How often would I use 4 Low? [update]

"HoustonRunner" (houstonrunner) 09/22/2020 at 09:40 • Filed to: None

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Up date 2 : Shocking no one on Oppo, I’m a bit analytical about EVERYTHING. So of course I’m thinking about that 1% use case. So far great suggestions - just get some chains and a shovel and don’t wor ry about 4 Low.

As I’ve noted in a few replies, next step is to check it out in daylight, possibly get a PPI, and get the dealer to come down $1500 or so.

After Tropical Storm Beta stops dumping rain on us.

Thanks for all the replies Oppo.

Update : what I love about Oppo is all the people that have implicitly volunteered to come and pull me out when I get stuck because I only have 4 High. /s

So I’m looking at used 2015/16 Suburbans with 4 WD because reasons. Primary reason is for road trips I never thought we would take but are now due to the pandemic. Where last year we flew to Santa Fe and Colorado to ski and rented 4WD, we are now planning to drive. In addition I’ll probably drive up for pheasant hunting in Nebraska in mid November. Most of that would be highway, but pulling off the gravel roads into corn or soybean fields to park.

So almost all the ones I have looked at so far have the 2 speed transfer case. I hadn’t really thought about it until I drove one tonight that only had the single speed transfer case.

But, this one is red with the cocoa and dune interior, basically the perfect combo for me.

So, what does Oppo think the chances are I’ll regret the single speed transfer case? Keep in mind I’ll also be running some sort of very road biased tires (the car has Michelin Defender LTX M/S tires, which is what I had on my 2WD and loved those tires).

Also, it does not have the trailering package, so no brake controller and max towing is 6k versus 8k. And no, I have not towed anything in the last 20 years and I’m not buying a boat. I did used the hitch for a bike carrier...

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 22:51

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I cannot think of a reasonable scenario where you would find yourself needing a low range.

I can also guarantee 90-something percent of Suburban drivers have not used low-range and never will. 

Just Jeepin' > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 22:52

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While I want 4low in my vehicles, it is extremely rare that I have to use it. Basically it’s only useful in emergencies (like trying to pull a heavier vehicle out of a snow/mud pit, like I attempted and failed to do during a snowstorm) or when you’re going onto actual off-road trails, not just forest roads and such.

It’s definitely a plus, but also definitely not mandatory.

jminer > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 22:56

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I’ve done a fair bit of off roading and exploration over the years and only ever used 4 low to either climb a very steep hill or get unstuck. Probably only 6 or 8 times over nearly 20 years .

It’s a nice to have, but not a need to have in my opinion unless you’re doing some hardcore off-roading.

atfsgeoff > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 22:56

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limited slip or locking diffs are probably more useful to you than a low range. Check the specs to see if the 2 speed transfer case comes packaged with either of those. If yes, then buy it for the ancillaries.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's 09/21/2020 at 22:57

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i would guess almost 90% don’t even know what it is.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:02

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I had a suburban as a work truck and drove in the mountains near Lake Tahoe on a daily basis, I rarely used 4wd, I used 4-low  one time while exploring a nasty forest service road and I used it to turn around before I got high centered in some nasty ruts, so I don’t see it being needed and if you like the rest of the truck go for it.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:02

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I take the “ if you have to ask" approach to this question.  Based on what you describe, you may not miss it all.  

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:03

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Probably not. When I had my 2500 I used it only once to drag my buddies F150 up the snowy cabin driveway when he had nearly bald all seasons that were spinning in 4wd . I mostly did it for control because the speed is slower.

shop-teacher > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:03

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For what you're going to do? You'll never need low range. My dad plowed snow for years, and only used 4-low on the occasion he bought a new truck, and wanted to see if it worked. For midwestern gravel roads and parking on the edge of the field, you probably won't even need the 4wd. It'll be nice to have, but you definitely won't need low range.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:05

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4wl is typically only needed in soft sand, mud or steep incline. probably fine.

Would you be running at a minimum an allseason tire? 

dogisbadob > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:06

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I didn’t know low range was still available on the Suburban! I thought it went the way of the barn doors :p

HoustonRunner > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 09/21/2020 at 23:11

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Definitely, Michelin Defender LTX M/S.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:11

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Go for the red with brown interior. That color combo is awesome. You will NEVER have to use low unless you did something profoundly stupid and got profoundly unlucky. Even then, all terrain tires would be a bigger help. 

