National Park Service Will Cite Drivers of AWD Cars For Driving on 4WD-Only Trails

[PSUTE]

As one Subaru Crosstrek owner recently learned the hard way, it bears repeating that all-wheel drive is not the same as four-wheel drive. A Subie owner posted a warning letter they received a month after driving on Colorado River Overlook Road in Canyonlands National Park to the r/NationalPark subreddit. The letter notes that this particular road is restricted to 4WD vehicles only, and the Crosstrek is equipped with AWD, not 4WD. It also warns that they may face serious consequences if they’re caught taking an AWD car on a 4WD-only trail again.

The letter gently reminds the Crosstrek owner that future violations may incur a collateral forfeiture, a fine up to $5,000, up to six months imprisonment, and/or other penalties. While the difference between AWD and 4WD may seem like a pedantic argument, it’s an important distinction that could potentially save lives on technically challenging and isolated trails. Sure, the Crosstrek was able to successfully traverse this particular road, but the vehicle restrictions are in place for a reason, and they are enforceable. Despite wilderness-themed marketing tactics, vehicles equipped with AWD have very different capabilities than vehicles equipped with 4WD despite sharing a similar nomenclature.

The most consequential distinction between AWD systems and more capable 4WD systems is that most vehicles equipped with 4WD have one or more locking differentials that massively aid in off-road traction. While AWD systems are great for increasing driver confidence on slippery road surfaces and in light off-roading, they are easily flummoxed in more challenging off-road terrain, especially low-speed and low-traction situations.


Locking the differential on a vehicle’s axle forces an even application of power to each wheel. Some AWD systems have brake-based limited-slip differentials, but these are still no substitute for locking differentials in traditional 4WD systems. A vehicle’s wheels are normally able to spin at different speeds when its differentials are not locked, which allows a wheel with no traction to spin freely while the wheel with traction does nothing. This could cause an AWD vehicle to get stuck in a spot that a 4WD vehicle with locking differentials could easily drive out of.

While experience, skill and a litany of other factors play into an off-roader’s likelihood of getting stuck, the National Park Service just wants to keep all visitors safe. For reference, neither Subaru, Tesla, Honda, Hyundai nor Kia make any 4WD vehicles. Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep and more make some AWD vehicles and some 4WD vehicles. If you’re planning to visit a national park soon and aren’t sure if your vehicle has AWD or 4WD, research it to be safe, and avoid a citation.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/new...n&cvid=559f70e7a19642d493c30d37ab2a7573&ei=23

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[EasternSierra]

Having high/low range is the dead giveaway. Lots of 4WD vehicles come without locking differentials, at least in base form, including the lowest trim of Bronco.

 

[MNBigfoot]

Oh my, by their explanation of a 4WD system, my 2004 F150 4x4 wouldn't be allowed to go there.

 

[SierraBronco]

What if a driver has both but doesn’t know the difference? Whoever enforces this revenue generation scheme can get wrecked

 

[jofer]

Just for clarity, their definition has nothing to do with locking front or rear diff differentials.

They're defining a part time 4wd system and requiring that with low range. In that case, there is no center differential, so the _center_ differential is what's locked.

Any bronco would meet that definition. So would more or less any 4wd pickup.

However, there quite capable systems that would not meet it.

In practice, they likely only really care about having 4-low and aren't concerned with it specifically being a traditional part-time 4wd system.

 

[focaloca95]

Funny how this thread is loaded with Subaru Crosstrek ads.

 

[CarGuy]

This is AWD, albeit it has a 2-speed transfer case and diff locks.

 

[RallyGorgo]

Hmm, per Toyota, my son’s Lexus GX470 is AWD but it has a locking center diff and a hi/lo range transfer case. Technically he could catch some crap from some rangers as it’s AWD and NOT 4WD.

On a side note, it would have been nice if Ford had put this kind of setup in our Broncos rather than the clutch mechanism that’s supposed to emulate AWD when using 4A.

 

[NC_Pinz]

4WD or a locking center diff will yield less wheel spin and a more capable vehicle on a technical trail. They are targeting those soft roaders that have to use speed and wheel spin to make it through technical trails. 4Lo just aids in reducing trail damage and better insuring you don't get stuck or put yourself in a bad position that necessitates help to get out.

