In what situations have you used 4L/4Low?

[ShookieJay]

This may not be relevant to the newer models, but I've used 4L a handful of times in my '03 Tahoe. There are some moderately challenging trails on the outskirts of my town that I go to every now and then. The trails are just barely wide enough for my truck, and there are some gnarly rocky slopes (at least for a stock SUV with running boards lol). I usually run the whole trail in 4L because it offers greater control when crawling over rocks, and drasticly reduces the need for braking going downhill. Only time I've used it on pavement was to pull out a forklift at work when some genius decided to drive it over gravel it probably would have done it in 2H but forklifts are f*****g heavy and I didn't want to stress the ole' 4L-slippy too hard lol

 

[EddieC]

Sand driving on the beach and stuck in a snow bank on unplowed roads in the forest.
Absolutely necessary in the sand.

 

[SavageDad]

in most cases you will never "need" to use 4low unless you are stuck period and are trying to work your way out.
I went thru this whole thing and more in "auto" on Saturday, the first "pit" in the open meadow was nothing but a mud put probably a foot deep all the way across, went right thru it like butter.
the only thing I have is a 4.5" lift on it and this road was no problem in auto, could have made it thru much worse
4LO Can be handy when it is needed

What tires are you running with that 4.5" lift?

 

[SavageDad]

Personally I like to take the kids out and wander the deserts and hills around here off and on when I can and I run her in 2H for pretty much everything, rocky hills may call for 4H, but when the rocks consistently get bigger than softball size or the grade gets steeper than about 20° I switch to 4L for the extra traction and control. When I finally swap out the stock Goodyear rubber I may find it less necessary, but for now I find these tires inspire little confidence if things get steep or if there is any mud at all.

 

[Doubeleive]

What tires are you running with that 4.5" lift?

nothing special Just some 20" equvilent to 33's, Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8 305/55r20
I have been happy wiith them, a set runs around $1200

 

[CaptainMurray]

I used 4H in snow and 4L to pull shtubs out of the flower bed,

 

[Geotrash]

Sand driving on the beach and stuck in a snow bank in the forest.
Absolutely necessary in the sand.

Both of our XL Denalis are AWD without low range but first gear is pretty low. I’ve driven both extensively on the soft sand beaches of the outer banks and never had a problem. On sand, the key is to air down the tires and turn off the traction and stability control. I don’t think I’ve ever even spun a tire this way in the sand.

That’s not to say I haven’t missed low range in other situations, but I’ve always managed to make it through. A few years ago my wife and I rented a yurt for the weekend way up on a mountain near Luray, VA and I could’ve used low range there but made it through.

I spent many years wheelin’ when I lived in Colorado and had Land Rovers and an ‘02 Suburban - all with low range and sure made rocky road crawling easier. It’s my only complaint about the AWD Denalis - GM went a little too far toward the mall crawler end of the scale for my liking. The running boards and no low range are a poor match for Colorado mountain pass duty.

 

[Sparksalot]

Both of our XL Denalis are AWD without low range but first gear is pretty low. I’ve driven both extensively on the soft sand beaches of the outer banks and never had a problem. On sand, the key is to air down the tires and turn off the traction and stability control. I don’t think I’ve ever even spun a tire this way in the sand.

That’s not to say I haven’t missed low range in other situations, but I’ve always managed to make it through. A few years ago my wife and I rented a yurt for the weekend way up on a mountain near Luray, VA and I could’ve used low range there but made it through.

I spent many years wheelin’ when I lived in Colorado and had Land Rovers and an ‘02 Suburban - all with low range and sure made rocky road crawling easier. It’s my only complaint about the AWD Denalis - GM went a little too far toward the mall crawler end of the scale for my liking. The running boards and no low range are a poor match for Colorado mountain pass duty.

Running boards and Wyoming passes.

But I was in 4Lo doing it.

 

[EddieC]

Both of our XL Denalis are AWD without low range but first gear is pretty low. I’ve driven both extensively on the soft sand beaches of the outer banks and never had a problem. On sand, the key is to air down the tires and turn off the traction and stability control. I don’t think I’ve ever even spun a tire this way in the sand.

