4 wheel drive vs just traction control

I'm thinking about getting a Tacoma. I don't need 4WD except for when it snows or when there is ice on the roads, which is about two or three weeks a year. Given this, do you think I could get by with 2WD and traction control only? Would 2WD plus traction control be sufficient for snow and ice in the Midwestern USA?

Thanks!

 

Might as well go ahead and get 4x4, you will likely regret it down the road if you don't. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

You may not need it, but the next owner might want it. 4 x 4 trucks sell much faster, at least around here.

 

My reason for not getting 4WD is cost and the fact that there isn't a 4WD four cylinder model, AFAIK. Fuel economy is a concern for me...

 

I bought a 2011 PreRunner OR with your exact same question in mind. I bought a set of traction cables for the rear and never had any real issues getting around. We don't get much snow here but we get mostly ice.

That said... I traded it in on a 2013 4x4 and never looked back. That was the only 2wd truck I've ever owned but I always in the back of my mind regretted not getting a 4x4. It's nice knowing it is there when you "need" it. We went to Colorado back in March and I was glad I had it.

So yeah, you can get by with a PreRunner but if you're anything like me you'll eventually regret it and trade it in and buy the 4x4 anyway. But either way you go you'll be getting a good, solid truck.

Welcome to the site by the way!

 

I've got a '11 4 cylinder 4wd extended cab with manual transmission. Mileage ain't much better than a 6cyl though.

 

There is a 4 cylinder with 4wd.

 

Didn't see that on the Toyota site. Thanks!

 

Keep in mind that 4x4 isn't only for snow, depending on where you drive, 4x4 can come into play at any moment and not necessarily for wheeling.

Sure there is one school of thought that those 3 days a year may not justify the cost, but resale is a consideration, in my case backing up my slippery driveway at camp, towing that trailer of firewood in a gravel driveway... you name it. I learned this the hard way when I had a 1978 Chevy 4x4 gas hog, being young and stupid I pulled my front driveshaft off once in the summer, I got that thing stuck on a fishing trip and barely got it out. Then came the manual locking hubs...LOL.

 

I ran into the same debate when I picked up mine. I went with the PreRunner because the base looks weird on 5lugs. There were only a couple times it would have been 'nice' but not necessary to have 4wd in my case. My logic was that it would help me get moving and get up hills. Driving down hills and stopping is a whole new ball game. Also, if it's that bad outside, I just stay off the roads because I'm more worried about someone else not being able to have control on wintery road and slamming into me... Like other's have stated, it depends on how you plan to use your truck (other than snow) and Re-Sale...

 

They wouldn't make 4x4 if Traction Control was sufficient....also, if you think you might need it in one instance, believe me, you will run across another where you definitely will need it.

 

first time I found 4x4 useful was a week after I got my truck. Raining like hell I pulled my rear wheels off my friends driveway to turn around. even with my lsd rear (traction control) it wouldn't move an inch. put it in 4wd and pulled right out. If not for 4wd I would have spent some time in the pouring rain and mud getting my truck out. Made it worth every penny.

 

Good driving skills trumps 4wd any day of the week. Get some really good tires and you'll be happy even in winter with 2wd. In NH we get a lot of snow but the only time I really feel like I absolutely need my 4wd is when I am towing the snowmobile trailer up to camp. There are some very big hills that are untreated dirt roads and with a 2200 lb trailer in the snow it can be essential to have 4wd. Sometimes when I am pulling my boat out of the water on a dirt ramp I'll use 4wd just so I don't destroy the launch, but I bet I could get out even with 2wd.

 

Same thing I went thru when I bought my 2014 TRD Offroad 4X4.
I am glad I got the 4X4, might not need it that much, it is nice to have.

 

I had a 2wd prerunner. Now im in a 4x4. Just do it right the first time. 4x4!

 

+ 1 on above statement.............Just do it right the first time. 4x4 !!!

 

As already mentioned, you never know when you might need a 4X4, get it. It is just one of those features that you should have on your Tacoma. I live in AZ and we have so many great off road trails and it snows about a hour away, I would have been silly not to get the 4X4 model.

I will never have a hard time selling my truck if I ever decide to, and the resale value is much greater.

 

And just to throw another one in there:

 

I put 100 lbs of sand over the axle and then when it snows I don't shovel it out at all so yes, I load it up, but if you drive like a grandma and don't have a lot of hills to deal with, you wouldn't do worse than 90% of the assclowns on the roads here anyway.

 

No worries that thread was fun and I learned alot. But I can now say my new truck is more capable then a stock 4x4 in the snow.