Pulling....forward or reverse
#1
#3
The gears in your differentials are designed to be stronger in a forward direction. Pulling in reverse=more likely to break teeth in ring and pinion. That is what I have been told anyway!
#5
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: On the Edge of the Desert
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This is true. The ring gear teeth are not symmetric. One side is very steep, (the forward drive side) and one side is slanted, (the reverse/coast side.) applying torque in reverse puts severe stress on the pinion and carrier. Usually it doesn't matter, as it would take a serious load and power to actually break them. Tires will usually spin first. But it is best to pull forward.
#6
The gear design is is just one reason to not pull in reverse and a very good one but The transmission is a bigger issue, 1st gear is designed to take anything the stock engine can throw at it, very rare it fails but reverse is only designed to back up a truck and trailer slowly and more likely to fail.
#7
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#9
If what you are pulling moves freely(trailer, car in ditch, etc) then it doesn't matter. If it is immobile and heavy enough that you could break something on your truck(like pulling stumps), then you should be using something other than your truck.
#10
The gear design is is just one reason to not pull in reverse and a very good one but The transmission is a bigger issue, 1st gear is designed to take anything the stock engine can throw at it, very rare it fails but reverse is only designed to back up a truck and trailer slowly and more likely to fail.
Saying that, I agree about the direction of the ring and pinion gears. Your drivetrain is designed to be stronger moving forward.
#11
I was referring to transmissions in general, some do have a strong reverse but it's often geared higher than first gear and that is harder on the clutch.
#13
#15
High gearing and transmission strength are two seperate issues. Autos are geared high because of the torque multiplication in the convertor. I've had to use low range with an auto, where I wouldn't have to in a manual, to get the truck moving.