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Old 07-29-2017, 08:38 AM   #1
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Pulling TT w/4x4?

For those who have a 4x4 do you pull your TT using your TV in 4x4 mode or do you keep it in 4x2 mode?

I have a Ford FX4 and reading the manual I can drive in all 4 mode at normal speeds so I started thinking it might be helpful in pulling the TT.

If the WDH puts weight back to the front would it make sense to drive in 4x4 mode?

Has anyone done this and what are the pros and cons?
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Old 07-29-2017, 08:49 AM   #2
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I only use 4wd when needed. If the "all 4 mode" which it probably still in 2wd unless the system detects wheel slippage, which would then engage the front axle. At least that is how the GM "4 Auto" mode works.

There is a chance if it works like the GM 4 auto, the transfer case is engaged, which results in slightly lower gas mileage. How it would impact the mileage while towing is hard to say since towing a rolling brick is bad enough.
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Old 07-29-2017, 08:50 AM   #3
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4 x 2 mode unless I need 4 x 4.
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Old 07-29-2017, 08:53 AM   #4
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We have pulled various sized TTs, most recently a 34ft Puma and have never towed in 4 wheel drive. IMHO, it is a waste of gas and not necessary to towing a TT.
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Old 07-29-2017, 09:04 AM   #5
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I have used 4x4 once in a sketchy looking trail leading to the campground. Otherwise it's always 4x2.

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Old 07-29-2017, 09:11 AM   #6
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Agree with using 4X2 mode The only time I need to use 4X4 is when I am in the storage area when the grass is Very wet
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Old 07-29-2017, 09:13 AM   #7
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With the tongue weight of your trailer on your truck, you will have all the traction you will need except for really low traction situations like mud, soft soil, steep hills and so on.
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Old 07-29-2017, 09:17 AM   #8
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Towing, I have used 4x4 a few times just to help ensure I didn't have a problem on questionable surfaces (ie wet grass, loose stones). I've never used it at towing over the road.

I use 4x4, too, when parking my TT next to the house; backing up hill on loose stones.
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Old 07-29-2017, 09:49 AM   #9
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Quote:
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Towing, I have used 4x4 a few times just to help ensure I didn't have a problem on questionable surfaces (ie wet grass, loose stones). I've never used it at towing over the road.

I use 4x4, too, when parking my TT next to the house; backing up hill on loose stones.
This....
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Old 07-29-2017, 10:08 AM   #10
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Always tow highway speeds in 2WD. You can tow in 4WD, but I wouldn't recommend it. Works the front hubs and transfer case way too hard. Not to mention it uses more fuel. There's a lot of plastic in the front hubs that can't handle highway speeds. And transfer case would get blood red. It's mainly geared for lower speeds on the F Series trucks. I'd say 40-50 mph max.
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Old 07-29-2017, 10:08 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldmanAZ View Post
Towing, I have used 4x4 a few times just to help ensure I didn't have a problem on questionable surfaces (ie wet grass, loose stones). I've never used it at towing over the road.

I use 4x4, too, when parking my TT next to the house; backing up hill on loose stones.
x2, rarely ever use 4 wheel drive when driving down the highway or improved dirt roads unless other extenuating circumstances warrant (snow, ice, rain, mud, etc., call for it)
I get a little extreme with places I am willing to go since I like to hunt and fish a lot (therefore, I boondock a lot), and I have at times utilized 4 wheel low range to creep the TT into place while backing it up at home or elsewhere.

4 wheel drive is there, why not used it?
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Old 07-29-2017, 10:29 AM   #12
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When we had a TT, never used 4X4 on any paved road. Don't recommend it unless you find yourself in a very low traction situation (snowstorm, ice, flash flood, mud). I used 4wd often when towing off road while accessing an open place to boondock and park, or in the rare instance we found ourselves in deep sand on some isolated dirt road in the desert. In short, if you don't need it, don't use it, and never at highway speeds as it severely heats up the transfer case and destroys mileage, not to mention several other potentially damaging results (such as lock-up of the drivetrain caused by slight difference of rpm between front and rear axles).
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Old 07-29-2017, 12:23 PM   #13
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I have a F250 FX4 and have not had to use the 4 wheel drive. We always pull our TT in 2 wheel drive but we don't go places where it is needed. I'm pretty sure your gas mileage will suffer.
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Old 07-29-2017, 12:32 PM   #14
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I have a F250 FX4 and have not had to use the 4 wheel drive. We always pull our TT in 2 wheel drive but we don't go places where it is needed. I'm pretty sure your gas mileage will suffer.
FYI: Do you have 'shift on the fly'? If so, shift into 4wd and low range occasionally. I didn't for a LONG time and when I tried, it wouldn't shift. Thankfully, my mechanic got things moving without having to replace anything. Now I shift into 4wd and low range every few weeks and it has worked great.

