truck and trailer total loss due to black ice

colliehauler wrote:

Rbertalotto wrote:

4 wheel drive can be used at any time, on any road conditions, whether the conditions warrant it's use or not. No damage or harm will come to the vehicle for using 4 wheel drive, ever. I have learned that when using 4 wheel drive, it just feel more comfortable to run slower.

This is terrible advise. If the 4 wheel drive vehicle does not have a center differential, you can not operate it on dry roads. As you turn, the front left wheel and the rear right wheel will be traveling at much different speeds. If the tires don't break free of road traction, the transmission, universal joints, half-shafts, etc will experience serious abuse. You may lock the whole system up and not be able to shift out of 4WD. A very light weight Jeep or other 4WD vehicle will simply spin the rear tire. But a heavy tow vehicle, especially with the weight of a trailer on the rear axle and lots of torque and horse power will break something.

Only vehicles with "Full Time" four wheel drive can be operated on dry surfaces in 4WD. These vehicles have some type of differential in the transfer case to allow such operation.

Have to agree with RBERTALOTTO on this. AWD will do fine on dry.

My only advise would be to slow down in adverse conditions. Glad you were not hurt. I watch the weather before I leave and try to pick nice weather. Sometimes a day makes a big difference. I would never expose my RV to road salt willingly.

X3!!
Standard Four Wheel drive is a NOT on DRY pavement, if wet enough i could be ok, but still iffy.
We almost extended our New Years trip to the Oregon Coast by a day due to icy conditions in the coast range, waited until noon to head home. I don't like ice at all, snow I will deal with, not ice.

To the OP, glad you and DW are OK, BUT what were you thinking driving 65 on cold wet roads, REALLY!!!!:S