I am definately going to purchase a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab with the 6.2L but I can't decide between 2wd and 4wd. I told myself that the next truck I purchased would be 4wd but I really don't know why, maybe because I never had a 4wd vehicle. I live in SW Florida and everything is flat, there is no snow or ice, and I drive 20,000 miles a year. I do have a 22" boat but I have never had a problem at the boat ramps, I never even spun the tires on the ramps. I do vacation in North Carolina or Tenessee for a few weeks in the summer. Basicly, I only came close to needing 4wd one time in the last 5 years and only because I was playing around.

What is the mpg difference between 2wd and 4wd?

What is the insurance cost difference between 2wd and 4wd?

What is the maintenance cost difference between 2wd and 4wd?

For those of you with 2wd, do you wish you would have went with 4wd and why?

For those of you with 4wd, do you wish that you would have went with 2wd and why?

If you were me, would you go with 2wd or 4wd?

 

For me it is like a gun. "Better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it". I know lots of guys use it to leave harder off the line too since traction is hard to get in these trucks.

 

I voted 2wd...If you dont "need" it , Why incur all the added costs for no reason..I live in San Diego and actually used my AWD SSS in the snow once in 3 years..other than that it just helped break trannys as there is no wheel spin to soak up some torque..Get a tru-trac and be done with it

 

If you aren't ever going to need it, like Ribeiro said, get a TrueTrac and a 2wd. That said, I love having the auto 4wd option for the rain. In the case I need to move out of the way quickly, or merge with traffic, I can be sure my tail end isn't going to kick out.

My mpg have been about the same as my mom's 2002 2wd Tahoe, Wheatley tuned as well

 

I voted 4x4 because I just bought my first 4wd a few months back and I find places to use it lol. plus your resale will be alot more.

 

Couldn't have said it any better myself . I had a 2010 Silverado CC 5.3, with the G80, and it was terrible in the rain, let alone snow... Now let's add 100 hp, and the possibility of going into the ocean. These would be clear signs to get it, in case you needed it .

 

It can rain like hell down here in the gulf coast and it is nice to engage 4wd and hold the road a lot more easily.

 

Is there a difference in the ride between 2wd and 4wd?

 

My '09 and '11 have both been 4x4 Z71s with 265/65/18s. My friend has an '08 2wd with the 275/55/20s and honestly there isn't much difference in the ride quality between my trucks and his in our opinion. With his truck you definitely feel the bumps in the road and railroad tracks a little bit more and in mine rapid 60+mph lane changes don't feel as "sure", but this is to be expected with the difference in wheels/tires. I honestly couldn't say if the extra weight up front makes a difference you can "feel". Obviously when 4wd is engaged there is an entirely different steering feel.

 

I went 4x4, no regrets. I live in southwest AZ where it never even rains and I still use it to go exploring and to have fun. If you think you will enjoy exploring trails and such and some point,even in a different state, then you may want to consider the 4x4. If not, and you don't anticipate dealing with any severe inclement weather, then don't bother.