That’s not to say I haven’t missed low range in other situations, but I’ve always managed to make it through. A few years ago my wife and I rented a yurt for the weekend way up on a mountain near Luray, VA and I could’ve used low range there but made it through.

I spent many years wheelin’ when I lived in Colorado and had Land Rovers and an ‘02 Suburban - all with low range and sure made rocky road crawling easier. It’s my only complaint about the AWD Denalis - GM went a little too far toward the mall crawler end of the scale for my liking. The running boards and no low range are a poor match for Colorado mountain pass duty.

We had about 15 years on the sand at OBX and found some soft spots, like getting out to Oregon Inlet, but they didn't compare to some up north where the sand is like powdered sugar. The full sidewalls of the tires can be buried while driving along (and they make a weird squeeking from the friction).
We always air down no matter which beach and revert to low range to keep the strain on the drivetrain down and always once things start bogging down.

 

[Geotrash]

We had about 15 years on the sand at OBX and found some soft spots, like getting out to Oregon Inlet, but they didn't compare to some up north where the sand is like powdered sugar. The full sidewalls of the tires can be buried while driving along (and they make a weird squeeking from the friction).
We always air down no matter which beach and revert to low range to keep the strain on the drivetrain down and always once things start bogging down.

Yup! Then you know.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Probably the one other thing is that you can’t put the single speed t-case in neutral…so if you wanted to tow your rig flat behind an RV or something you need the 2 speed.

 

[steiny93]

Backing up an incline with a 5k+ trailer; thats when I use 4L in the Denali. At one of our places the shed has a decent incline, 4L makes backing up way easier when loaded.
Otherwise just regular auto or hi.

 

[the 18th letter]

I feel like I’ve wasted my money getting 4x4. Haven’t used any 4hi or Lo wheel since 2018.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I feel like I’ve wasted my money getting 4x4. Haven’t used any 4Hi or Lo wheel since 2018.

Is this because you buy really good tires? If not, then why?

 

[the 18th letter]

Is this because you buy really good tires? If not, then why?

I switched jobs where I no longer have to travel in inclement weather. It came in real handy when I had to be there or else. When I bought my newer truck I should have considered 2 wheel drives which were a few thou cheaper it seemed. Honestly, I’d rather have it and not need it than to need it and not have.

 

[Marky Dissod]

... rather have and not need, than to need and not have.

Although I still check the roof clearance every time I get into any garage / covered parking lot besides mine for fear of tearing my Z71's lid off ...
I also prefer having and not needing.

I've only needed 4Hi twice, for maybe 3-5min each time, in the past two years.
Who knows how much time it saved me, being able to drive straight through a path that EVERYONE else has to drive around ...

 

[Hobert]

I switched jobs where I no longer have to travel in inclement weather. It came in real handy when I had to be there or else. When I bought my newer truck I should have considered 2 wheel drives which were a few thou cheaper it seemed. Honestly, I’d rather have it and not need it than to need it and not have.

My thoughts too. Had to have it, haven't needed it. I use it during heavy snows just to make sure it is working.

 

[the 18th letter]

Although I still check the roof clearance every time I get into any garage / covered parking lot besides mine for fear of tearing my Z71's lid off ...
I also prefer having and not needing.

I've only needed 4Hi twice, for maybe 3-5min each time, in the past two years.
Who knows how much time it saved me, being able to drive straight through a path that EVERYONE else has to drive around ...

One trip that was particularly bad because ice was developing under the snow I did exactly as you said. I chose the path of fresh snow that no one else thought or dared to go. Slowly passed the whole back up on the right.

 

[PatDTN]

Used 4lo today pulling 2 1/2 tons of gravel around my hilly yard.

 

[Stbentoak]

I feel like I’ve wasted my money getting 4x4. Haven’t used any 4hi or Lo wheel since 2018.

I have not used mine once since new but I don’t spend winters in snowy regions anymore. Don’t care….
But you only need one or two times to really save your neck when you really need it. It also helps immensely on resale value as most people won’t buy these used without 4wd, especially in mid to northern climates….