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My gas truck is a Dodge Durango, with 4 wheel drive, I paid $2700 at a salvage yard.

Posted By NoleAdjuster on 09 Sep 2012 10:00 AM

I was curious if any adjusters with many years of experience with catastrophe deployment and independent work have found themselves in situations where they actually NEEDED the 4 wheel drive on their truck/vehicle.  Some I have talked with say you never know what kind of road you might have to drive down to get to a claim, especially after a storm and rain.  Others do all their work from a 2 wheel drive van??

I work mostly in the southeast US, I just wanted to hear if real experienced adjusters have found themselves in situations needing 4 wheel drive.  If not, my new truck is going to be 2 wheel drive and get much better gas milage, and be cheaper.  Thanks in advance.

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Over roughly 9 years, NEVER had a reason to consider purchasing a 4WD anything. I have had a Chevy 3/4 ton(2002) with a duramax diesel and an allison transmission(2WD) and two Toyota Tacoma Pre-runners(2006/2012). The Prerunners look like 4WD (4 inch lift and 34's) but are 2WD.

You can do whatever you want,however a truck is a MUST for the average IA (atleast in my opinion) as you will need to have the ability to access most two story risks ( I carry a 24 ft Werner fiberglass extension/an 8 ft. Werner fiberglass A frame and a (HD)ladder rack) You cannot access a two story risk with some cute little giant or whatever garbage that can fit in the trunk of a staff adjusters typical 4 door sedan. Even if they make a 20+ telescoping or retractable/whatever, I wouldn't trust my life on one at that height. Fiberglass extension all the way every day ( even though I have already tipped a 24 ft extension and the result wasn't pretty) Even more important is as an IA CAT, you don't want to be climbing anything that will conduct electricity as most (folding/telescoping/retractable) ladders are aluminum. During CAT's, you will have downed power lines, damaged power masts on roofs and risks like that.

Even if there are times a 4WD would be convenient, it's not worth it

Through the years, and I've seen a lot of 'em, I've found that the only advantage to 4 wheel drive is that you can get stuck really far away from the pavement.

Happy Trails

More important, than 4wd vs 2wd, never ever finance a depreciating asset!

True......a bucket of bolts that gets you from point A to B, but is dependable.  Ain't got to be pretty, but comfortable for you in all ways including financially.

What's up with the clock? My last post says 2:49am, but it's only 9:49pm...almost my bed time.

Posted By Mike Kunze on 13 Sep 2012 10:55 PM
What's up with the clock? My last post says 2:49am, but it's only 9:49pm...almost my bed time.

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I think Roy utilizes Greenwich mean time or universal time on CADO

Haven't you guys heard about the global magnetic field flipping??

Causes all kinds of trouble like clocks running backward, polititions telling the truth, policemen without doughnuts, all kinds of social strife.

I worked fire claims for six weeks in Utah this summer in places you weren't gonna get to without 4 wheel drive.

I've owned a 4WD vehicle for the last 26 years of my life and don't plan to break my habit anytime soon.

Sure they cost more up front, but they are also more in demand when you sell them.

Posted By Rod on 15 Sep 2012 05:19 AM
I worked fire claims for six weeks in Utah this summer in places you weren't gonna get to without 4 wheel drive.

I've owned a 4WD vehicle for the last 26 years of my life and don't plan to break my habit anytime soon.

Sure they cost more up front, but they are also more in demand when you sell them.

Isn't there an expensive upcharge for auto insurance for 4WD? 

"Haven't you guys heard about the global magnetic field flipping??" Does that mean what ever direction I am facing is South now, not North?

Posted By CatAdjusterX on 15 Sep 2012 09:41 PM

Posted By Rod on 15 Sep 2012 05:19 AM
I worked fire claims for six weeks in Utah this summer in places you weren't gonna get to without 4 wheel drive.

I've owned a 4WD vehicle for the last 26 years of my life and don't plan to break my habit anytime soon.

