Denali AWD driving off road.

[Dingus mcghee]

Yes , I drive this thing off road.
I treat it like a truck.

Yes , I've gotten it stuck. To my surprise it does not act like a 4x4

2007 yukon denali xl.

It doesn't behave at all like any 4x4 I've ever driven. That aside , once I learned how to drive it off road its been quite capable. There are some very important differences though.

First, driving habits and obstacle strategies have to be very different. In a 4x4 it's common practice to "crawl" over things like ditches, rocks and creek beds. Or up inclines and hills.

In the AWD, that's a bad strategy. With no low range, it works better to try and "step" over the same obstacles. Slightly faster, but more constant speeds work much better.

And if you start to slip in a true 4x4 generally you hit the gas and hang on. But the AWD, instead keep a constant throttle and try to "step" out by maneuvering and letting the drive wheels switch back and forth

Second, driving habits are different. Instead of picking a path through a muddy stretch of road, pointing the truck in the general direction and dropping down the hammer and hanging on. In the AWD you need to pick your tracks more carefully. Use the throttle more strategically and if you do bog down DO NOT do the 4x4 thing and gun it. Instead : back off the throttle slightly and try to get traction. When you do feel it start to pull, increase throttle slowly.

All in all, these trucks are very capable off road. They are not 4x4s

But if you learn how to drive them, you can follow your 4x4 driving buddies anywhere they can go and do it in style.

I'm 42. I can easily get way off the beaten path in this thing. And do it without getting out to lock hubs or back up and whatnot to engage and disengage four wheel drive. I let the young guys do that!

I just kick back with my tunes, my climate control and drive.

And I get to the remote spot too.

I love this truck.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Do you disable traction control and Stabilitrak, does that help?

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

 

[Dingus mcghee]

Do you disable traction control and Stabilitrak, does that help?

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

Disabling the traction control seems to make the switch from the front to rear axle and vice versa slower. Sort of helps in muddy ruts and stuff when you have to lay into the throttle more. I haven't noticed and difference really in the stable track.

The main thing is to drive to get where you want to go and not try to do something stupid. The AWD is not 4wheel drive. And when the young guys stop to try to see who gets stuck in a mud hole, I don't participate. But if I need to make it through that same mud hole, I'm just as capable.
Pick the path and drive.

Just drive to get there and save your rig as much of a beating as you can. And it'll get you there. Regardless of terrain.

It was a learning curve coming from a 4x4. But these are capable trucks when used correctly.

 

[Dingus mcghee]

The AWD is sort of constantly looking for traction. Whereas the 4x4 spins all four wheels simultaneously and the driver finds the traction. The AWD is always switching the driving wheels around to find the best traction.
That's why, I have found when you start spinning and lose traction , lay off the throttle and let it sort of "find its place" , then go from there.

It actually works quite well when driven correctly.

 

[Dingus mcghee]

I'll say this: another thread has this thing called "over landing" mentioned. Never heard of it before. But that's sort of what we do. My son in law drives a land rover discovery or his ram 4x4 and we go over landing basically.

Once I learned how to drive the denali AWD. I don't have any issue getting where we want to go. I've got way more room (me and the wife sleep in it) and way more comfort.

Andi can keep up with the kids and their toys just fine.

 

[intheburbs]

Simple...

2 diffs>3 diffs

Maybe I'm just not sophisticated enough, or smart enough, but I'll take my 4WD Suburban over my AWD Sierra Denali any day of the week, whether off-road or in snow.

 

[Dingus mcghee]

Simple...

2 diffs>3 diffs

Maybe I'm just not sophisticated enough, or smart enough, but I'll take my 4WD Suburban over my AWD Sierra Denali any day of the week, whether off-road or in snow.

I understand completely. I've driven both now extensively. And if you really want to grind it out, then the 4x4 is the way to go. If you want to play around in the local mudholes again the 4x4 is what you want.

