hi everyone,

im new to 4x4 and bought my jeep to tow a horse trailer.

can someone explain when to use which gear?

i have an automatic 4.0 petrol. im a bit confused when you would use 4x part time and low ratio and also the 1-2 and 3 on the gear lever.

can you please do it like:

2wd - normal road driving
1-2 and 3 -
4 part time-

etc.

thank you

 

1-2 = a little extra for towing.. imagine you have a manual transmission.. its just like 1st and 2nd would be on that.. more torque.. also useful for winter as an alternative to putting your brakes on down hill.. helps keep you from sliding..

3 = same principle only a little higher gears which means you can go faster in it..

part time = when you lose traction.. dont go over 40mph when in 4 wheel.. its rough on your front drive shaft..

 

good start thanks,

so when would you use proper 4 wheels drive or low ratio?

if i am towing a horse trailer on a road would i just use normal 2wd? is that strong enough?

 

Use 4wd full-time when road conditions permit it. Icy roads, dangerously wet, etc. Could pop it if you need to get up a nasty hill too, of course. Some systems can use 4wd full-time whenever you want, even on dry roads. Shouldn't go over 55mph in this. Use Low when you need to yank someone out of a ditch or scream out of a serious obstacle. This practically multiplies your torque and you can't go but maybe 20mph in 4wd Low.

 

ya 2wd the majority of the time unless you start to struggle going up a hill.. if this happens you can either go to a lower gear or go to 4 wheel.. i would try low gear then 4 wheel if that doesn't work.. i really dont see a Cherokee pulling anymore than a 2 horse but i could be wrong.. not sure how big your trailer is..

 

4 wheel drive low is for a really steep hill, lots of rocks or obstacles and anything that is really touch. You should NEVER go more than 15mph in 4low

 

I would never tow in (D). Only in 3. Unless it is a very light trailer. That will help the transmission live a bit longer.

If it is a Part-Time transfer case, 2WD should be good for almost any normal driving. 4-Hi is good for slippery surfaces or wet roads. 4-lo is only useful if you need to pull something heavy, very slowly.