Sure they cost more up front, but they are also more in demand when you sell them.

Isn't there an expensive upcharge for auto insurance for 4WD? 

 

based on the value of the car, it would be more for comp and collision, but not a lot.

not sure why your liability coverage would increase.....

 

If you obey the old financial saw, never finance a depreciating asset, by law you do not have to carry anything other than liability insurance. No need for comprehensive and collision.

Who cares what the law is?

Just because I don't have to finance it, doesn't mean it doesn't have value.

My truck is probably worth about $35,000, based on its current mileage - I'm not up for taking that kind of hit due to a theft loss - that's what insurance is for.....

Posted By Rod on 17 Sep 2012 12:24 PM
Who cares what the law is?

Just because I don't have to finance it, doesn't mean it doesn't have value.

My truck is probably worth about $35,000, based on its current mileage - I'm not up for taking that kind of hit due to a theft loss - that's what insurance is for.....

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I just assumed that being a 4WD, the insurance carriers would be worrisome that someone with a 4WD would actually use it in the arena it was designed for (IE off road) and as such, more risk to the C/C side. As you stated however, it would seem logical that liability shouldn't be affected too much except for maybe the launching of a wayward pooch or passenger out of the passenger seat when you roll it off of Mt. St. Helens(lol)

Over 10 years, I've needed 4 wheel drive 3 times. Not often at all, but when it was needed, I was glad I had it. My $.02

I'm with Larry. I have always paid cash, and have always bought pickups. I have never owned a 4X. Granted, I had an incident next to the St. John's River in Florida in the early 80s that required me calling a tow to get me out of the sand; and the time I parked on a septic field on Mt. Desert Island in Maine and sank two feet (also a tow, two days later).  But other than those incidents, 500,000+ miles later, great tires and a standard transmission have gone a long way, at least for me.

The best truck is one that is paid for! I drive a 2000 Chevy Silverado 5.3 v-8extended cab. I get 15 in the city and 19 on the hi-way.It is a 4wd automatic  by the way, I also have a canopy on it full time with a ladder rack. I can carry whatever is needed for a short or long term storm including my favorite desk chair, 2- 5' fold up light weight tables.. I also carry an assortment of tools for any occasion needed. I have AC, Heated seats, good heater, GPS, am-fm-cd,power source for computer, and camera battery charging.The weather temp guage is important no matter where you are working.

This truck has 226,000 miles on it and uses no oil. I keep it well maintained at all times.New tires

good shocks,good exhaust,rebuilt transmission & transfer case.New brakes all way around,New belts

etc. you can go a long way to keep a p/u running for a lot less than making payments monthly . When I do update I pay cash for my vehicles. I buy premium gas that doesn't have ethanol in it. I also use a Gforce chip and it has given me as much as 3 mpg if I do run the cheaper ethanol gas. The thing with the chip is don't use it if you pull a heavy trailer. The chip leans out the air fuel mixture . Also the chip cost me $75 -one tank of gas.

  When I worked hurricanes there was always sand covered beaches 3'-9' dunes and I had adjusters offering to pay me for my vehicle to get out to their claims. Sorry Charlie. Several times I rented condos other adjusters couldn't get to for $300 a month furnished and lived quite comfortably.Oh yes I was right by my claims too! Not to mention having 4wd for black ice packed snow on roads muddy Accesses. I even have a portable 2000 LB. winch that hooks to the front or rear of the vehicle.

  That little 4wd button on the dash has paid for it self many times and insurance isn't what you would think. I pay $650 a year for full coverage including $100 deductible for comprehensive for theft and other mishaps like the elk that ran into me 4 days ago, Like the time all my equipment got stolen out of my canopy. You need to shop around for insurance coverage every 3 years as your rates go up enough you usually need to switch carriers. This works well if you have no moving violations on your record.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Just a little advise....if you ever get in a place that only 4WD will get you out of, it will be the best money you ever spent!  Plus 4WD are easier to sell.