Four Wheel Drive?

[toolman22ia]

Originally Posted by clutch

It is easy to get the tranny fluid hot when backing a trailer. By using 4x4 lo you change the gear ratio so the tranny isn't working as hard. I have a temperature gauge on my transmission and it will climb quickly when jockeying the trailer in reverse. I don't think that reverse is geared as low as first gear in an automatic.

I agree, sometimes when backing in 4 lo, you barely even need to touch the gas. Makes a huge difference.

[Derek700]

I seen a 2wd Ranger PU stuck on a paved wet hill one time. No load at all. 4wd is a good option to have, for the simple reasons as listed above.

[av8arkie]

Originally Posted by clutch

It is easy to get the tranny fluid hot when backing a trailer. By using 4x4 lo you change the gear ratio so the tranny isn't working as hard. I have a temperature gauge on my transmission and it will climb quickly when jockeying the trailer in reverse. I don't think that reverse is geared as low as first gear in an automatic.

Reverse is the lowest gear by far in my truck.

Allison 1000
Type : six-speed automatic
with Duramax 6.6L
Gear ratios
First: 3.10
Second: 1.81
Third: 1.41
Fourth: 1.00
Fifth: 0.71
Sixth: 0.61
Reverse: 4.49

[altar1]

Talked to a friend of mine today, a 40 year professional mechanic. He says backing in 4 low while turning and jockying your trailer into a spot is a good way to tear up all kinds of things in a truck. He was flabbergasted that anyone would recomend such a stunt unless one needed it because of snow or ice. This guy knows his stuff, and also pulls a 28 ft trailer. I'll take his word for it.

Tom

[toolman22ia]

Everyone is entitled to they`re opinion. If my rear tires are spinning im using 4wheel drive. Ive never tore anything up using 4 lo ever. I think the only way you would tear anything up is if you were on pavement and you dont need 4wheel drive on pavement. Ive driven cheverolet all my life also, cant speak for the other trucks,and wouldnt own one.

[altar1]

Originally Posted by toolman22ia

Everyone is entitled to they`re opinion. If my rear tires are spinning im using 4wheel drive. Ive never tore anything up using 4 lo ever. I think the only way you would tear anything up is if you were on pavement and you dont need 4wheel drive on pavement. Ive driven cheverolet all my life also, cant speak for the other trucks,and wouldnt own one.

Maybe I misunderstood. I was assuming you were on pavement. Other than dry camping, most of the campgrounds we have been to are paved. I still wouldn't do it, though. Too many parts with too much stress on them all locked up in 4 lo turning sharply doesn't sound good.

Tom

[av8arkie]

4 high is no better on dry, solid surfaces than 4 lo! No amount of turning in 4WD, lo or high, on dry solid surfaces will be good for your driveline! Just sayin!

[edatlanta]

x2. But on anything other than dry pavement where a tire can slip, it won't hurt a thing. Now I wouldn't do it all the time, but that is what you have 4x4 for.

[altar1]

Just thinking about it..... I had a two wheel drive for many years. Never had a tranny overheating issue jockying my trailers into a space...

Tom

[clutch]

I can't ever recall being stuck on a hard surface like pavement. I only use 4 lo on soft surfaces or if going straight back. You can get most trucks to operate in lo range and two wheel drive with some wiring and a switch. A member of the NorthWest Bombers had made up a kit for Dodges to use 2 lo.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by altar1

Just thinking about it..... I had a two wheel drive for many years. Never had a tranny overheating issue jockying my trailers into a space...

Tom

Are you sure? Do you have a tranny temp gauge? You would be surprised how fast the heat will come up especially if you are jockeying a trailer up hill in reverse.

[av8arkie]

I have one and mine doesnt move.

[altar1]

Originally Posted by clutch

Are you sure? Do you have a tranny temp gauge? You would be surprised how fast the heat will come up especially if you are jockeying a trailer up hill in reverse.

Yes, it had a tranny temp gauge. It went up very little when jockying for position. Word I get is that if it did, there could be other tranny issues already, but that word is NOT from a professional mechanic, so take it for what is worth.

