4WD needed for Tahoe trips?

Recently moved about 2 hrs away from Tahoe. I've had my 09 Double Cab Long Bed SR5 for a few years now and I love it. Never really had a need for 4WD before, but now that I'm close to Tahoe and plan to take trips out to the ski resorts often, do you think I'll be wishing I had a 4wd Tacoma?

Other than snow trips to Tahoe that I'm hoping to do this year, I pretty much just use my truck to haul around my dogs or bikes. No offroading/4wheeling for me.

I'm open to selling my truck and getting a 4WD, but I'm sure I'll have to add some $$. If you guys think I can do without the 4WD, I'd rather spend the $$ on a camper shell! What do you guys think?

 

Depends on you and the time (night or day and the part of the season you plan to go)If your in the snow a lot then 4wd is more convenient.(mostly at night and I think dec and Jan when it snows a lot.)You don't have to put on chains later into the season. Most of the time the road is plowed. Over the years I've only been in 1 or 2 severe snow storm where you can't see 1 feet in front of you and the trucks you are passing are throwing snow in your windshield so your blind for like 10 seconds. That time I was glad I was in a 4wd. You cAn do with out chains around sac area but if your more towards Reno there will be snow that ways.

 

I just came back from a ski resort in Truckee lastnight and CHP was at the on ramp. If you did not have 4WD/AWD you got turned around. I did see some people on the freeway with chains. He may have been letting people on the freeway with chains but I wasnt paying attention. There was only a few cars on the freeway with me. Im happy I have 4WD and dont have to worry about camping out until conditions improve.

 

Last night was fun around the Tahoe basin and then heading back down I80... 4x4 can help you avoid hunting for that last minute hotel that is dog friendly. On the crawl up Donner Pass, chain control was in full effect. I swear I saw over 50 accidents due to improper cable/chain application or chuckleheads thinking they were superman.

 

This question's basically a NorCal FAQ. The short answer is that having 4x4 is sometimes useful and convenient for driving in the mountains. But you're asking if you should sell your 2WD truck that you presumably like, and buy a different one? Buy some chains. Practice putting them on when the weather's nice. Keep them in the back, along with gloves, a grungy waterproof jacket, a headlamp flashlight, and a big piece of cardboard you can put down on the muddy ground where you work. Then don't worry about it.

Then, if you find you're putting on chains more often than you'd like, think about trading your truck.

(trying to get back to post 6000 after some posts have been deleted, presumably off of deleted threads)

 

If it's snow season, In most places 4wd is dang near required. Also, if you are 4wd, and you do not have tires legibly marked as "snow" or "Mud and Snow", CHP may not allow you to pass during certain times, unless you chain up. Even then, in some cases, they still won't.

In the dry season, most of the trails that are "green" in the Guide to California** book. Are two-wheel drive passable. Some of the blue trails are too. Now I say this with a Caveat. I also own a Tacoma Pre-Runner, that is lifted and on 33x12.5s (which is why I bought a 4Runner, to have a 4WD camping/overland style rig), and have taken two other AWD (Subaru Outback, and a Early/Mid 2000's Toyota Rav4 Sport) on many of the trails along with me. Most of the trails around Ellis Peak (Minus anything Rubicon) are fairly easy for RWD, and a capable, calm, driver.

**
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gui...oks_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP62465

 

4wd makes life easier but not required. Chains are cheap. Practice installing at home. Once you have done it a few times its quick but its not as easy as turning a switch.

 

Tahoe? Get a 4wd

 

agreed, 4x4 is so much easier. Front driving wheels help "pull" you through slick corners. Chains are doable, but 4x4 and decent tires means you can leave your house whenever you need.

 

I'd wait until you feel like you're limited by 2WD. Chains are very easy to install, and as long as you're not trying to drive through snow banks you should be fine. Assuming you've got good M+S tires. Especially if you're just going to ski resorts. Plenty of people drive to those in Honda Civics. If by the end of the winter you're freaking out, then you know to make the trade.

 

I live an hour from Tahoe, I definitely recommend getting a 4wd.

 

I went up to the snow in my tacoma about a week ago when it was storming pretty decent up in the mountains, I'm 2wd stick so I can somewhat control my traction a little better then an auto, we went up mormon immigrant trail where the road was closed, I was plowing powder pretty good! I got stuck about 3 times throughout the whole day, I was of course with other 4wd people for that reason, it was a blast though! Kind of snow rallying! I wouldn't suggest it unless your 100 percent comfortable pushing the limits a bit, safely of course

 

I converted my truck to 4wd after one trip to Tahoe.
Couldn't make it up a hill without chains. The fact that most the roads are plowed and you have to take them on and off depending on where you are going was too much of a pain. I was just driving around exploring and when you get off the main plowed roads the smaller ones are usually snowed up. Was too much of a hassle having to take em on and off.