Curious if I damaged my transmission due to towing in 4wd

mike2020 · May 16, 2020

Hello all, Im pretty embarrassed to write this, but I was new to pickups in 2017. Always had suvs. Basically I got a 2017 elevation for the purpose to tow an RV. The problem is, I didn't realize that I was supposed to tow in 2wd. Anyway, I towed a 6500 pound rv in 4wd all the way from Delaware to New York at about 65 miles per hour. This is 3 years ago, but it has always bothered me if I messed up my transmission. since then i always tow in 2wd after someone told me. I do notice a hard shift when slowing down (only after towing the vehicle for about 4 hours, even after i disconnect the rv). IF i am not towing, the truck drives great. the other thing i notice is that if i put it in 4wd low, it makes a noise when turning. I dont drive in 4wd low, but I was just testing it out on my street. maybe its normal, i have no idea and no one to ask.

in any case, 3 years ago my neighbor said i likely damaged the transmission when i towed that distance in 4wd on dry roads. do you think I would have noticed something by now (3 years later) or is that hard shifting caused by the mistake i made? Just wondering if i should keep my truck or look into getting another one.

and yes i feel like an ass.

lol

thanks for any advice.

my truck : 2017 gmc elevation 3.5L, 3.42 axle, tow 9200 or so.

beerman07 · May 16, 2020

It’s not so much that you towed in 4WD as it is that you did it on dry roads. You can definitely cause premature wear by using 4WD on dry roads. I could be wrong, but I think if you caused actual damage at the time it would have showed by now.

Turning on dry roads while in 4WD low will cause binding and make a noise.

This applies to all 4WD vehicles(suv or truck).

diyer2 · May 16, 2020

IMO

If you would have done damage it would ahve showed up by now.

Change the drivel line fluids.

ftwhite · May 16, 2020

The damage would more likely be in the transfer case, and not the transmission. Going straight on freeways in 4hi won't do much more than generate heat and break down oil life. Turning on dry pavement will bind up the front wheels and could cause axel or gear damage. But like previous responses, if it runs still, it didn't do much damage. if you haven't changed the transfer case oil since then, I would.