the other posters said...Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!

The most important thing about pullin our on a slick ramp it to ease on the gas, dont punch it.

This said I have a two wheel drive and have had the privelege of cussing it several several times. Yes I do take it some places I shouldnt. I have high centered it over three times in a morning trying to get down to a creek around the house, and found out that it wont pull my boat our of the brazos and up about 100' of bank without putin a 55 gallon drum of water in the bed. Do you need it, no, but it sure is nice to have. I cant aford to buy a new truck now, but my next one will be 4x4 for sure. Till then I will continue to get buy.

matt

I have never needed 4WD but when I got my new truck I got it, just because I was getting a new truck and just in case.

i like mine being 4x4 because the suspension is beefier. i have only used it twice in 4whd. that was to keep from tearing up a field that was damp. its security in my mind, knowing I have it when I might need it. i dont think i will ever own another truck without 4wd.

4WD is definitely nice to have when when you need it. I have both right now so I have the option to drive the 4WD when I think that I will need it. As far as ramps go limited slip or a locker should be all you need. I have used 4WD on ramps twice. Once on Travis and once to pull a big### cabin cruiser out of the water on Texoma. If you are planning to get out onto wet fields or dirt roads when wet then get the 4WD.

I've never needed it. When I was in S. Texas I had deer leases I used my Olds Cutlass! I've had 3 suburbans and one Tundra and still haven't needed it.

Yes, it would be nice but at what price? I tow a 17.5 Nitro today w/the tundra. I have yet to slip on a ramp.

diesels are good with the 4x4 because they weigh so much i know that you may not need it but it is good to have i have used mine several times.

The 4x4 suspension makes the pickup look better anyways. I have it and have had to use it on several occasions. Even used it yesterday since our lake is so low that you have to launch from the beach.

now watch what the idiot does next http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvAQBimee80&feature=related

Ive used my 4x4 many times. Try getting your tractor stuck and pulling it out with a 4x2! Better have a long tow rope and some dry ground. If you ever plan on buying hunting land or going to check out property for sale, the weather is not always great and you never know what to expect. If not for the 4x4, me and my brother would have been stuck on the backside of a 50 acre property out in the middle of nowhere. Also used it when looking at some land in pushmataha county up in OK. It was literally on the top of a mountain and thetrail to the top was so steep , the back wheels alone wouldnt cut it.

Its also good to have when some good looking girls get their car stuck on the side of the road and need to be pulled out. You can be cool and confident pulling them out with your 4x4, or try pulling them out without it and praying you dont get stuck yourself and look like an idiot.

If you ever go to the beach or anywhere sandy, a 2 wheel drive truck is the worst because your powered wheels have no weight on them. You can weight down the bed for better traction though.

Plus, you'll have a 4x4 and then as a direct result be exponentially cooler!

I have a 4X4 and have been asked this same question from others several times. All I can say is do I NEED it - No, not really. But for the times that you use it, you are sure damn glad you have it. When your stuck in the mud, on a wet ramp that is slick or iced over a bit, off road, taking it easy on someones grass, etc. you'll be glad that you had those other 2 wheels with the weight over them to help out.

4x4 is good for getting out of trouble. But too many people use it to get into trouble.

I have an electronic locking rear differential and have yet to need 4 wheel drive anywhere here in Texas.

All that means is you havent gone enough places here in texas, becasue there are plenty of times and places you need it, or a good budy that has it to help you out.

matt