Using 4wd to slow down
I was reading the last issue of trailer life, the article a couple wrote about looking for a new truck. In the article they said that when going down a step grade they will put their truck in 4wd low ...
Forum Discussion
wing_zealot wrote:wnjj wrote:I would advise anyone not to follow this advise on any dry pavement. But your choice, you get to pay the repair bill not me.
Where did it say they switched to 4-low on the fly, or on the highway? There's nothing wrong with using 4-low for the gearing on gravel or dirt forest roads or a steep driveway. Using it to back a trailer uphill into a steep driveway or spot is much better on the transmission too. A small amount of movement on pavement shouldn't break anything, especially if not turning.
I did say small movement. Agree that it's your choice but I'd rather repair a u-joint than rebuild a transmission. That said, I've never heard of anyone actually breaking one doing this but have heard of cooked transmissions backing trailers up. YMMV.