 

[Fordified1]

My lifted AWD Explorer was very capable and rarely slipped a tire. Was hard on the transfer cases’ viscous coupler though.
There’s a ton of 4wd vehicles that do not have locking or even limited-slip differentials that aren’t as capable. See them buried up at the beach every now and then. Usually left front and right rear buried.
Maybe the forest service is targeting front drive based AWD vehicles?

I really believe they are just full of shit and really don’t know anything about anything mechanical. Driver skill has way more influence on trail damage than AWD vs 4WD.

 

[JerryC]

A Bronco Sport Badlands is AWD with a locking rear diff.

I wonder how they categorize that.

 

[indio22]

As one Subaru Crosstrek owner recently learned the hard way, it bears repeating that all-wheel drive is not the same as four-wheel drive. A Subie owner posted a warning letter they received a month after driving on Colorado River Overlook Road in Canyonlands National Park to the r/NationalPark subreddit. The letter notes that this particular road is restricted to 4WD vehicles only, and the Crosstrek is equipped with AWD, not 4WD. It also warns that they may face serious consequences if they’re caught taking an AWD caron a 4WD-only trail again.

The letter gently reminds the Crosstrek owner that future violations may incur a collateral forfeiture, a fine up to $5,000, up to six months imprisonment, and/or other penalties. While the difference between AWD and 4WD may seem like a pedantic argument, it’s an important distinction that could potentially save lives on technically challenging and isolated trails. Sure, the Crosstrek was able to successfully traverse this particular road, but the vehicle restrictions are in place for a reason, and they are enforceable. Despite wilderness-themed marketing tactics, vehicles equipped with AWD have very different capabilities than vehicles equipped with 4WD despite sharing a similar nomenclature.

reddit-thread-undefined

The most consequential distinction between AWD systems and more capable 4WD systems is that most vehicles equipped with 4WD have one or more locking differentials that massively aid in off-road traction. While AWD systems are great for increasing driver confidence on slippery road surfaces and in light off-roading, they are easily flummoxed in more challenging off-road terrain, especially low-speed and low-traction situations.


Locking the differential on a vehicle’s axle forces an even application of power to each wheel. Some AWD systems have brake-based limited-slip differentials, but these are still no substitute for locking differentials in traditional 4WD systems. A vehicle’s wheels are normally able to spin at different speeds when its differentials are not locked, which allows a wheel with no traction to spin freely while the wheel with traction does nothing. This could cause an AWD vehicle to get stuck in a spot that a 4WD vehicle with locking differentials could easily drive out of.

While experience, skill and a litany of other factors play into an off-roader’s likelihood of getting stuck, the National Park Service just wants to keep all visitors safe. For reference, neither Subaru, Tesla, Honda, Hyundai nor Kia make any 4WD vehicles. Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep and more make some AWD vehicles and some 4WD vehicles. If you’re planning to visit a national park soon and aren’t sure if your vehicle has AWD or 4WD, research it to be safe, and avoid a citation.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/new...n&cvid=559f70e7a19642d493c30d37ab2a7573&ei=23

That's a load of rubbish especially the locking diff part. But in terms of the park service increasingly wanting to control and limit access, this all makes sense. Eventually they'll have virtual park access, where you sit home and watch videos of trails.

 

[P52Ranch]

It appears the off road 4WD rules differ by park. For Canyonlands National Park the rule includes high clearance and low range 4WD. The Subaru was at Canyonlands.
From the Canyonlands NPS website.

 

[dgorsett]

It appears the off road 4WD rules differ by park. For Canyonlands National Park the rule includes high clearance and low range 4WD. The Subaru was at Canyonlands.
From the Canyonlands NPS website.

The Needles area behind Elephant Hill is no place for a Bronco Sort or Subi

 

[P52Ranch]

A Bronco Sport Badlands is AWD with a locking rear diff.

I wonder how they categorize that.

The Bronco Sport “Locking rear differential “ does not meet the Canyonlands requirements. They require a low range transfer case.

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