Towing - Stay in RWD or change to 4WD?

1320Fastback wrote:
I don't tow with it but my 4x4 off-road truck I leave in 2wd until I'm stuck. More fun that way.

I wish there was a "Like" button, this made me laugh....

4WD high is usually limited to 40 to 45 max. Any faster can cause damage. Read your manual. It should tell you.

4WD low is going to rev up the engine a lot sooner.

I don't tow with it but my 4x4 off-road truck I leave in 2wd until I'm stuck. More fun that way.

Been cover and happy camping.

I use 4WD Auto often on my Expy and have NO issues, wet or DRY. Only in 4WD high or 4WD low is there a problem on completely dry pavement, you will know when your drivetrain starts "popping". I tow almost exclusively in 2WD. but in rain or snow I will use 4WD Automatic. In a campground often times I will switch to 4WD Auto, especially in gravel or grass ... it makes a big positive difference.

MikeJulieGDImagine wrote:
Our tow vehicle is a 2013 Expedition EL and it has an option for 2WD, 4WD Auto, 4WD High, or 4WD low.

Could be that 4WD Auto would be OK and act like AWD.
Need to read the manual for best answers.

Still best to go 2WD unless off pavement or you lose traction.

If you have 4wd high, it's likely using clutches to engage only on slippage. Rule of thumb is just don't do it unless you have an auto option. Chain driven systems lock the front axle, and even rear. When you turn the wheels spin at the same speed, when your inner tire does a circle the outer tire travels a longer distance, it takes more turning to do the same distance , so it needs a different speed, or, it needs to slip on top of the concrete to match the inner tire. If the road is not wet it can't slip, so it will to chirp chirp chirp. It will feel bumpy. Extreme turning can cause sliding , and as other have said, break a gear , or worse , the drive shaft itself. If you're truly interested , watch some YouTube videos.

I'm confused

Depends on type of transfer case and diffs. 4WD auto can be ran year round without issues on the Expys with their ContolTrac. If you have the added Advancetrac you get the 4-wheel electronic traction control system and the roll stability control.

I keep my Jeep Cherokee in 4WD full time all winter dry or wet. Full time 4WD creates an open transfer case where 4WD part time will mechanically lock the front and rear axle and is only used for deep snow or mud where all 4 tires will be able to slip.

I always thought the binding that you experience in 4WD on pavement was something to do with the diffs fighting each other through their connection to each other but now I'm not so sure.
My truck had an issue with a noisy U-joint and when I was trying to narrow doen the noise, I removed my rear drive shaft and drove it in 4WD - so basically it was front wheel drive. It drove just as it does when ever it's in 4WD with the shaft in place on a hard dry surface. It would bind in turns and had serious torque steer. It was a very odd sensation, worse than if the back was helping.