Locking the center differential in a 4WD vehicle is fine on pavement as long as you don't turn, so forgetting for a small straight of pavement in the middle of the trail is no big deal. Some trails are half dirt road, half long-forgotten pavement, so constantly reaching down can get tiring if one follows that rule verbatim. Snow transitions are similar; your truck would have been fine and I'd just reach down for a dry corner if you can disengage in motion. If not, yeah, bigger concern.
Front axle locker is similar, but with that you feel how difficult it is to steer as soon as you lock it. (In my Wrangler if I'm finding that I need the fronts we are in some serious shit anyway.)
Well, yeah. Mine will bark pretty loudly if you do that but it did survive the one time it happened. Said experience is also why nobody but me sits left seat.
I'd have to find my paperwork but I think such maneuvers are cause to void drivetrain warranty. Chaining the tires is, too, for unrelated reasons.
Front axle locker is similar, but with that you feel how difficult it is to steer as soon as you lock it. (In my Wrangler if I'm finding that I need the fronts we are in some serious shit anyway.)