4x4 versus 2wd TRD

I'm in the market to buy a Tacoma and am debating between 4x4 and 2wd with TRD. I will use it for camping and eventually pulling a popup. I'm leaning toward 4x4 because here in Arizona we like to camp as far away from everyone else as we can. As I understand it, in a 2wd, TRD offroad package does give you a locking rear diff. Is that correct?

 

Arizona = 2wd... no need for the 4x4

(let the poo flinging begin... )

 

DelMarva,
Have you been to Arizona? Besides Phoenix or Tucson?

 

I camp, fish, snowboard, scuba, ect... all the time... I'm out doing something just about every week and never needed a 4x4... Event went mudding two weeks ago with not issue at all.

 

I lived in Southern Arizona for 5 years....

 

Sierra Vista's different terrain from Flagstaff or the White Mountains.

 

I took my PRERUNNER to the white mountains quite a bit...

hence my theory about ability and number of drive wheels...

98% of driving off road lies in skill and ability... not the availability of a switch on the dash

 

I've been wheeling for 20 years and you're right, ability matters most. I have a 1978 built CJ7 for serious wheeling.
My biggest issue is more about pulling a popup thru the back country. I don't want to get in a situation where I need 4x4 that one time in the woods where I'm by myself.

 

I would get 4x4. I live in Florida..no snow or mountains, but lots of soft sand on the trails and beaches. I still get 18.5 mpg with mixed driving, so economy isn't an issue. Wet boat ramps also make 4x4 great for me. You just have to decide it it's worth 3k. However, when you go to resell your truck you should get most of the 3k back.

 

sounds like you've already made up your mind

and yes, the TRD Prerunner OR has a locking rear diff

 

There are a lot of Prerunners for sale out here but not many 4x4's. And I'm trying to stay away from dealers. Saves a lot of money on taxes. I'll just have to keep looking.

 

i have a DC 4x2 and i got the thing stuck in soft sand on the side of the highway..so now im looking into 4x4.. i should have just got the 4x4 to begin with.

 

You probably won't need 4x4 in Arizona unless you plan on driving in deep desert sand. Many people here at TW do fine with a Pre-Runner with the LSD or Locker. I don't know about Arizona, but wether you buy from a dealer or a private party, the state is still going to get you for sales tax. You pay either at the dealer or the DMV when you go get your plates, but the state still gets their money. Arizona may be different.

 

When in doubt,go 4X4.
It's better than maybe wishing you did.

 

the trick to having a 2wd is not putting yourself in that situation...

Don't get me wrong... I'm in process of looking for an 09 4x4

 

You can have something and not need it, and it doesnt really matter. Then when you need something and dont have it....well that just sucks!
I agree its a lot of driving skill, but theres only so much 2 wheels can do. I honestly can't even imagine owning a 2wd truck ever again. I drove one for years. The first time I used 4wd I wanted to kick my own ass for not gettin a truck with it years ago.

 

I'm torn... mag gray, barc red, or pyrite mica...

think I'm done with the SWB for a while...

 

that's my wife's favorite color too...

I never would have thought that... I like it because it'll hide dirt well... plus some nice countersteers in bronze would look oofta on there:

 

I can definitely take you to some places out here where 2wd won't make it. It has to do with spots where one rear wheel is off the ground and you're relying on the other side to get traction.