Part time 4 wheel
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Topic: Part time 4 wheel
Posted By: mjlrpod
Subject: Part time 4 wheel
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2016 at 7:06am
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Hey all The tow vehicle search continues. i,m pretty set on a tacoma with a tow package im looking at. One possible problem , i need some help with this. It has PART TIME 4 wheel drive. I know little to nothing about part time 4 wheel. Is this system crap? I know the difference between full and part time, and you can NOT use part time on dry pavement, but my wife will be the primary driver when we arent towing, she has all wheel drive now. Rear wheel drive is not good in snow. I hate to think she ruins the truck by leaving it in 4 wheel and the roads clear up and she forgets. Is this the new way they do things? should i just steer clear of this? help! Can part time be used if the roads are mostly just wet, after the plows comes, but its still slick enough?
------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2016 at 8:41am
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It's the old way of doing things. Normally you leave it in 2WD except for off-road or snow, conditions under which you don't usually want to tow a trailer. There's an extra shifter for moving between 2WD and 4WD, and it won't instantly ruin your vehicle if you drive on hard dry pavement in 4WD, but it will tend to bind things up. You can feel it when the wheels need to turn at different speeds but can't. It's not good to leave it in 4WD unnecessarily though, you're right. If the roads are at all slippery, you can use 4WD. Maybe after the plows go through. It's really not meant for rain though.Part time 4WD is the real thing and it can't be beat if you find yourself in a tight spot. It just requires some thought and action on your part, whereas AWD uses its on board computer to figure out where to put the traction. AWD is great for rain, pretty good on snow, and good for people who don't understand how to work an extra shifter.Also, generally, 4WD trucks have more ground clearance than AWD vehicles. Sometimes a plus for serious boondockers.TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: podsuperior
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2016 at 11:39am
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We got a 2017 Tacoma this fall with tow package. We had a Honda Pilot, this is a big improvement for towing. We tow in 4th gear most of the time - get 12MPG or so. You still know the POD is back there, especially if it is windy, but I am happy with my choice. We live in Northern MN, icy, snowy roads are the norm all winter. I am impressed with the 2WD, and I have not felt the need to put any weight in the bed, the tires feel good, the traction control system works well in 2WD. Pop it into 4WD and it holds the road really nice, yes on dry pavement with tight turning you do not want to be in 4WD - but why would you anyway?  ------------- 2011 RPOD 177 - 2017 Tacoma |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2016 at 12:52pm
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Excellent picture!!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2016 at 5:07pm
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Thanks guys, excellent feedback. I got a little scared when i saw the " dry pavement" warnings. I was afraid that if i were driving in snowy conditions, then in spots the pavement is clear i would have to be immediately rushing to turn of the 4 wheel. I had 1 guy tell me he only uses it to get going if he needs it, then he puts it back into 2 wheel even if its snowy, he said the 2 wheel does really well. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2016 at 5:20pm
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With my Suburban I use Auto mode in rain or when I could hit snow/ice patches. If there is a steady coating on the road it will be in 4wd mode. No need to rush to change it if you happen to hit a patch of pavement. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2016 at 6:16pm
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Sometimes you can get a full time selectable system by buying the Limited version. I know that the 4Runners all have part time systems now, EXCEPT for the Limited 4Runner which has a Torsen center differential, and it can be driven in 4wd on any road surface. I am not sure the Tacoma or Tundra is like this, but you could check.
EDIT: I just checked for the 2017, and they are all part -time systems as standard. Your wife will have to remember to only use 4wd in snow covered road conditions, or when she goes off-road on the Rubicon trail.!! ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |