Steering/tires binding in 4WD

I have a 2013 Tacoma (manual). This was a bad winter up here in VT and I had to use 4wd a lot. I found it almost impossible to turn the truck in 4WD at low speed - e.g., when maneuvering in an icy, crowded parking lot. It seems like the tires are binding somehow and the front end wouldn't move.

I took it to the dealer and he told me that this was "normal" - that "all 4WD vehicles did it.". That's nonsense. I drove Land Rovers (old Defenders all over Africa) and Land Cruisers in Afghanistan. Never had anything like this.

Has anyone had this problem? Is it "normal" for Tacomas or was the service manager feeding me a line?

 

It's normal for any 4x4 vehicle without a center differential between the front and rear axle.

 

Thanks to all for confirming what I was told.

I should have checked this blog before I bought. It was a constant headache all winter and I guess one I'll have to live with for a couple of decades (since I kept my last truck 18 years).

 

if they are binding you have enough traction to shut off 4wd and use 2wd then you wont have a headache, or a broken truck

 

I only put in 4x4 when slipping.