NPS Definition of 4WD vs CT Off-road Mode

[FutureBoy]

Recently I was reading about how the National Park Service is starting to levy fines on people that drive vehicles that don't meet their specific definition of 4WD on trails that are designated 4WD only. On the NPS site I see such a rule on this page: Four-Wheel Drive Determination

The key definition is as follows:

DEFINITION

A four wheel drive vehicle is defined as a sport utility vehicle (SUV) or truck with at least 15-inch tire rims and at least eight inches of clearance from the lowest point of the frame, body, suspension, or differential to the ground. Four wheel drive vehicles have a transfer case between the front and rear axles that locks the front and rear drive shafts together when four wheel drive is engaged. All wheel drive (AWD) vehicles do not meet this definition.

So my question is around how they would treat the CT at various levels on such trails. Does the CT off-road mode qualify as being 4WD? Or are all the CT drivers just out of luck for those 4WD trails? If we can't drive those trails now, perhaps DOGE might bring about some change on that front?

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[CarMan ElecTruck]

Software may be able to accomplish this.

…drive all the wheels all the time.

 

[mongo]

Recently I was reading about how the National Park Service is starting to levy fines on people that drive vehicles that don't meet their specific definition of 4WD on trails that are designated 4WD only. On the NPS site I see such a rule on this page: Four-Wheel Drive Determination

The key definition is as follows:



So my question is around how they would treat the CT at various levels on such trails. Does the CT off-road mode qualify as being 4WD? Or are all the CT drivers just out of luck for those 4WD trails? If we can't drive those trails now, perhaps DOGE might bring about some change on that front?

The intent of the definition is that one axle set (front or rear) can still exert torque when the other (rear or front) has lost traction.
Especially in cases when the (front/rear) have open differentials versus locking or limited slip.

Cybertruck AWD/ Beast do not have a traditional center differential, but the independent front/ rear motors serve the same function.

If you lift one of the front/rear wheels off the ground, can the vehicle still move? If so, it's 4WD. Bonus points if it will move with a lack of traction on one tire on each axle (due in part to surface conditions, not having diagonal free air).

 

[SlegMD]

But the question is does the CT satisfy the distinction to avoid the fine

 

[mongo]

But the question is does the CT satisfy the distinction to avoid the fine

The spirit or the letter?
Justification section :

Four wheel drive vehicles provide the minimum necessary mechanical advantage to negotiate these types of road conditions and obstacles.

The conclusion section:

Four wheel drive vehicles generally have higher clearance and the drive train capability to negotiate road obstacles on backcountry roads within Arches and Canyonlands national parks. This capability enhances visitor safety and resource protection. Therefore, four wheel drive motor vehicles are required on the following roads:

The point is the drivetrain capability (power to axle regardless of other axle's traction), the implementation itself should not matter.

 

[SlegMD]

I’ll be sure to let NPS know Mongo from the CT forum has confirmed that the CT does indeed exceed their criteria for 4x4 and that their citation is unnecessary.
By the way I agree that the CT meets the specifications I’m just wary of the governing body to make the distinction

 

[CyberGus]

By the way I agree that the CT meets the specifications I’m just wary of the governing body to make the distinction

I would argue that a "transfer case" is a relic of ICE vehicles. EVs employ multiple independent motors, and perform the equivalent functionality in software.

 

[mongo]

I’ll be sure to let NPS know Mongo from the CT forum has confirmed that the CT does indeed exceed their criteria for 4x4 and that their citation is unnecessary.
By the way I agree that the CT meets the specifications I’m just wary of the governing body to make the distinction

Note that they didn't define transfer case.
Thus one can call the rear to front power/comms ribbon cable (with holder) a transfer case and be fully compliant.
?

 

[FutureBoy]

I was really concerned not so much about what the CT has capability wise but more along the idea of what a government agent might believe define as being the capability of the CT.

But I just went back to the basics and found this: Cybertruck Offroad Guide

Here are the 2 key areas I found in the guide:

WHAT MAKES CYBERTRUCK SO CAPABLE OFF ROAD:
• FOUR-WHEEL STEERING
• STEER-BY-WIRE
• INSTANT, LINEAR, AND PREDICTABLE TORQUE
• ADAPTIVE DAMPING
• ADJUSTABLE AIR SPRINGS
• FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKERS

And

DIFFERENTIAL LOCKERS:
CYBERTRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS FOR INCREASED PERFORMANCE AND STABILITY DURING LOW-TRACTION AND OFF-ROAD CONDITIONS (EX: DRIVING ON ROCKY OR DIRT ROADS).

LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS LOCK BOTH WHEELS OF AN AXLE TOGETHER, WHICH FORCES THE WHEELS TO ROTATE AT THE SAME SPEED. THIS DISTRIBUTES THE TORQUE ACROSS THE SAME AXLE BASED ON THE AVAILABLE TRACTION IN EACH WHEEL. WHEN ONE OF THE LOCKED WHEELS HAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED TRACTION (ON SAND, ICE, ETC.) MORE TORQUE IS APPLIED TO THE WHEEL WITH GREATER TRACTION. IN EXTREME CASES, SUCH AS WHEN ONE WHEEL IS IN THE AIR, ALL AVAILABLE TORQUE IS SENT TO THE WHEEL ON THE GROUND WITH TRACTION. THIS DISTRIBUTION OF TORQUE HELPS THE VEHICLE CONTINUE MOVING IN LOW TRACTION ENVIRONMENTS.

NOTE: DO NOT USE LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGH-TRACTION SURFACES, SUCH AS ASPHALT.

WARNING: DRIVING WITH LOCKED DIFFERENTIALS MAY REDUCE VEHICLE RESPONSE TO STEERING AND CAUSE UNPREDICTABLE VEHICLE DYNAMICS.

This doesn't really deal directly with the transfer case as talked about in the NPS document. But There is no mention here of AWD and it is very clear to call out the existence of locking differentials. My hope would be that NPS would be fine with that.

On a side note, this is the first I've seen of the off-road guide. A few pages later there is also a picture of the controls showing that we can set the locking diffs to Rear On or All On.

Then listed on page 15 of the document we get this nugget:

Seeing this doc for the first time I'm much happier with the idea of going pretty much anywhere I would be comfortable or even find a bit challenging in my CT. If the government wants to fine me, I'll just pull up these specs.

 

[CyberGus]

When asked, say that it has a "digital transfer case"

 

[L3it3R]

The document is requiring a traditionally single engined vehicle to have a way to lock the power delivery between axels. Since each axel is independently powered and has locking differentials (AWD’s physical, beast’s virtual), I’d say this would fit the requirements. Not a chance they deny a quad motor truck because ‘no physical locker between all 4 motors…’ so 2 or 3 should be no different especially since the CT has lockers

 

[SentinelOne]

more than defensible and the govt agent would have to be a **** to issue a fine!

 

[FutureBoy]

more than defensible and the govt agent would have to be a **** to issue a fine!

Um.... Have you met many government agents? Especially those out on the loose with very little public oversight?

 

[dalton108]

Um.... Have you met many government agents? Especially those out on the loose with very little public oversight?

I used to be one. OSHA Compliance Officer and now I represent clients against them (among other things). I had reputation for being very thorough. ?

I think it’s unlikely that you would be fined and if you were I’m confident that you could easily defend.

You kinda have to consider how this would happen. Typically it’s going to be because you got stuck and the government has had to expend money to get you out which is why this exist in the first place. Also, if somebody saw you and didn’t like it they would probably just ask you to leave.

If for some reason you were involved in a spot inspection the advice that you’ve been given is correct. “This is an EV and as I understand it, it has all the equipment I need to allow me to operate it in this area.”

You don’t need to argue and you don’t need to convince anybody. If they insist on issuing something take it and appeal you have due process rights.

No sane administrative law judge is going to make you pay a fine under the circumstances. That could cost you some of your time but I wouldn’t let the off chance of you getting some renegade enforcement officer keep you from doing what you want to do with the truck.

Note: I am not your lawyer. I’m not sharing with you any legal advice. If anything I’m sharing my experience as a former inspector/bureaucrat.

 

[SentinelOne]

Um.... Have you met many government agents? Especially those out on the loose with very little public oversight?

I dirt bike and do some off-road in the rockies, yeah they can be jerks but most of the time they're not and it's a capable truck and they're not going to know one way or the other what it's specs are....I would personally have zero concern....that's just me.

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