Does anyone tow in 4WD in the rain

PSUFan1 · 10-18-2013, 06:50 AM

We did a final trip of the season this past weekend and it was raining Friday night and on a back country road I was drive up a steep hill and all the sudden the rear tires of my TV slipped making the rear end of my TV a bit squirrelly. After my heart nearly jump out of my chest, I put the truck in 4WD the rest of the way to the CG but was wondering if anyone puts their vehicle in 4WD in the rain. I realize I probably have a lighter vehicle than most and there might have been some bounce going up the hill that might have cause the rear tires to slip. Thoughts?

Toby · 10-18-2013, 06:57 AM

I once put my tundra in 4WD trying to get into the crystal mine down in Arkansas. At the time I was pulling a scorpion with a 1500 gold wing on it. The hill was very steep with gravel and free ruts. Towards the top I was losing my momentum and starting to slip. I kicked it into 4WD on the way up. I have never had to use it since.

lswartz · 10-18-2013, 07:02 AM

That seems like a really good solution to me. It might not be a light rear end as some tires are not real good in rain or they could just be nearly worn out. I would not tow 4x4 unless conditions similar to yours dictate it. I use 4x4 to pull my TT off the grass where it is parked after a rain or heavy dew & then switch to 2 wheel drive.

John4th · 10-18-2013, 07:10 AM

Only if I had a lot of tire spin.

Patches · 10-18-2013, 08:03 AM

Yep, I sure have. It's a last resort for me, and I always try to plan a head so as not to have to use it. That said, old mother nature has caught me a few times by surprise. Rain has never been much of an issue, but snow, and ice was when there was no place to pull off the road to wait it out. I was once caught 30 miles east of Boise when a storm got there earlier than expected. Took a little more than hour to get to Boise. Lots of folks were having wrecks on the slick freeway surface. I had to stop a few times, and it took 4WD to get moving again. There were a few occasions when off pavement on some dirt roads I have had to use the extra traction. Probably less than 100 miles in 7 years I have had to throw the switch to get where I was going. I am never in a hurry, and pulling off the road when conditions get bad is my normal routine.

camper1999 · 10-18-2013, 08:27 AM

If you have a heavy duty truck I would not do it, it is unnecessary and will put a strain on your drivetrain. But if you have a truck with awd that is different it is meant to be engaged all the time at any speed. The only time I use mine while towing is at low speed on rocky hilly terrain.

**ependydad** · 10-18-2013, 08:31 AM

Not usually- but almost getting stuck in the mud this past July 4th- I was happy for it.

Rugged Brown · 10-18-2013, 08:35 AM

I would only use 4WD when you have lost traction. Keeping it in 4WD is unnecessary. I have only used it when pulling my fiver out of my backyard when the grass is slippery.

force · 10-18-2013, 08:40 AM

Have not had to use it in rain before, but I do use 4WD whenever I'm pulling the camper in someone's yard (we do a fair amount of of yard camping at friends & family homes), or if I hit a long dirt road.

While not always necessary, I like to make sure everything works. In fact I usually test out my 4WD at least every couple months.

I've known a couple guys that hadn't used their 4WD in years, and when they really needed it, they find their actuator had seized up so they couldn't get the front axle to engage.

Just don't drive down dry tar.

jbrostek · 10-18-2013, 09:16 AM

If you are having traction issues, why not. The transmission, transfer case and rear end is handling the pulling load every day, engaging 4WD means the rear axle takes less of the load and you gain more traction due to it. Same thing with being in yards, I use it just to avoid the chance of digging up the yard if there where a chance to slip.

MtnGuy · 10-18-2013, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

I would only use 4WD when you have lost traction. Keeping it in 4WD is unnecessary. I have only used it when pulling my fiver out of my backyard when the grass is slippery.

I tend to agree with RB on this 1. If I were having traction problems, then I would use 4WD, but not before. Using a part time 4WD system without enough slippage is very hard on the drive train.

DisDad1, if you are using a WDH, have you been done the fender measurements or gone across some scales with your combo ?? Too much weight distributed the front axle and too much taken off of the rear axle could contribute to lose of traction.

bogey60 · 10-18-2013, 09:45 AM

I use 4x4 any time there is a chance of losing traction. Rain, snow, ice, dirt. It's harder on your drive train when you lose traction and then re-gain it. The wheels spin fast and then jerk to a slower speed as you re-gain your momentum putting increased pressure on the DT.
I have never broken anything using this approach..

PSUFan1 · 10-18-2013, 10:18 AM

MtnGuy, I do use a WDH and have done the fender measurements and they are in good shape. It might have been a one time thing but wanted to ask the question. Seems like the response is that many do not use 4WD but in a scenario of where I think I might need more traction, put it on.

Thanks for all the responses.

RPAspey · 10-18-2013, 12:28 PM

I have, but only to get into/out of my site. Then again, I mostly boondock or dry camp.

I did have my truck-camper stuck to the axles! It's a long story...for another day. Anyways I had to ask a friend who's a farmer to use his huge 4x4 tractor to pull me and the camper out of the mud!

MtnGuy · 10-19-2013, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogey60

It's harder on your drive train when you lose traction and then re-gain it. The wheels spin fast and then jerk to a slower speed as you re-gain your momentum putting increased pressure on the DT.

Excellent point !!

Prothos · 10-19-2013, 09:24 AM

Wish I had 4x4 right now. We have been getting random heavy showers. Back yard has standing water and can't get TT out if I needed it.

tipakajohn · 10-19-2013, 09:32 AM

Tim,
Same thing when we went this past weekend in South Jersey. I left the Trailblazer in A4WD but still had a few times a stop lights where the rear wheels were spinning without a heavy foot on the pedal. Another reason I hate towing in the dark when it is raining...but sometimes you got to do it.

Ford Idaho · 10-19-2013, 09:34 AM

I have not.
I swapped out the Continental tires that my PU came with for Cooper Discover ATP's.
I can still turn them over but not for as long.

DDC · 10-19-2013, 09:40 AM

Does your envoy not have a select position for AWD? then the traction control takes over and works great, I had a trail blazer a few years ago and had to go through a period of ice and snow while towing and it handled it very well, you could feel it losing traction but it corrected a lot quicker than I could have.

MillerTime · 10-19-2013, 07:48 PM

As a gm tech I see no issues with what you did.
I personally have done much worse. We have lots of sand in my area, being close to a river bottom and I have to use 4wd all the time with my diesel trucks. I have on at least 2 occasions gone about 20 miles in 4-high on my duramax, pulling equipment(around 10k lb with trailer and equipment) and have had no issues. ( on dry pavement) Last time was about 3 years ago. And on many more occasions I have but in 4wd for getting around in pastures or in snow, etc pulling 8-10k lb in 4wd.
Granted yours is a little lighter settup, but if you are with in specs. You sould be fine, unless you get crazy.
They are not designed to pull say, 8k in 2wd but only 4k in 4wd that would be insane. Trust me we live in oil and farm/ ranch country and if you couldnt tow something in 4wd you might as well not bother making it! Me and lots of others around have been giving 4x4s he// for years and there are very few issues- unless your talking 4x4 competitions. ie -mud pits, drags or river runs.

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