Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
when to use 4x4 when to use 4x4
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Brad-Houghton, of Parque Nacional Eduardo Avaroa, Bolivia

Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!


Photo by Brad-Houghton,
The Stone Tree,
Reserva Nacional de
Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa
(Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna
National Reserve)
Bolivia



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Aug 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: london
Posts: 178
when to use 4x4
Hi
always thought mud equals need for 4x4 for traction, however just gone over mountains in Romania despite being gravel roads no traction problems. How ever did wonder if using 4x4 capabilities would share out load on diffs and improve pulling capabilities up steep climbs due to pulling as well as pushing. Vehicle is iveco 4x4 40.10w approx 4 ton. any advice would be welcome
thanks mark
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Aug 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 224
Depends on a number of things really - if you have permanent 4x4, running through diffs or viscous couplings then that tends to be ok in most circumstances, and you only need to start engaging difflocks to lock axles together or lock wheels on an axle when there is a serious chance of traction being lost.

I crossed th Ubari sand sea in Libya without using difflock once - a fact I only realised when I got home and found the guys who overhauled my transfer box never attached the end of the difflock lever!

Sometimes using difflock can be a disadvantage - turning hard in sand can make the outside wheels dig in and sink, and there are also times if you need to use heavy throttle that you might want a wheel to be able to spin so you don't snap a drive shaft. A lot of the decisions on when to engage will be down to the individual vehicle, it's mechanical traits and the environment.

You don't always need locked 4x4 in mud or slippery surfaces as unless you are turning or the wheels are on different types of surface, they should get roughly the same level of drive to them anyway unless something happens that makes the diff change which axle/wheel gets the drive.
__________________
www.simba4x4.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Aug 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Leicestershire,UK, or in my Iveco Daily 4x4
Posts: 474
With the iveco you need to be on a loose surface to use 4x4 as it it part time 4x4 with no centre differential so you risk transmission windup on hard services

i would probabily leave it in 4x2 but with the hubbs locked in so you can go to 4x4 if needed without getting out of vehicle on that sort of terrain

rich
__________________
Rich

Iveco Turbo Daily 4x4 40-10
Ex Owner LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Aug 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Posts: 360
Hi,
I agree with Rich. In my 60 I lock the hubs at the start of a pieste/track, but only engage 4x4 when needed and certainly not on any hard surface.
Its good practice to lock the hubs every couple of thousand miles anyway to stir up the oil in the front axle, even if you have on intention of engaging 4x4.

All the best
Sam
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Aug 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 381
having had permanent and switchable 4x4 system landies and a landcruiser, assuming a loose surface, whats the disadvantage to engaging fwd anyway? (unless you have free wheeling hubs the whole lot will still be turning, so fuel consumption would hardly be affected?) if you start loosing traction it may be too late for fwd to unstick you, and concentrating on whats infront of you rather than "wheres that bloody lever/switch" is a better plan?

despite my current transport being part time 4x4, the handbook states i should engage the front axle if encountering steep grades or towing regardless of surface in the lower gears
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Aug 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Posts: 360
As long as the surface is loose, then no harm at all.
Unless anyone wants to correct me, i certainly wouldn't ever engage it 'regardless of the surface'. It wont do any harm as long as you are going straight ahead, but there's only so long you can do that for! In the bends the transmition will wind up if the wheel can't slip
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Aug 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Leicestershire,UK, or in my Iveco Daily 4x4
Posts: 474
grizzly

does your current transport have a centre diff, in that case its fine to engage it anytime otherwise i would be wary of doing that on an iveco or series landrover as even at low speed on tarmac you can get windup

rich
__________________
Rich

Iveco Turbo Daily 4x4 40-10
Ex Owner LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:55.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top