4x4 or winter tires on new truck

[Holyfenix]

Fellow Automotive Miskers I would like your opinion.

Next year I will be in the market for a new truck. I am debating on paying the premium for 4x4 vs getting a nice set of winter tires with wheels.
I don't off road but haul or tow stuff sometimes.
I live in Reno which gets snow enough to cause issues maybe 1-5 times a year.
Would 4x4 even be worth the extra cost for me. Its usually a $3k-$7k upcharge for 4x4. Winter tire and wheel package would run me around $2000 (not looking for anything fancy).

Resale doesn't seem to be much different between the 2wd and 4wd models.

[Murph0408]

i have to admit i am surprised it isn't a factor in resale

so if i'm reading correctly you'd have a separate set of wheels/tires for the winter? maybe i'm lazy but, as a truck owner, i would not want the hassle of making the switch every year, plus storing the other 4 tires/wheels on the side. forget that. just pay up front and get the 4WD

[Holyfenix]

i have to admit i am surprised it isn't a factor in resale

so if i'm reading correctly you'd have a separate set of wheels/tires for the winter? maybe i'm lazy but, as a truck owner, i would not want the hassle of making the switch every year, plus storing the other 4 tires/wheels on the side. forget that. just pay up front and get the 4WD

Most decent tire shops will change out the wheels for you if you buy them there. I have more than enough space in my garage for 4 wheels and tires. I hear what your saying though. I guess I should see how long tires last if they are just sitting in the garage.

[Murph0408]

Most decent tire shops will change out the wheels for you if you buy them there. I have more than enough space in my garage for 4 wheels and tires. I hear what your saying though. I guess I should see how long tires last if they are just sitting in the garage.

you probably need to individually seal/shrink-wrap each tire. i don't know how fool proof that is and maybe someone will step in and say it's all easy and i'm way off.

to me its like....easier on paper than in real life, having to do that every winter. my ram has the feature where you can flip the 4WD "auto" on and it kicks on and off as you drive around in so-so weather. worth it.

[Clockbro]

Look up the difference between 4wd and all wheel drive.

4 wheel drive does not equate to good snow handling, esp with a pickup truck that has a sig lighter back end.

Snow tires are the safest and most reliable, but if you are only using them a few times per year may not be worth it to run them between Nov to April. They are loud and do not handle well.

[PTzFree]

Big misconception among the people who end up in a ditch here in the NE is their 4x4 or AWD system makes them invincible.

Tires>4x4 and it's not even close.

However, two sets of turning wheels is better than one. By the time everyone finally gets tracking and stops spinning when the light turns green, most AWD and 4x4 vehicles are long gone.

[SouthDakotaBrah]

4x4 with all terrain tires, feels good being able to take on any road conditions

If resale on 4x4 vs 2wd models are the same, why not just buy a nice used 4x4 and save a bunch of money? Although in areas that have snow at least, I think 4x4s do command a premium over 2wd vehicles and they hold their value pretty well

[TXBuddy]

For me, I found 4x4 with NEW tires was amazing. Once the tires get hard, it's treacherous. 4x4 just helps you accelerate. If you get soft winter tires, would be great. I just don't know how long they stay as soft. Age is the determining factor on hardening with heat as the secondary.

[Holyfenix]

4x4 with all terrain tires, feels good being able to take on any road conditions

If resale on 4x4 vs 2wd models are the same, why not just buy a nice used 4x4 and save a bunch of money? Although in areas that have snow at least, I think 4x4s do command a premium over 2wd vehicles and they hold their value pretty well

Resale is similar but used trucks are through the roof right now. 3 year old F-150 with 50k miles are going for about $7k less than a new one. So almost out of powertrain warranty, probably used exclusively for construction with that many miles. Makes more sense in the long term to just get the new truck, especially with new truck interest rates having 0% every few months.

[BJoe]

I wouldn’t bother with snow tires unless winters are just that bad. When I had my XJ Cherokee (full time 4wd w/open rear diff), I just ran good all terrains that were designed to channel water. The FWD cars I’ve owned were just on good quality performance all seasons that also were designed to channel water. One thing I would recommend if buying new, get a limited slip differential if available, no matter if it 2wd (FWD or RWD), AWD, 4wd, car or truck.

[engj]

20+ years of Canadian driving. I run 4x4 and winter tires on my vehicle, and AWD and winter tires on the wifes, but we have 5 months of cold and snow for most of it. Swapping the tires is an hour on the driveway with an electric impact and a floor jack once you are good at it.

Like other people said for winter driving good winter compound tires are more important than 4x4, but for 5x a year? Id probably go 4x4, helps with resale on the truck.

[Schnitzl]

20+ years of Canadian driving. I run 4x4 and winter tires on my vehicle, and AWD and winter tires on the wifes, but we have 5 months of cold and snow for most of it. Swapping the tires is an hour on the driveway with an electric impact and a floor jack once you are good at it.

Like other people said for winter driving good winter compound tires are more important than 4x4, but for 5x a year? Id probably go 4x4, helps with resale on the truck.

This. It's not really a hassle, Canada, Northern EU & North Russia do it every winter. You don't need some special vacuum sealed fairy dust ingrained containers. Just throw them in the corner of your garage after swapping. People who have never tried winter tires have no idea how much difference they make. The compound is different and you'll wear out your summer ones much faster if it gets cold. OTOH 5 days a year i'd yolo into a 4x4 ayy.