driving down hill with a 4x4
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 379
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From: Shawnee , KS
driving down hill with a 4x4
Quick question...
What's the best method for driving down a very slippery hill when you have 4wd? So far I found it best to push in my clutch and feather the brake.
I almost lost the truck in 4wd while applying the brake but also with power applied to the wheels...thankfully my gran turismo skills saved me.
What's the best method for driving down a very slippery hill when you have 4wd? So far I found it best to push in my clutch and feather the brake.
I almost lost the truck in 4wd while applying the brake but also with power applied to the wheels...thankfully my gran turismo skills saved me.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
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when ever i decend down a hill offroading i shift into lowrange first gear and let it easy down the hill on its own....
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,548
Likes: 5,589
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
same here. as low a gear as i can get it into to keep the wheels from breaking traction and sliding, and use a little brakes as possible.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
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From: North Dakota
Same concept, sorta, pick a gear that ur tires are not turning slower than the pickup wants to go.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Joppa, Maryland
and slow down before you get to the hill, because trying to stop or slow down quickly is going to send you spinning.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: NC
Well, I can tell you after growing up in Maine and spending plenty of time descending snow covered roads, hitting the brakes was always the last thing I did, the fact that you have a five speed and can downshift is the way to go. Shifting into reverse and dumping the clutch will do more to help you out of a sliding situation than hitting the brakes will do. Thats all my opinion, feel free to bash away......
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: NC
You are right, I think, but I was referring to if you were sliding with the brakes on, your wheels would not be rotating, you could get reverse then...
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: utica il
makes sense. never had to do it, i was always more of a hammer down and eff it kind of guy 
....... or i would aim for the ditch, 38's would grab some traction and i'd be good. never could really downshift for situations like that with 3.55 gears, 38's and the zf. too big of gaps between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for it too do much more than lock em up.
....... or i would aim for the ditch, 38's would grab some traction and i'd be good. never could really downshift for situations like that with 3.55 gears, 38's and the zf. too big of gaps between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for it too do much more than lock em up.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
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From: North Dakota
Nope, you can get a zf to hit reverse when your going forward, but you have to pop it in second first(easiest way I've found anyways)
I got it down pretty good. I was practicing my 180 skilz the other day
I got it down pretty good. I was practicing my 180 skilz the other day
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
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I deal daily with icy hills up here and the best thing I figured out for doing it was to slow down before I get to the hill, put her in second gear and lightly tap the brakes on the way down. I drive some pretty icy hills that are pretty steep usually 4 times a day and have been doing it for 4 years with this method and have had yet to even come close to getting into an accident.
New User
Joined: Oct 2010
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You might actually try it before you post it, cause you try that and you will go down an icy hill FASTER then just letting it roll in 3rd gear. I know you read it on pirate or some other such place full of fail but hey what the heck I am sure if them guys tried ti it must work right?
Someone else posted it, the ONLY way to make it safely down a hill is hit the top as slow as you can and then be in a gear that is holding engine rpms in optimun range at that speed. I.E. on a gass motor about 2500 plus or minue 500