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2WD vs 4WD vacation rig

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77crewcab

1/2 ton status
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Lubbock, Texas
I have a question for yall I need some help with. If you were going to make a suburban into a nice vacation/trailer towing rig, would you use a 2WD 3/4 ton, 3/4 2WD converted to 4WD or a 4WD 1/2 ton converted to 3/4 axles? I am planning to build a burb up to be nice and comfy for long trips with the family pulling a 26 foot camper trailer that weighs about 6K. The big issue I am having is should it be 2or 4WD. I bought a 3/4 2wd burb and it is actually a good runner and driver but of course needs some freshening up of the suspension.

But there is the nagging thought that a 4WD would be nice to have. Not that it would see any real offroad stuff, just the occaisional winter weather and maybe a muddy camp spot. I have to say that the 2WD trucks I have had in the past never really gave me any problems other than getting stuck at lake we go to often after it rained the entire weekend we were there. We have only been in snowy weather once while camping. I am just wondering if having the 4WD would be worth the hassle, or should I just stick with the 2WD.
 
I'd rather have something and not need it.
 
If it was simply a tow rig that might see some dirt once in a while. I think I would go with a 3/4 ton 2WD with a Gov lock or other locker in the back for a little added traction.. Keep it simple. Plus you will get better gas MPG with the 2wd.
 
Definitely use the 3/4 ton sub, since it has a stronger frame than a 1/2 ton. A rear locker would probably be all you needed, but I would convert to 4wd just to be able to play when you get there.:D
 
I wheeled a 2wd suburban for awhile that had 33" At

I just took a lot of momentum and wheel speed, I went through some pretty serious stuff, but it was mud only no rocks or anything


And the 3/4 ton is thicker, it might be taller too but I'm not sure
 
Don't really need a 4WD for playing when camping. Mostly we use mountain bikes and sometimes ATVs to go exploring. My biggest concern would be with weather conditions I guess. We don't really do anything in the wintertime but there have been a few times we have encountered a early/late light snowfall when we go to Ruidoso, NM. And as stated a few times where after lots of rain it was a little difficult to pull the trailer out at one of the lakes we go to. It doesn't have a paved camp spot there just dirt/grass. I would probably see some dirt roads but they are usually well maintained so no need for 4WD. Like Kert said better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I am just not sure it it would be worth the effort to convert to 4wd on the 3/4 ton burb. In the past I have almost always used just 2wd truck s and not had many problems since we mostly go in spring/summer time. It would also throw off the design I have for the center console since it is based on a 2WD truck. I could use a cable shifter I guess. I don't expect to see much off pavement time in this burb though so would it really be worth it to swap? If I were to decide to swap to 4WD could I simply use all the bracketry and front springs from one of my 1/2 ton burbs?
 
USSkoval said:
What makes the frame itself stronger? Thicker metal? After comparing several, they look to be the same, year-for-year.
Click to expand...
I have 4 'burbs on the prmises to choose from and the frame on the 3/4 ton is of thicker steel. I don't have a mic but the calipers tell me it's about 40% thicker.
 
Sorry, 77, nobody responded to your last question. Yes, you could use the brackets and springs from a 1/2 ton sub. However, from the sound of your despcription of use, it may NOT be worth the hassle. 2wd rides better, and if you're not really needing the 4wd, converting is a big job. You can see how big by looking at some of the c to k conversions on this site. Like Thunder said, a locker will make a HUGE difference, although I would not suggest a Gov-lok. That's essentially what's in my '05 Dmax, and I don't like the way it works. I would recommend a reg old Detroit locker, since it engages a lot faster. What's the loss in trying it that way to see if you have a problem? Believe me that if you don't like the Detroit, somebody will buy it. If you are happy with just a locker, you kept the project much simpler.
 
Another thing you could do, is get a winch. That way If you get stuck you can pull your self out. Just my 2 cents
 
It may be a bit different in your part of the country too. Here we have snow a good portion of the year. It may be ill advised to travel but we still do. When in doubt Loc it in. 4wd can make all the difference in the world for keeping the front end pointed in the right direction. For me the conversion choice was obvious.
 
I actually see a lot more icy days than real snow. I have no problems driving in inclement weather, but towing in inclement weather is a whole different ball game. Most of the time we go on vacation is in spring/summer though so ice/snow isn't a real concern. There have been a couple time when we have gone to the mountains in eastern New Mexico that we have gotten caught in either an early or late snowfall. Not really a big problem, just take it nice a slow. The more I think about it the idea of a 2WD with a locker sounds good.
 