Maxima Speed > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:13

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I used it in both the   suburban and the Escalade for muddy semi frozen stuff every February it seemed like , simple drivers through a field  would inevitably require slowly churning out in 4 low.

shop-teacher > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's 09/21/2020 at 23:13

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I would guess 85% if modern Suburban owners have never even put it in 4-High. They probably just use the auto track AWD mode.

HoustonRunner > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 09/21/2020 at 23:14

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I know, isn’t it beautiful?  Did a quick drive of it tonight and it looks good.  Still need to do a daytime walk through, and the dealer needs to come down at least $1500.

HoustonRunner > shop-teacher 09/21/2020 at 23:15

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True that.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:18

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I’d put the red one at the top of your list. It’s everything you want and more. You won’t miss the 4 low.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:20

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Probably fine, though I was doing that long of a stretch during winter I would pack a small shovel, traction aid and winter emergency kit .

Derpwagon > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:22

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4 low isn’t going to save you from anything that those tires aren’t able to handle. Those will be your biggest limitation in traction compromised situations, so if you don’t plan on running a more off road oriented tire (which is totally fine, tire choice should be dictated by primary use), you’ll probably never miss 4 low. If it’s the color combo and specs you want, go for it.

We had a few suburbans in Saudi Arabia, they're nice trucks.

CB > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:22

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The only time I’ve used low range in the Tahoe was in two feet of snow. You should be fine.

HoustonRunner > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 09/21/2020 at 23:25

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That I can do, I’m all about preparation.

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:54

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The only time I would use 4LO was off road, on mining access trails in CO o r fire roads in CA. Never needed it around town or mountains for that matter, snow or otherwise.

I imagine you’ll be completely fine without it and that red is nice.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > HoustonRunner 09/21/2020 at 23:54

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The number of times in my life when I have actually needed low range can be counted on one hand. M ost of those were situations that I intentionally put myself in, like dune crawling. If this is just gonna be a family hauler that sometimes sees snow you’ll be just fine with 4hi.

HoustonRunner > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 09/22/2020 at 00:11

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While I think exploring old mine roads would be cool, I'm not trying to do that in the family truckster.

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > HoustonRunner 09/22/2020 at 00:16

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I also don’t think a 30 foot long Suburban is great for off-road.

FWIW they might be shorter than 30 feet.

Ssfancyfresh > HoustonRunner 09/22/2020 at 06:31

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We had a 2017 tahoe with the 2 spd transfer case. We only used 2wd and Auto 4x4 settings. I tried 4 lo one time just to see if it would do it. It did.

I had a Colorado long before that. That vehicle actually went off road. Basically the same user experience: 4lo one time just for shits and giggles

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > HoustonRunner 09/22/2020 at 06:56

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I’m glad Oppo helped you out :)

4lo is for turning on once a year just to engage the transfer case, drive 15 feet, and turn off. 

newnamesameme > HoustonRunner 09/22/2020 at 07:05

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There are many folks here that are FAR more experienced and knowledgeable about off-roading than me but, fwiw, i spend a lot of times in the mountains and desert off pavement and i almost never use 4L on my Xterra.

My goal is to hike/backpack and not rock crawl for the sake of rock crawling and so i am able to get to/from basically all trailheads in 4H and like 2nd gear.

Good luck!

newnamesameme > HoustonRunner 09/22/2020 at 07:08

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Yeah, this is a good point. I run B lizzaks for winter and KO2's all-terrain during the rest of the year but i also bring a sharp shovel, a snatch s trap, and traction boards  just in case!

HoustonRunner > atfsgeoff 09/22/2020 at 08:26

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I need to check the build codes, but pretty sure it has a locking diff.

HoustonRunner > Ssfancyfresh 09/22/2020 at 08:26

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Thanks, this is good Oppo feedback.

