It varies. I generally just switch into 4 HI for the short stretches where I need it when headed home, but I often visit friends who live further in the back country on hairier roads where the camera comes in handy - I just dial up OFF ROAD and turn off the rear locker and disconnect the front...
I moved to Terlingua about 2 1/2 years ago and have never personally encountered anything or anyone that made me feel unsafe. That being said it never hurts to be aware of your surroundings.