A little walking around at the start tends to save a lot more walking around at the end. Soft spots on turns, slippery on rises or falls. Ruts, washouts, over hangs and squeezes. Never seems to not be one of those for any job that's "just a little off the pavement, nothing to worry about". The rare off pavement? Straight line, hard as concrete, wide lane, five acre turn around area or a long sweeping loop. No ruts, holes or loose places, no overhang encroachment, dry but not dusty or washboards, no restriction bridges, equipment starts easily. Excellent cell reception. If you ever see one of those, take a picture. You just found a unicorn site.
Leave that inter-axle in all the time! You’ll get even tire wear and it’s not an issue when you get into tricky situations, also it’s over-all better for your drive line not just power going to the least traction tire! The odds are way higher of breaking something flicking it in and out all the time and it constantly engaging/disengaging
