when to use 4lo while off roading
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 74
Likes: 2
when to use 4lo while off roading
in two weeks I'll be going on a snow-off roading camping trip in northern Ontario its mainly going to consist of fire roads and old mine roads I've never been off roading in the snow before and am curious as to when I should engage 4lo. my truck also has an elocker which I will have turned on as well also when I do engage 4lo how does that effect how fast I can drive in conditions? when I do get stuck can I mat the throttle like I would in 4 hi or be more reserved?
I've never used 4lo for anything other than pulling boats out the water so any advise you guys can give would be greatly appreciated.
I'm currently rounding up supplies so far I have
1. recovery straps
2.shovels
3.kitty litter
4.wood (2×4s)
5.tool kit
6.jack
anything else I should look into getting
I've never used 4lo for anything other than pulling boats out the water so any advise you guys can give would be greatly appreciated.
I'm currently rounding up supplies so far I have
1. recovery straps
2.shovels
3.kitty litter
4.wood (2×4s)
5.tool kit
6.jack
anything else I should look into getting
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,024
Likes: 1,519
From: Maine, Virginia
I've only used 4lo to recover stuck trucks in the mud. Never in the snow so no help here.
To suggest additions to your list:
Blankets
Lighters
Flashlights
Batteries
Bottled water
Packaged granola or energy bars
Will you need chains?
To suggest additions to your list:
Blankets
Lighters
Flashlights
Batteries
Bottled water
Packaged granola or energy bars
Will you need chains?
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 424
Likes: 2
I would say it depends on the speed you're able to travel in the trails. I'm not sure what the max speed in 4 low is but I would think less than 40mph. I personally wouldn't think matting the throttle in low range would be a good thing but maybe I'm just over cautious. If I wanted to mat it I would stick with high range.
Just my thoughts.
Just my thoughts.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 74
Likes: 2
I picked up a sleeping bag rated to -50 extra blankets to line the bed and some hot packs to keep my feet warm at night. lighters and road flares are already in my tool kit.
I doubt I'll need chains, I'm running BFG KO2 tires and so far they have be great in deep snow and plow mounds and one of the trucks that is going is a trail prep raptor with a winch so I think we're good for recovery.
most of the trails were running are old fire roads and mine/maintenance roads. my buddies who off road quite regularly rate them as a 2 on a 1-5 scale of difficulty.
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Perry, Utah
Do you have your truck lifted? When I do light off roading I feel like sitting too low and the truck being too long. A Jeep Wrangler climbs like a goat in comparison.
I do have the skid plates on mine but I am still very cautious.
I do have the skid plates on mine but I am still very cautious.
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
i use four low almost all the time with 355 gearing and 40 inch tires offroad. if i had better gearing i would use 4 hi more
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,411
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From: Central KY
Using 4-high in deep snow on trails will cause trans temps to rise so keep an eye on those guages. I use 4-low always because we don't drive fast offroad here...we have tight, twisty, snow and mud covered trails. No need to go fast so I use low range to take stress off the drivetrain.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
Using 4-high in deep snow on trails will cause trans temps to rise so keep an eye on those guages. I use 4-low always because we don't drive fast offroad here...we have tight, twisty, snow and mud covered trails. No need to go fast so I use low range to take stress off the drivetrain.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 619
Likes: 6
From: Steeler Country
http://cdn.dealereprocess.com/cdn/se.../2014-f150.pdf
More important offroading is traction control and turning it off at times, like before you get stuck. It allows the wheels to spin
Page 164 on above link.
Page 165 is stability- semi important slow speed off road.
Chart 166 most important to know what mode your in...
Page 151 for the multiple types of 4x4 systems..
Page 159 for you locking rear axle....but remember it disengages above 25mph in 4x2 and 4x4 hi. BUT in 4x4 lo is stays engaged 62mph!!!
L range 4x4 also helps the engine cool in high temp sand operations. Actually recommended bottom of page 155.
More important offroading is traction control and turning it off at times, like before you get stuck. It allows the wheels to spin
Page 164 on above link.
Page 165 is stability- semi important slow speed off road.
Chart 166 most important to know what mode your in...
Page 151 for the multiple types of 4x4 systems..
Page 159 for you locking rear axle....but remember it disengages above 25mph in 4x2 and 4x4 hi. BUT in 4x4 lo is stays engaged 62mph!!!
L range 4x4 also helps the engine cool in high temp sand operations. Actually recommended bottom of page 155.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
4 wheel low is for pulling power and climbing steep grades. 4 wheel high should be sufficiant for most every other off road driving. If you feel you need to use 4WL, put it in 4WH first, then in neutral and while not moving, put it in 4WL. Read the manual, but i think top speed is limited to no more than 35 mph or so.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 74
Likes: 2
we're expecting about a foot of snow or so the area were going to isn't a snow belt or affected by lake effect. it's just very far north and bloody cold the temp on the weekend was -31c before the wind chill.... hopfully it's nowhere near that cold when we go. that being said my concern was plowing through the snow and frozen muskeg in 4hi or 4lo and what would be better to use in this terrain... I find the owners manual to be a sort of general guideline of how the systems work but not a diffinitive answer on how to use them the most effective way.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 74
Likes: 2
Using 4-high in deep snow on trails will cause trans temps to rise so keep an eye on those guages. I use 4-low always because we don't drive fast offroad here...we have tight, twisty, snow and mud covered trails. No need to go fast so I use low range to take stress off the drivetrain.
thanks a lot... perfect info and tips