You can "get by" with a 2WD truck in bad weather areas. I had a 2WD Chevy pickup as my first car when I lived in NH. I just put a couple bags of sand in the back, and was good to go for the most part. That said, it was pretty embarrassing when you're trying to get going in the snow, and you just sit there and spin while everybody's trying to go around you... If you're towing alot and live in an area that never see's snow, a 2WD truck might be for you... If you ever want to go skiing or off-roading on anything other than a dirt road, get the 4WD. You won't regret it.

 

Tough choice if 97%+ of your driving is on pavement. The 4x4 downsides are: costs more, may be less reliable (really just more to break), heavier, worse gas mileage, harsher ride (usually).

The 4x4 usually rides higher and that's something I like in trucks (seeing over traffic).

I like 6sigma's note, "4wd get you stuck further in the woods." Too true, unless you're like some of the Jeep nuts I know who bring welding equipment with 'em!

 

I debated between 4x2 and 4x4 Silverado. I would get the LS (mid level trim) 4x4 or LT (pimp daddy trim, all the interior goodies!!) 4x2.

Since, I live in Dallas and my brother and dad have 4x4 Chevy vehicles and they can count on one hand the number of times they've need it, I decided to get the pimp daddy 4x2 since I would use all the interior goodies much more than the 4 wheel drive.

The 4x2 also is a touch quicker, gets better gas mileage, rides better, and will be more maintenance free down the road.

I'm happy with my decision to get the 4x2.

 

Come hang out with me in Texas for a few days.