CakeHenn
Temple, TX
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Joined: 01/28/2012
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I've only used 4WD twice in my limited time having a TT. Both times were at my father in laws ranch where I stored it before I had a pad built at the house. I was storing it in a field and to get out you had to go up a sloped grassy area. A few times I picked it up it had rained recently. One time I didnt really need 4wd but used it more because I didnt want to tear up the grass as much...the other time was a little more sporty but I probably didnt need it there either. I've heard of people getting stuck in 2wd on gravel areas so it's nice to have the 4wd option but I see no need to use it while driving HW speeds.
TT: 2013 Jayco Eagle 314
Truck: 2006 GMC 2500HD Duramax
Duck Gun: Benelli Super Black Eagle II
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B.O. Plenty
Minnesota
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Joined: 02/04/2010
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Tell your friend to start saving his money for the new transfer case he's going to need. No advantage at all in towing in 4wd.
B.O.
2011 Big Country 3250TS...2010 Ram CC Laramie 4wd Cummins
15k Super Glide, Firestone Ride Rite, TrailAir Tri-Glide
Michelin XPS Ribs. Just say no to Chinese tires.
Twin Cities Mn.
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chracatoa
Seattle
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Joined: 05/01/2012
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PUCampin wrote:WOW! Why are most of you assuming the OP's friend is talking about 4WD with a locked transfer case? I took the OP's post to specifically mean 4WD with an unlockd transfer case.
Of course, that's what I meant. Also, out of curiosity I called Toyota and they said I can tow in high speeds with 4wd HI.
He did show me the 4HI once with a trailer and it felt better but who knows. I knew nothing about towing then (not that I know much now).
2011 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 5.7L V8 (next will be a 3/4, someday)
2012 Jayco Flight Swift 267BHS (5963lbs dry, 6650 wet)
Propride hitch (I had a Reese dual cam round bar WDH for 4 months)
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usmc616
Orange County, New York
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Joined: 09/29/2009
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Had 19" of snow last Holloween while camping. Used 4wd Hi to get out of the unplowed campground. Once we were on paved roads that were plowed I used 2wd the rest of the way.
SEMPER FI
Joe,Joyce 4 kids & 3 dogs
2004 Ford Excursion LTD 4x4 V-10 3.73 Gears, Hellwig Swaybar, Bilstein Shocks & Steering Stabilizer, Roadmaster Active Suspension, Super Duty Tow Mirrors
Reese Dual Cam & Prodigy Brake Controller
2010 Jayco G2 32BHDS.
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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chracatoa wrote:PUCampin wrote:WOW! Why are most of you assuming the OP's friend is talking about 4WD with a locked transfer case? I took the OP's post to specifically mean 4WD with an unlockd transfer case.
Of course, that's what I meant. Also, out of curiosity I called Toyota and they said I can tow in high speeds with 4wd HI.
He did show me the 4HI once with a trailer and it felt better but who knows. I knew nothing about towing then (not that I know much now).
“So a friend of mine sometimes uses 4wd with unlocked differential to have more stability while towing. What are your thoughts on that? “
Nothing has changed the answer is still the same… NO…
4WD surely has its advantages and its disadvantages but stability isn’t generally one of those advantages…
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
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ExRocketScientist
Laurel, MD
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Joined: 11/11/2010
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There is no magic to 4wd. About the only thing it does is give you more traction for going. The only way it gives you more traction for slowing down is if you are slowing down by way of engine braking.
I wish people in my area would learn that. They think the 4wd means they can go 70 mph on a snowy road. And this is not a rant from a non 4wd owner either. Everything I have ever bought was 4wd. I have had 4 different Ford 4wd setups on five different Fords since 1986; still have two of them.
From what I have seen, a Saturn with the traction control driven by a guy who grew up in Columbus Ohio was almost as capable as the 1986 Ranger 4x4 I had with the OEM Firestone "street" all season tires on it.
ERS
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PUCampin
Castaic
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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JN_B wrote:My mileage when driving in the winter with 4auto drops dramatically compared to 2wd in the winter. I'd hate to see your MPG towing in 4auto.
Towing in winter, I'd consider using 4auto, But even then, driving to conditions is best.
I can't speak to GM's system, but Ford claimed the 2Hi mode could increase the Expy's MPG by 1/2 a MPG over 4Auto. Not much difference there. Driving style and environment play a much bigger part in MPG than 2Hi vs 4Auto. Towing even more so. There is no way to control conditions enough for me to say towing in 4Auto garners less MPG than 2Hi.
* This post was
edited 05/17/12 11:17am by PUCampin *
2007 Expedition EL 4x4 Tow pkg
1981 Palomino Pony, the PopUp (Sold)
2006 Pioneer 180CK (No more PUcampin!)
Me DW and the 3 in 3 
DD 2006, DS  2007, DD  2008
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phillyg
Front Royal, VA
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Joined: 04/24/2002
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hmknightnc wrote:Does nothing for stability and adds wear and tear to drive train. IMHO not a good idea
x2
2002 Keystone Cougar 286, 8,400lbs loaded, pulled with a 2004 F150 Supercrew, 5.4, 3.73 gears. Retired and enjoying life
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bartlettj
Forest Grove, OR
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PUCampin wrote:JN_B wrote:My mileage when driving in the winter with 4auto drops dramatically compared to 2wd in the winter. I'd hate to see your MPG towing in 4auto.
Towing in winter, I'd consider using 4auto, But even then, driving to conditions is best.
I can't speak to GM's system, but Ford claimed the 2Hi mode could increase the Expy's MPG by 1/2 a MPG over 4Auto. Not much difference there. Driving style and environment play a much bigger part in MPG than 2Hi vs 4Auto. Towing even more so. There is no way to control conditions enough for me to say towing in 4Auto garners less MPG than 2Hi.
GM has a couple of different systems for the Tahoe and Suburban. The most common one is a 4 auto mode that locks up the front axle and has a fast clutch in the transfer case that can grab on demand. This is designed to be able to be used all the time but it does affect fuel economy a little because when the mode is engaged the front diff is spinning. 2H mode locks out the front diff and gets you a bit better fuel economy. The other type (Stabilitrak) does have full time 4wd with a center diff but it doesn't have a way to lock it into 2wd mode as far as I know. I've never towed in anything other than 2wd on dry pavement, but I've used Auto 4wd in the rain and on gravel and not noticed any changes in stability.
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chracatoa
Seattle
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Joined: 05/01/2012
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oops wrong thread! Please ignore.
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