Auto 4WD explained

[testerdahl]

We are talking about two different conversations. I relayed the difference between AWD and Auto 4WD off-camera. I should have recorded that part, apparently. It was a separate conversation. That's what I'm referring to.

 

[RHOfan]

The best write-up I have encountered on our transfer case..

An In-Depth Look At The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX's Selectable Drive Modes:

With all of the excitement surrounding the off-road prowess of the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, we figured we would dig just a little bit deeper into its four-wheel-drive (4×4) system and its new Drive Mode selector options to see what the Hellcat-powered performance off-road has in store for its...

moparinsiders.com

 

[RHOfan]

This may be the key to understanding this confusing topic (copy/pasted):

“The key difference between full-time 4WD and AWD is that full-time 4WD vehicles have a locking center differential that’s built into the transfer case. When a driver engages it, the center differential locks the front and rear drive shafts together so that they turn at the same speed thus delivering equal amounts of torque to the front and rear wheels. In general, a full-time 4WD vehicle with the center differential locked acts like a part-time 4WD vehicle when the 4WD is engaged.”

Soooo…the RHO is not AWD…it is full-time 4WD. This has absolutely nothing to do with 4WD Auto. It has to do with the transfer case’s ability to lock the front & rear axles together, which the RHO can do! When unlocked, our trucks behave like an AWD vehicle with a fixed torque slit that is drive mode dependent.

 

[tahoebrian5]

I didn’t watch the whole video but skimming around I didn’t see if it explained what conditions you would want to be in 4wd high.

 

[RHOfan]

I didn’t watch the whole video but skimming around I didn’t see if it explained what conditions you would want to be in 4wd high.

It was mentioned…I think the engineer said something like use 4WD high “on loose surfaces”.

Bottom line, if there is any solid footing (which would potentially cause wheel chatter/hop because the axles are locked together in 4WD high) use 4WD Auto.

So, if you are on completely snow covered roads, 4WD high. If there is some cleared pavement and some snow cover, 4WD auto.

 

[IvanNik]

@testerdahl looks like we need a new video with off-road cases; 1,2,3,4 test rollers and mud and donuts and iterating between transfer case settings.

 

[testerdahl]

@testerdahl looks like we need a new video with off-road cases; 1,2,3,4 test rollers and mud and donuts and iterating between transfer case settings.

Donuts? I'm down for some donuts. With sprinkles please!

 

[Joe86]

Thanks for sharing