I am locked front and rear...........I dont really like the way my K5 handles when locked in 4x4 in the snow. Our roads are iced/snowed up from dec to mar in -30 weather, I hardly ever use 4x4 unless the snow is over 6" deep. I get around just fine with my back locked with a Gov lock.
 
77crewcab said:
I actually see a lot more icy days than real snow. I have no problems driving in inclement weather, but towing in inclement weather is a whole different ball game. Most of the time we go on vacation is in spring/summer though so ice/snow isn't a real concern. There have been a couple time when we have gone to the mountains in eastern New Mexico that we have gotten caught in either an early or late snowfall. Not really a big problem, just take it nice a slow. The more I think about it the idea of a 2WD with a locker sounds good.
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Come on now! Your in Texas, give me a break, how often do you really see ice? Does it last past noon? :D

My half ton 2wd Suburban rides like a Caprice and with a weight distribution hitch with sway bar it tows a 26 foot trailer fine. Forget it without! Now I don't tow the trailer in snow or ice but I do drive it all winter on a set of snow tires fine. It's like driving a car with capability to haul a trailer or a load of stuff inside. Plus the 17 MPG minimum is great.
 
I'd say run the 2wd setup with a locker. I'm using a 1/2 ton to tow my 32' travel trailer (weighing in at 5k lbs nothing in it). With WD hitch and air bags, she glides down the road pretty smooth. You gotta remember too, if your trailer is on, you dont have as much traction on the front tires. A winch and locker is gonna be your best bet.:D
 
I live in on the South Plains right at the base of the panhandle. Though it has been pretty mild the past few winters, ice storms are common and last for days usually. I think I am going to stick with just the 2WD and a locked rear. one problem I have encountered is that the 3/4 burb I thought was in good shape isn't as nice as I thought. This morning I pulled out the rear carpet since it was pretty torn and found a big metal panel pop rivited to the floor. Looks from underneath like someone cut out most of the floor at some point and just rivited a panel over the hole. Also found some rust in several places. So I am back to the drawing board. Either use the crewcab I have or do a body swap on the 3/4 burb. The crewcab is starting to look better and better.
 
I don't have much experience towing, but here are a few general comments:

-2WD sub tends to ride better (you said comfy?)
-2WD sub tends to be lower, which is better for towing
-I think in general the bodies are better on the 2WD models because they haven't been in the snow and ice as much (and were more popular in southern states).
-2WD should get better MPG.

So it's really up to you to decide if you have to have 4WD
 
4WD certainly helps for traction, no question.

The difference between locked in the rear and unlocked is night and day though. Experienced it this past weekend. Dads truck 6000lb "standard" 1981 style K20, 454/4.10's,open diff. Mine 5000lb K5, 350/3.42's, gov-lock. Climbing dry, dusty, mixed gravel/dirt logging road, he couldn't climb without going to 4wd, I right behind him, had no problems in 2wd.

I couldn't climb a dry/steeper bank out of the creek in 2wd, so it really will depend on YOUR usage...if it's one time a year or so, is it REALLY worth the hassle/ride/expense/long term fuel economy hit to convert to 4WD?

I have been thinking I'd go NV4500 for the overdrive in my truck, but when you figure 2000 miles or probably much less on the freeway, how much is it REALLY going to benefit? Not enough to make the swap worth my time and money, except that it would be cool. :)

I think I too would suggest a gov-loc (in anything other than the 10/12 bolts) and see if you can live with it like that. You'll probably be real surprised at what that will do in your case, and it certainly won't make things any worse. A true locker in ice is worse than open, a gov-loc can at least attempt to give you a BIT more control in those situations.
 
Well I have really been thinking about it today and going over the 3/4 burb a little closer. I could do a body swap to get one in better shape, but after spitting the body/frame on my K5, I would hate to try it on a burb without a lift. I think I will just part out the 3/4 burb and use my 77 c20 crewcab as I had origionally thought of doing. It would still be 2WD and would use a locker of some sort. Maybe an air locker would be a good choice.

Any way it would mean less people/covered storage area. The people part could me managed with a second car on the few trips where we have several people going with us. The covered storage could be taken care of by putting the stuff in the trailer while on the road. It would also open up the possibility of getting a 5th wheel trailer down the road.
 
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