towing in 4x4 mode

goldypops

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Does anyone pull their trailer on the road when conditions are ok in 4 wheel drive or do you keep 4 wheel drive for off road/snowy conditions?? Reason I ask is we have a Jeep and I am loooking at getting a trailer. However, I am really nervous if I have to hit the brakes hard in Jeep as tends to lock and skid. I was wondering if driving in 4 wheel drive would prevent this if I was towing or will it do damage to the car if conditions dont warrant putting it into 4 wheel drive.
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Thanks, I thought it would increase wear and tear!
Would love a horsebox so that I dont have the stress of towing but cant afford one
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but could stretch to a trailer so if I finally want to get out and about this summer I am going to have to put my fears behind me I think!
 
Depends on vehicle discos are in permenant 4 x4, so are lot of other proper 4x4, but you have the option of low box for bad conditions.
 
I have a Mitsubishi Pajero & I cannot think that I have ever had it in 4 wheel drive whilst having the trailer on the back, I've never needed it.
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I am really nervous if I have to hit the brakes hard

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One of the most important things to remember when towing a horse trailer is to really look ahead & try & anticipate the stupid things that other drivers do thus hopefully you should greatly lessen the need to hit the brakes really hard. Everything needs to me done smoothly & steadily to try & give the horses as smooth a ride as possible.
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my dad tows my trailer in the 4x4 mode with his Jeep cherokee thing, he says it handles better, i dont use the 4x4 mode in my vauxhall frontera when towing normaly. I would'nt tow in bad conditions myself, hence why i stick to the normal mode.
 
I have a grand jeep and its full time 4x4 its great to tow with, if you hit the brakes really hard you will skid wheather you were in 4wd or 2 wd, if you dont have abs. Like scotsmare said you should be traveling much slower when towing so hopefully wont you be hitting the brakes reallly hard, you will deff
get through more sets of tyres driving in 4x4.
 
i cant use 4x4 on the road in mine (it's an M reg Toyota Hilux Surf) - it doesn't have a slip differential so cant go round corners on hard surfaces in 4x4 mode as it'll break it - worth checking this on any 4x4 you buy. the modern ones can cope in 4x4 all the time. i have used 4x4 to tow but only off road - quite often need it in muddy show fields. i've never had to hit the brakes hard though - i hope that i tow at a sensible speed with enough anticipation to avoid these things.
 
I have always assumed my very old LRover 90 is permanent 4 x 4. I have "Diff Lock" and "Low Ratio Gearbox" at my disposal, I've never needed either as I've always been able to get by just fine in "standard mode". Rescuing Nissan Patrols and such like, you know how it goes...
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All newer than my old rustbucket too!
 
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i cant use 4x4 on the road in mine (it's an M reg Toyota Hilux Surf) - it doesn't have a slip differential so cant go round corners on hard surfaces in 4x4 mode as it'll break it - worth checking this on any 4x4 you buy. the modern ones can cope in 4x4 all the time. i have used 4x4 to tow but only off road - quite often need it in muddy show fields. i've never had to hit the brakes hard though - i hope that i tow at a sensible speed with enough anticipation to avoid these things.

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Likewise with my Daihatsu Fourtrak.

It has High ratio 4WD for use on snow or Low ratio for field work, but if you use either on the road it'll damage it
 
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