4x4 tips/advice for beginner

Sorry if I posted this on the wrong section I’m new here. My 2018 Tacoma is my first 4x4 vehicle I’ve had. I’ve been off-road several times and really have fun but I’m pretty sure I’m doing something wrong or not off roading the best way. Always get nervous thinking about messing up my 4x4 system. My main concern is this when I’m on a dry trail with somewhat loose dirt and rocks in 2wd and my tires start to slip I’ll engage 4hi but if I’m approaching a sharp turn I’ll usually switch back to 2wd. Usually go back and forth 4hi and 2wd depending on traction/obstacles and turns.
Is safer to stay in 4x4?
On trails can you make turns with the wheels turned all the way in 4x4?
Do your tires have to be straight when engaging 4x4?

 

Remember the system is a partial 4wd. If you are on loose or un even in paved terrain leave or in 4Hi, when you come across steep angles or messed up terrain then switch to 4Lo. And depending and the angle and conditions switch it to a selected gear. Use every button you have such as the locker, mts, etc etc… don’t use locked going downhill tends to pull. And keep it on a selected gear and 4Lo when going downhill. The steeper the incline the lower the gear.

 

https://youtu.be/M9MjFyU1S2g

https://youtu.be/v1Z9JChP-1w

Note that at slow speeds (under 15 0r 20 MPH) 4Lo will keep transmission temps cooler.

Just avoid sharp turns in 4Lo unless you are on terrain that will let the wheels spin freely. Think deeps snow, loose dirt/gravel. This will prevent strain and binding.

 

4x4 is for loose surfaces. That is what the visor says.
It can tend to bind.
If you only wheel in 2wd that stresses the rear diff.

it can be engaged and disengaged while moving and unloaded in a straight line.

air down.

 

I have been off-road twice. I put my truck in 4WD as soon as I leave the pavement. I occasionally switch between 4-HI and 4-LO depending on terrain.
Air down, 18 PSI is a good starting point but be sure to have a way to air up your tires. I'm learning every time I go out.

 

Repeating some of what was said from a "still new to off-road", but by no means an expert. Please correct me others, if I am wrong.

2WD needs a good surface for traction, straight up.

4Lo is essentially a re-geared 4Hi (both designed for mixed-at best traction) ... 18 MPH in 4Lo is a limit like 35 MPH is a limit in 4Hi. 4Lo naturally slows you down on gravel downslopes where brakes can cause loss of control when you desperately need it. In 4Hi I use S-mode which limits the upper speed of the truck to a gear on flatter sections, dropping to 2 or 1 when I would rather not use brakes and risk losing control.

Crawl control sounds and feels like the transmission ingested 10 pounds of loose nuts and bolts but is very controlled in places where speed causes loss of control.

Finally ... if the adrenaline rush of barely surviving the last few miles makes the next gravel descent look deadly ... turn back. You do not need to wreck the truck (especially if it is your "daily driver") and you can always return to try again.

 

Pay attention to your gut. It will keep you out of trouble. Always wheel with at least one other vehicle. Never use a chain as a recovery device.

 

never use a hitch ball!!! I always travel with my old towing and recovery bag which i have a pair of extrication gloves a folding shovel an assortment of shackles and straps for different situations. And replace any damaged gear asap

 

You can carry this (https://www.factor55.com/c-hitch-receiver-shackle-mounts) to allow others to more (but do not be cocky about it!) safely extract you. Any "recovery insert" that offsets or drops the contact point to be not directly in line with the hitch sleeve is asking for it to break, the line recoils and kills someone (it HAS happened ... this is NOT paranoia!).

For the front (https://arbusa.com/toyota-tacoma-2016-on/bumpers-protection-equipment/recovery-points/), pricey but very strong recovery point for the front. It bolts into the frame for strength, but in a front-impact collapses back and away from the frame to maybe prevent additional frame damage.