AWD vehicle drivers beware

[DixieFlyer]

On some roads the NPS will cite drivers of AWD vehicles for driving on 4WD-only roads:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/na ... r-AA1otL3J

[RedRoxx44]

Some of that cited article is total BS. Many old school Jeeps did not have locking or even limited slip differentials. Plenty of people got stuck in those too.

[big_load]

Some of that cited article is total BS. Many old school Jeeps did not have locking or even limited slip differentials. Plenty of people got stuck in those too.

Yeah, I've seen a couple different versions of it that mentioned locking differentials as being the key requirement. If so (which I doubt), the real intent is for there to be simple transfer case or a limited slip or locking center differential, not necessarily locking on front or rear.

[hikeaz]

I think that bona fide 4x4's are more apt to have larger diameter tires and more clearance. And not the low profile tires found on some/most SUV-ish vehicles that are prone to rim cuts.

[Jim]

@hikeaz
My Outback's tires couldn't cut it back in 2017 when I was attempting a rougher road in the KofA. I turned back from experience when I approached a slope which was eroded and I knew that while I could get down it, I probably couldn't get back up.

AWD is more of a gimmick for Arizona unless you bought it for driving in snow around Flagstaff, or something. In fact, now that the conversation has drifted in to being about AWD vs 4WD, I would prefer not to buy another AWD vehicle, and would prefer to return to FWD, for better fuel economy and lower maintenance costs. I find that I prefer to have a friend with a 4WD, for the few times we hike from a TH accessed from a road that requires 4WD, like the Turkey Creek TH in the Rincons.

Over the last 3 years in Arizona, I had got to the point where I probably don't need AWD, and really only wanted it for the Barry Goldwater/Cabeza Prieta. However, with the road to Tule Well being destroyed, I won't return until that is repaired to 75% of what it was in 2019. Therefore, the Copper Mountains are the mostly likely place I would return to, and I think I could get away with FWD. I would need clearance, however, for the small sand areas. Clearance more than AWD over FWD is something I think is more important for me.

In NJ, I guess AWD is okay for the local sand roads and it does handle deep sand well, but I do not trust it for the mud holes that have become common here on certain roads. Deep ruts and mud. These ridiculous mud holes were not an issue, or were infrequent in the late 90s and very, very early 2000s when I cruised around in a 1991 Buick Skylark which was FWD and still had late 80s style with higher clearance. Never got stuck in sand or mud. I don't want my AWD Outback to get stuck in mud, so that will limit my travels.