Luckily, my f250 4x4 also has posi in the rear, which means that, for the most part, I often leave the front hubs unlocked and stick it in 4lo. I also carry a set of cable chains, but haven't had to use 'em yet and if I need BOTH 4x4 and chains to get where I'm going.. I ain't going there. I'm tempted to get a camper/step van and either install a 'lunchbox' locker or swap in a posi rear end (if it doesn't have one already). I DEFINITELY wouldn't want a non-posi/locker rear axle. In fact, years ago, I had a rather embarrassing situation arise wherein I was 'stuck' in a hard-packed dirt driveway having parked with 2 diagonal tires on a bit of a rise.. the van just sat there with the offloaded rear tire spinning merrily away.
With posi and chains, I could go near anywhere, tho chaining up in mud, then removing/storing them afterwards can be an incredibly messy and frustrating experience. As an aside, I had a '90 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 that blew the rear diff (totally munched) and managed to get around for a week by removing the rear driveshaft and, with 4x4 engaged, just using the front diff. ..Willy.
