Why 4X4 vs 4X2?

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Loren & Cathy

I forgot all about Bandag, but as an Iowa native, my memory got jogged.

As for snow tires, we just don’t get the snow like we did in the past, down here or even up in Iowa. I bought a large snow blower back 3 years ago and have yet to use it. Same for the 4 wheel drive and the towing kit I put together for winter. Maybe one of these years. But it still does get muddy. Loren

I bought a new snow blower 3 years ago , still on my second tank of gas
If it snows less than 4” I just get out the snow shovel , grab a cheap cigar and enjoy being outdoors . I figure 3 or 4 hours of shoveling is my exercise for the day and more fun than going to the gym .

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by SFDavis50

I have always and still do assume that the "road gators" lying at the sides of the roads are all from recapped truck tires.

I’m sure you can find arguments, statistics, anecdotes etc on thendurability of ties of all types. I personally have not run retreads but I have had tread separations and blowouts on more than one national brand of tires. In the 60s, at the socio-economic level where we lived, people did what they could to get by and retreads were a common fact of life. Remember radiator stop leak, spark plug “sandblast” cleaners, points files, and rebuilt water pumps and finally toilet paper oil filters?
Iowa Dave

[Bill and Earline]

One year while in college, I asked for and received a set of four new tires from Sears.
Found them under the Christmas tree. From Sears, I think, $12 each.
That was my first set of new tires, after having bought retreads for my Corvair for $9.99 each.

I still remember a guy at the retread shop in 1969 saying that tire manufacturers had the compounds to make tires last 80,000 miles or more, but that buyers weren't interested.

A short 49 years later and now we can buy those tires. Michelins for my cars, and Goodyear Endurance for the Escape. Happy day.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Bill and Earline

That was my first set of new tires, after having bought retreads for my Corvair for $9.99 each.

Retreads for a Corvair. What would Nader think?

[Defenestrator]

Originally Posted by Bill and Earline

One year while in college, I asked for and received a set of four new tires from Sears.
Found them under the Christmas tree. From Sears, I think, $12 each.
That was my first set of new tires, after having bought retreads for my Corvair for $9.99 each.

I still remember a guy at the retread shop in 1969 saying that tire manufacturers had the compounds to make tires last 80,000 miles or more, but that buyers weren't interested.

A short 49 years later and now we can buy those tires. Michelins for my cars, and Goodyear Endurance for the Escape. Happy day.

Half true I'd say.. they absolutely had the technology to make tires last 80,000 miles, but they would have been noisy and had atrociously bad traction in pretty much all conditions. There's still some tradeoff between longevity and traction/noise, but now they can hit "good enough"

[cpaharley2008]

The Pirelli tires on my Mustang are unbelievable in grip and cornering, sometimes I think the car is on rails going around an exit at 50 mph and stopping is helped with huge Brembo brakes. That said, they can not be used below 40 degrees, these summer tires are a 2 season tire, a trade off for the traction. Oh, the front and rear are different sizes, so no rotation allowed and no spare either, strictly a fair weather ride, but an exhilarating ride though.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

The Pirelli tires on my Mustang are unbelievable in grip and cornering, sometimes I think the car is on rails going around an exit at 50 mph and stopping is helped with huge Brembo brakes. That said, they can not be used below 40 degrees, these summer tires are a 2 season tire, a trade off for the traction. Oh, the front and rear are different sizes, so no rotation allowed and no spare either, strictly a fair weather ride, but an exhilarating ride though.

Hi: cpaharley2008... But what is it's tow capacity? Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Loren & Cathy]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: cpaharley2008... But what is it's tow capacity? Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

He’s probably got a mill in that thing that will burn off a set of tires. Loren

[kstock11]

Originally Posted by Bill and Earline

One year while in college, I asked for and received a set of four new tires from Sears.
Found them under the Christmas tree. From Sears, I think, $12 each.
That was my first set of new tires, after having bought retreads for my Corvair for $9.99 each.