But you show me a place you want to go, and i can get there too. With a Bose stereo, plenty of room and a pretty mature lady beside me who is traveling in comfort.

To each there own.

I've moved on.

 

[Dingus mcghee]

I understand completely. I've driven both now extensively. And if you really want to grind it out, then the 4x4 is the way to go. If you want to play around in the local mudholes again the 4x4 is what you want.

But you show me a place you want to go, and i can get there too. With a Bose stereo, plenty of room and a pretty mature lady beside me who is traveling in comfort.

To each there own.

I've moved on.

I do still like an old school 4x4 though.

Something about slinging mud belching steam and gear whine still turns me on.

I just don't like shoveling mud and carrying around rubber boots anymore.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Different styles, priorities, and preferences for different folks.

Fortunately, we have the freedom to make those choices, and to pursue wherever makes us most happy and fulfilled.

 

[swathdiver]

I understand completely. I've driven both now extensively. And if you really want to grind it out, then the 4x4 is the way to go. If you want to play around in the local mudholes again the 4x4 is what you want.

But you show me a place you want to go, and i can get there too. With a Bose stereo, plenty of room and a pretty mature lady beside me who is traveling in comfort.

To each there own.

I've moved on.

I get there in style too with my 4x4, SLT not Denali style!

 

[intheburbs]

I understand completely. I've driven both now extensively. And if you really want to grind it out, then the 4x4 is the way to go. If you want to play around in the local mudholes again the 4x4 is what you want.

But you show me a place you want to go, and i can get there too. With a Bose stereo, plenty of room and a pretty mature lady beside me who is traveling in comfort.

To each there own.

I've moved on.

I get there in style too with my 4x4, SLT not Denali style!

Yeah, I'm a little confused, too. It's not like I'm roughing it in my Suburban. I call my Suburban 2500 3LT my Conan the Barbarian wearing a tux.

Leather, sunroof, power folding/tumbling middle row seats, nav, Bose, quad heated seats, memory seating, power tailgate, heated washer fluid, video system, oh, and I can pull an 8600-lb trailer and have a max GVWR of 16,000 lbs.

Compared to my Sierra Denali, the only thing I'm missing is the heated steering wheel. And my Denali doesn't have the nav/touchscreen.

I've gotten into more trouble with my Denali than my Suburban. I've actively tried to get the Suburban stuck, and have not. The extra 1000 lbs and no center diff make for a better snow/offroad experience.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Third center differential? I thought they had transfer cases

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

 

[swathdiver]

Third center differential? I thought they had transfer cases

2001 Yukon SLT
2012 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Yukon Denali RIP 5/20/18

On the AWD, the transfer case acts like a 3rd differential so the tires don't protest during turns on the street.

 

[Dingus mcghee]

I get it. I do.

But look, I can drive in comfort, convenience, and style. And I can drive anywhere.

B!$ch please.

 

[intheburbs]

I get it. I do.

But look, I can drive in comfort, convenience, and style. And I can drive anywhere.

B!$ch please.

And I can do the same in comfort, convenience and style. I have all the same options/convenience features you have. In fact, I'd wager I have more goodies than you do.

But I can also drive more places, and I can tow more. I have a payload rating over 2000 lbs, freefloated axles, and a beefier drivetrain.

And how do those low-profile tires work for you on rocky terrain? Those wheels are awfully expensive to replace. I'll take my 75 aspect ratio tires, especially offroad.

And do you have these?

Can yours do this?

No, that's right, you only have a half-ton. Lower payload, lower towing capacity. 2000 lbs less max GCWR, 1700 lbs less trailer towing, and over 500lbs less payload.

One last thing - not only don't I have to get out to "lock the hubs," or back up to engage 4wd properly, I have an "Auto" 4wd setting which puts the system in standby. I'm in 2wd, with the commensurate less wear and tear and better mileage, but if the rear wheels start to slip, the fronts are instantly engaged.

I'm 42. I can easily get way off the beaten path in this thing. And do it without getting out to lock hubs or back up and whatnot to engage and disengage four wheel drive. I let the young guys do that!