Maybe the technology has changed, but mine seems to be a 'Use it or lose it' kind of thing.
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Old 07-29-2017, 12:43 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldmanAZ View Post
FYI: Do you have 'shift on the fly'? If so, shift into 4wd and low range occasionally. I didn't for a LONG time and when I tried, it wouldn't shift. Thankfully, my mechanic got things moving without having to replace anything. Now I shift into 4wd and low range every few weeks and it has worked great.

Maybe the technology has changed, but mine seems to be a 'Use it or lose it' kind of thing.
I do have shift on the fly. I have never tried the 4wd. Thanks for the info and I'll give it a try. Better to find out now.
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Old 07-29-2017, 02:12 PM   #16
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FYI: Do you have 'shift on the fly'? If so, shift into 4wd and low range occasionally. I didn't for a LONG time and when I tried, it wouldn't shift. Thankfully, my mechanic got things moving without having to replace anything. Now I shift into 4wd and low range every few weeks and it has worked great.

Maybe the technology has changed, but mine seems to be a 'Use it or lose it' kind of thing.
This is something every owner of a 4X4 vehicle ought to do. Old or new technology, that system needs to be exercised once in a while, even if it's merely to spread the lube around again. On many modern systems, there are several mechanisms that can get very sticky if they aren't moved once in a while, and that's likely what you experienced. Even on my old CJ5 with a full manual transfer case and full manual hubs, it was a good idea to get it on a dirt road after I had not been using it for a while and just get it all moving around again.
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Old 07-29-2017, 04:13 PM   #17
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Driving in 4X4 on hard surface (asphalt or concrete) is hard on the drive train 4X4 requires the wheels to have some slip. Also you will wear out parts faster and your mileage will suffer.. But YES every so often you need to "exercise" the 4x4 system by using it but personally I would avoid doing that on the highway.. take it on a gravel or sand road.
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Old 07-29-2017, 04:55 PM   #18
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Sometimes if the site is sloped a lot and I have to back the trailer up onto a stack of blocks to level it, I pop the truck into 4x4 low to get a little more torque, making it easier to creep the trailer into place. But normal every day towing, 4x2 with tow/haul mode turned on.
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Old 07-29-2017, 05:05 PM   #19
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I also sometimes use 4LO for pulling heavy boats out of steep launches, or hauling a farm wagon with firewood on it down the road to my place. The gearing is incredible. I only lock it all up if it's a straight line pull or loose surface traction.

There are a couple guys I know that have modified their trucks to include 2LO which is very intriguing. They basically put the truck into 4LO and then block the signal to the front hubs via vacuum or electric so the truck thinks it's in 4LO but the front end is steer only. Genius.
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Old 07-29-2017, 06:31 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dustdevil View Post
When we had a TT, never used 4X4 on any paved road. Don't recommend it unless you find yourself in a very low traction situation (snowstorm, ice, flash flood, mud). I used 4wd often when towing off road while accessing an open place to boondock and park, or in the rare instance we found ourselves in deep sand on some isolated dirt road in the desert. In short, if you don't need it, don't use it, and never at highway speeds as it severely heats up the transfer case and destroys mileage, not to mention several other potentially damaging results (such as lock-up of the drivetrain caused by slight difference of rpm between front and rear axles).
I did it once by accident on this truck. The good people at GM decided it would be a good idea to make the headlight knob and 4wd selector identical and right next to each other. Was towing at 65 and in an attempt to turn on the headlights, I selected 4lo. Thankfully, the truck is smarter than me and didn't make it past 4hi.

I used it once on another truck towing. I was going down a steep grade that was gravel and used 4lo to help me stay slow (5-10mph) without riding the brakes as bad. It was only a few miles, but it helped.

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