I still remember a guy at the retread shop in 1969 saying that tire manufacturers had the compounds to make tires last 80,000 miles or more, but that buyers weren't interested.

A short 49 years later and now we can buy those tires. Michelins for my cars, and Goodyear Endurance for the Escape. Happy day.

I remember back when in college, they said Michelins would last forever and Pirelli's would wear out quickly, but boy would they hold the road! My first new car was a 1972 Ford Pinto. It came with 5 full size Michelins that I rotated. In addition to that, I used Vredestein Winter tires. At 117,000 miles, the car was rear ended and totaled. Still on the original rubber!

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

The Pirelli tires on my Mustang are unbelievable in grip and cornering, sometimes I think the car is on rails going around an exit at 50 mph and stopping is helped with huge Brembo brakes. That said, they can not be used below 40 degrees, these summer tires are a 2 season tire, a trade off for the traction. Oh, the front and rear are different sizes, so no rotation allowed and no spare either, strictly a fair weather ride, but an exhilarating ride though.

Hi: cpaharley2008... Finally think our new combo is level... that is untill I put new Toyo tires on the Ram eco diesel. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[cpaharley2008]

Are you about due for some new ones on your Escape? Maybe get a "Package deal" on tires....

[Iowa Dave]

Hey Jim,
Them little green ones in this Czech Christmas Wreath are hotter than your Mustang. My brudder Bruce continues to grow vegetables like no other. 600 garlic this year. The parent garlic bulbs were from Johnny’s seeds in Maine about 10 years ago. Plants the garlic about Nov 1 and mulches heavy with white pine needles. He’s a one man truck farmer who delivers to me with his Volvo.
Iowa Dave

[cpaharley2008]

Very nice arrangement, does look like a Xmas selection....your brudder has a multicolored thumb....

[r1bourg]

Many up here have 4*4s....sure they have more traction in snow , loose sand and gravel. I worked in exploration and always kept the truck in 2wdr except under the most extreme road conditions. Those were mainly long steep bush roads , springtime frost coming up on back country roads creating shallow quick sand , crossing shallow streams and rivers , pulling boats out of the lake and such. You never win in mud or snow once you hang er up....dead in the mud. That being said I have always owned a 2wdr and rarely have difficulty as I keep away from the extreme conditions. Add snow tires and weight in the box you are good to go. Off roaring pulling a camper trailer would be a very desirable use for a 4 by 4. You will pay for the luxury....capital , maintenance , fuel.

[Douglong]

Most 4 wheel drive truck owners don't need the feature most of the time, but when needed it's usually really required. For me, if I can afford it I'll buy the 4 wheel drive feature every time for the few times that it's essential.

[Loren & Cathy]

Originally Posted by Douglong

Most 4 wheel drive truck owners don't need the feature most of the time, but when needed it's usually really required. For me, if I can afford it I'll buy the 4 wheel drive feature every time for the few times that it's essential.

I think this sums it up about as good as it can. Loren

[covey]

California has plenty of 2x4 trucks! Fly out for a vacation and drive back! I just sold be 2x4 to my son but handled my 21ft fabulously. Just bought a new 4x4 for the snow in Tahoe so I don’t have to be crunch up in the Subaru...

Idea truck for you? Ram 1500 Eco Diesel! ( maybe??).. that’s what I had with zero problems and great mileage. Glad my son is getting it. New truck- Ram 2500. 8ft bed.. We carry a very heavy Harley on our Escape trips🏍

[cpaharley2008]

I used to ride Harleys both before and after relocating to York, where they are assembled. Sturgis, SD is the mecca for riders and a sight to see and experience. That said, I found that riding competed with camping and traded my Harley in on my first Ram in 2009 to tow better with. Now I ride a bike, with pedals, around the campground....

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Are you about due for some new ones on your Escape? Maybe get a "Package deal" on tires....

Hi: cpaharley2008... The only "Package deal" I seem to get these days is "Holding the bag"!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Andy B]

ndy and Mary D.
Chicadee