4WD trucks have come a ways. You might want to read up before making ignorant statements.

 

[Dingus mcghee]

And I can do the same in comfort, convenience and style. I have all the same options/convenience features you have. In fact, I'd wager I have more goodies than you do.

But I can also drive more places, and I can tow more. I have a payload rating over 2000 lbs, freefloated axles, and a beefier drivetrain.

And how do those low-profile tires work for you on rocky terrain? Those wheels are awfully expensive to replace. I'll take my 75 aspect ratio tires, especially offroad.

And do you have these?

Can yours do this?

No, that's right, you only have a half-ton. Lower payload, lower towing capacity. 2000 lbs less max GCWR, 1700 lbs less trailer towing, and over 500lbs less payload.

One last thing - not only don't I have to get out to "lock the hubs," or back up to engage 4wd properly, I have an "Auto" 4wd setting which puts the system in standby. I'm in 2wd, with the commensurate less wear and tear and better mileage, but if the rear wheels start to slip, the fronts are instantly engaged.




4WD trucks have come a ways. You might want to read up before making ignorant statements.

Looks like a nice ride bro.

I like it.

I guess I don't have the same axle rating. But I do have the 6,2l engine.

I use. It too.

 

[Dingus mcghee]

Yeah, I'm a little confused, too. It's not like I'm roughing it in my Suburban. I call my Suburban 2500 3LT my Conan the Barbarian wearing a tux.

Leather, sunroof, power folding/tumbling middle row seats, nav, Bose, quad heated seats, memory seating, power tailgate, heated washer fluid, video system, oh, and I can pull an 8600-lb trailer and have a max GVWR of 16,000 lbs.

Compared to my Sierra Denali, the only thing I'm missing is the heated steering wheel. And my Denali doesn't have the nav/touchscreen.

I've gotten into more trouble with my Denali than my Suburban. I've actively tried to get the Suburban stuck, and have not. The extra 1000 lbs and no center diff make for a better snow/offroad experience.

Conan in a tux?

I love it lol!

I've got James Bond in denim lol!

 

[petethepug]

Here in SoCal rain is scarce and the constant is traffic. Went w/ AWD on our NNBS again for the sole reason of control in unsuspecting situations. There’s countless situations when we’ve had lakes on our highways and the AWD caught it before we knew it was there. It really makes sense w/ the 6.2L in rain as it’s next to impossible to spin the tires.

When most of the traffic drives like Mr. Wheeler, AWD is a winner.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dave01]

One last thing - not only don't I have to get out to "lock the hubs," or back up to engage 4wd properly, I have an "Auto" 4wd setting which puts the system in standby. I'm in 2wd, with the commensurate less wear and tear and better mileage, but if the rear wheels start to slip, the fronts are instantly engaged.

I tend to agree with you, like having the option of choosing the mode I'm using at a particular time. I've always thought that going to non-switchable AWD was a concession they made to a big part of their customer base who doesn't want to know about 4WD/AWD, doesn't want to push any buttons, just wants the traction and safety of AWD. I'd rather have control of my drivetrain.

You guys both have awesome, capable vehicles! And the OP wasn't saying anything bad about 4WD, just likes his AWD ride right now.

 

[Bigkevschopshop]

In bad weather, snow, rain, ice, I would prefer AWD or 4wd... Down where I live, we get rain, but hardly any of the other 2... If I lived where it snowed or iced frequently I would get an AWD or 4wd for the safety factor... The 2wd where I am is fine and does what I need, 4wd would be nice sometimes but for the miles I do a week, the fuel consumption on 2wd is better for me. I think its all knowing where you live, what your normal drive consists of. My parents have a AWD 13 yukon denalli and man does that sucker scoot.. Grip is amazing.... I fall into the category and like the selection options

The traction control nanny will get a 2wd through some stuff you wouldn't think possible... as much as we hate the nanny there is a few good uses for it.