HoustonRunner > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 09/22/2020 at 08:30

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Agree, this is the type of stuff Oppo is great for.  Now I just need to do a thorough check on the vehicle in daytime, and get the dealer to come down $1500 or so.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > HoustonRunner 09/22/2020 at 08:32

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Everyone else seems to to have the 4wd debate covered. As for the hitch...if you don’t tow anything and only need a hitch for a bike rack  a hitch should pretty much be a bolt in part. Wiring the trailer lights and brake controller is the difficult part of hitch installation.

HoustonRunner > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 09/22/2020 at 08:45

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It definitely has a hitch and built in connector for lights, but the towing package comes with trailer brake controller, bigger transmission cooler, and maybe a couple of other items to get capacity from 6k to 8k.

Agree on usage though...I had a Suburban for the past three years, and towed zero things.

Cash Rewards > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 09/22/2020 at 08:50

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But where would he fit all that in a car this size?

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > HoustonRunner 09/22/2020 at 09:16

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Ah...I thought “no trailering package” meant “no hitch”.

6k is still plenty of towing capacity too. Even if you do get a boat, most of those trailers use surge brakes, so no brake controller is used anyways lol.

Shoop > HoustonRunner 09/22/2020 at 09:33

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4lo is for plowing, and for pulling your boat up a slippery boat trailer. 

jeepoftheseus > HoustonRunner 09/22/2020 at 09:35

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I think you’ve got your answers but I’ll chime in. I’ve rarely needed to use 4Lo on any of my vehicles outside of farm use. I’ve had our Suburban in 4Lo in some mucky fields just to be safe and when pulling something out that’s been stuck. Times outside of farm use have been due to my own stupidity and knowing that I had 4Lo to save me. Not things that a sane person would do in a late model family truckster.

Basically, you should be fine with just 4Hi. Nice to see a ‘burb with some color too!

HoustonRunner > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 09/22/2020 at 09:36

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DEFINITELY NO BOAT (used that as the amusing example). The only thing I can think of towing right now is the 250lb go kart we have, or potentially the E28 if I wanted to take it somewhere. That is right about 3k, so I think I could get by towing it pretty easily.

Not to mention my dad has a Ram EcoDiesel (can two 8k) and my brother in law has a 2000 Suburban 2500 (can tow at least 10k) . So yeah, I don’t think I need to worry about towing.

Wacko > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's 09/22/2020 at 09:42

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Mud.

HoustonRunner > Cash Rewards 09/22/2020 at 09:42

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It can all go between the twin 10 year old boys in the third row.  Way back is for suitcases, cooler, and ski boots.

HoustonRunner > jeepoftheseus 09/22/2020 at 09:43

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Thanks, even with the other replies I’m happy to get more opinions, that is what makes Oppo great.

Future next gen S2000 owner > HoustonRunner 09/22/2020 at 09:47

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You won’t regret only having 4 high. Especially if you are staying on icy and snow covered roads. If you need 4 low on the highway, just stay at your hotel.

Also, as you won’t use it often, put it in 4 high every couple of months for a mile or two. You need to exercise the diffs and all that or the seals go bad. You don’t want it to fail at the wrong time.

I only use 4 low when navigating some tricky stuff getting firewood or when I was pulling the boat out of the water in the Tacoma.

You’ll be fine. A set of winter wheels/tires would be a good idea if you can swing it. They make a world of difference.

atfsgeoff > HoustonRunner 09/22/2020 at 09:56

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If so, outstanding 

benn454 > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 09/22/2020 at 09:58

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 The saddest part is that the Traverse is about the same size and is even worse. 

benn454 > HoustonRunner 09/22/2020 at 10:17

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The only times I’ve had to use 4 low were getting across a ditch and pushing through snow in my driveway after a blizzard buried my truck up to the headlights. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > HoustonRunner 09/22/2020 at 13:30

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This was the backside of my initial if you have to ask take. Beyond already really knowing if you’re doing stuff to need it, the approach to the idea you might start needing it is centered around how rough do you really want to treat the shiny $30k+ family truckster and how you feel about a bunch of desert pinstripes running down the side of it.

As a practical matter, the rear bumper can be long ways away on a suburban and the front air dam together in newer ones tend to pretty limiting factors. All the Border Patrol suburbans and Tahoes around the borderland get a 2" lift, taller aggressive off road tires and have the front facia cutoff below the level of the impact beam before playing the dirt on-duty.