Tom

[toolman22ia]

Put it this way. 4wd is great if you need it. If you dont need it then you dont have to use it. I wouldnt consider a truck without 4wd here in sw iowa. If i were in the south and only stayed at paved grounds then maybe a 2 wheeler would do. I bought my truck and my camper to use. sometimes you cant even get to the spots we camp without 4wd. No road no water(other than for fishing)and no electricity except for a generator. Im stickin with 4wd.

[Seann45]

Gibby I am from Sask Canada and only use 4x4 when playing or exercising it... waste of fuel having it esp is you have posi trac.
Seann

[cekkk]

We live on an unpaved road in central Colorado at 9k elevation, so 4 wheel drives are a must. You're in Canada, right, not CA? Pulling or not, I doubt you'd ever regret going 4wd. But you sure would regret not getting one the first time you need it.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by cekkk+

We live on an unpaved road in central Colorado at 9k elevation, so 4 wheel drives are a must. You're in Canada, right, not CA? Pulling or not, I doubt you'd ever regret going 4wd. But you sure would regret not getting one the first time you need it.

I now winter in Ca.. have had a 4x4 since '04 it has just cost me fuel... towed through blizzards in the mtns, towed people out of the ditch... never needed the 4x

[toolman22ia]

Your truck must be something special. I sometimes cant even get up my driveway without 4wd. I sure as hell couldnt pull thru a blizzard without it, and the only way i could pull someone out of the ditch without 4wd is if i were on dry pavement. Backing my camper up an incline on gravel is almost impossible as well as everyone i know around here. So ether your truck is far superior to mine or you you are a much better driver than me. I raced stockcars for 15yrs and pulled all over the country, ive needed 4 wd several times. It maay use a small amount more fuel but do you buy a tow vehicle for milage? All i can say is you just must be better than me.

[FPM III]

I don't know the reason why, but my 09 GMC has much better traction in 2WD than my 96 Ford F-250 ever did. The powertrain difference between the two is the Ford was a PowerStroke with a 5sp manual and 4.10 limited slip differential. The GMC is a Duramax/Allison with a 3.73 locking differential. The GMC is equipped with GM's Stabilitrak and traction control. Rarely have I ever seen the indicator lights come on for when these features engage while driving in slippery conditions. Therefore, I don't consider them a factor for the overall improvement in 2WD traction.

My driveway is so steep that when it's slippery, I've actually had trucks slide back out into the street after I've parked and gone inside the house. Part of the problem was that they were 2WD and only the rear wheels were holding the vehicle. Just getting up the driveway itself can be challenge when it's snow covered. Often times, I have to clean and treat the driveway before I could get the truck up it. With the GMC in 4WD, I've yet to have any problems getting up the driveway, no matter what its condition is. I leave it in 4WD when I park it as that locks up all four wheels, thus greatly reducing the possibility of it sliding back out into street.

[av8arkie]

Originally Posted by FPM III

I don't know the reason why, but my 09 GMC has much better traction in 2WD than my 96 Ford F-250 ever did. The powertrain difference between the two is the Ford was a PowerStroke with a 5sp manual and 4.10 limited slip differential. The GMC is a Duramax/Allison with a 3.73 locking differential. The GMC is equipped with GM's Stabilitrak and traction control. Rarely have I ever seen the indicator lights come on for when these features engage while driving in slippery conditions. Therefore, I don't consider them a factor for the overall improvement in 2WD traction.

My driveway is so steep that when it's slippery, I've actually had trucks slide back out into the street after I've parked and gone inside the house. Part of the problem was that they were 2WD and only the rear wheels were holding the vehicle. Just getting up the driveway itself can be challenge when it's snow covered. Often times, I have to clean and treat the driveway before I could get the truck up it. With the GMC in 4WD, I've yet to have any problems getting up the driveway, no matter what its condition is. I leave it in 4WD when I park it as that locks up all four wheels, thus greatly reducing the possibility of it sliding back out into street.

Locking rear end makes a huge difference in traction!