From what I can tell in the AWD vs 4WD videos, it seems that during the process of traversing rough terrain, the AWD vehicles actually do more surface damage to the trails than the 4WD vehicles. The computers in the AWD vehicles tend to take some time before transferring power from a tire that is spinning, slinging dirt and rocks, and forming a rut. Whereas 4WD vehicles distribute power to all four tires evenly, thus minimizing surface damage to a trail. Am I understanding this correctly? I’ve owned my 2024 Outback Limited XT for coming up on a year, and I absolutely love it! However, I’m kinda enamored with the Wilderness-but not so much with the 26 mpg on the highway, which is why I went with the Limited XT (yeah, that 3 mpg swayed me, PLUS, this XT was the only one on the lot that was being sold below MSRP!!) Love your videos-keep ‘em coming!
@dannymcneal After some more research, it seems that the guy who got that letter from the NPS went on a specific trail that was "4x4 only." But you are correct. AWDs take a little bit more time to distribute power because of their open differentials, which leads to the loss of power when the wheels are spinning. I think it's going to be hard to enforce this rule but I also feel like AWDs have come a long way and are more than capable nowadays especially when people modify their cars (lift kit, more aggressive tires, taking off their bumpers, etc) and you can even add lockers to some AWDs like the outbacks. After going from my Subaru Outback Wilderness to my Ford Raptor, there's just way less drama with going off road. You don't need much power to go off road but gearing is really important. Also wheel articulation is important too. Most easy trails can be done in normal cars but trail conditions are always changing. Even an easy trail can get so difficult after a wash out or when it's raining/snowing. If any new concrete details come out of this or if this turns out to be a non issue in the future, I will make another video to update everyone. A lot of my friends drive AWDs on the trails and all their cars are pretty capable because of mods.
Just because a vehicle is a 4x4 doesn’t mean it has a locking differential. This is a stupid rule, especially for a Wilderness when they have more clearance than a lot of stock 4x4s.
@tbaylo4034 I agree, the Wilderness had excellent ground clearance as a stock car but gearing is just as important. I wonder how they are gonna be able to tell what 4x4s have a locking diff? Some trucks are only 2WD with a locking diff too. I wanna see how this plays out.
Good to know.
@@thiagocaetano8578 need that 4x4 tacoma trd pro
From what I can tell in the AWD vs 4WD videos, it seems that during the process of traversing rough terrain, the AWD vehicles actually do more surface damage to the trails than the 4WD vehicles. The computers in the AWD vehicles tend to take some time before transferring power from a tire that is spinning, slinging dirt and rocks, and forming a rut. Whereas 4WD vehicles distribute power to all four tires evenly, thus minimizing surface damage to a trail. Am I understanding this correctly? I’ve owned my 2024 Outback Limited XT for coming up on a year, and I absolutely love it! However, I’m kinda enamored with the Wilderness-but not so much with the 26 mpg on the highway, which is why I went with the Limited XT (yeah, that 3 mpg swayed me, PLUS, this XT was the only one on the lot that was being sold below MSRP!!) Love your videos-keep ‘em coming!
@dannymcneal After some more research, it seems that the guy who got that letter from the NPS went on a specific trail that was "4x4 only." But you are correct. AWDs take a little bit more time to distribute power because of their open differentials, which leads to the loss of power when the wheels are spinning. I think it's going to be hard to enforce this rule but I also feel like AWDs have come a long way and are more than capable nowadays especially when people modify their cars (lift kit, more aggressive tires, taking off their bumpers, etc) and you can even add lockers to some AWDs like the outbacks. After going from my Subaru Outback Wilderness to my Ford Raptor, there's just way less drama with going off road. You don't need much power to go off road but gearing is really important. Also wheel articulation is important too. Most easy trails can be done in normal cars but trail conditions are always changing. Even an easy trail can get so difficult after a wash out or when it's raining/snowing. If any new concrete details come out of this or if this turns out to be a non issue in the future, I will make another video to update everyone. A lot of my friends drive AWDs on the trails and all their cars are pretty capable because of mods.
@@youraveragejoeadventures - Thanks for an excellent reply-agree with all!!
Just because a vehicle is a 4x4 doesn’t mean it has a locking differential. This is a stupid rule, especially for a Wilderness when they have more clearance than a lot of stock 4x4s.
@tbaylo4034 I agree, the Wilderness had excellent ground clearance as a stock car but gearing is just as important. I wonder how they are gonna be able to tell what 4x4s have a locking diff? Some trucks are only 2WD with a locking diff too. I wanna see how this plays out.
Would you think it's a stupid rule to not let SUBARUS ON THE RUBICON TRAIL???????????? OR ONLY 4x4???????