Hill Descent Control?
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: California
Hill Descent Control?
I am looking into a 2011 F250. The one I have found has everything I want on it except Hill Descent Control. IE- this truck is a 4x4 but not a fx4. I would be planning on putting on Rancho 9000xl and dual steering stabilizer within the first month of owning as well. How many of you have used this feature besides Epic and is it worth holding out for? Thank you
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 257
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From: Sterling, Colorado
I've got it on my FX4, and I've played with it quite a bit while off-roading... and to be real honest, I'm not sure I'll ever use it again. I've found that I can get better control using the correct gearing.
If you put it in 4-low and lock it in 1st gear, even on the most steep of grades you'll never pass about 2mph... if you want to go faster, just manually select higher gears until you hit the speed you want -- want to go slower again, just downshift.
It 'sounds' like a cool feature, and there may be a rare surprise situation where it may come in handy -- but if know how to properly use your tranny and transfer case, I just dont think you'll ever miss not having it.
YMMV
If you put it in 4-low and lock it in 1st gear, even on the most steep of grades you'll never pass about 2mph... if you want to go faster, just manually select higher gears until you hit the speed you want -- want to go slower again, just downshift.
It 'sounds' like a cool feature, and there may be a rare surprise situation where it may come in handy -- but if know how to properly use your tranny and transfer case, I just dont think you'll ever miss not having it.
YMMV
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Spokane, WA
In my opinion it is unnecessary and unsafe. It works below 10-12mph, but just above that mine would "let go", it'd creep up over 15mph and then seemingly just shut itself off. I had to take over at that point or it'd have just been a run away truck.
I was testing it out on a very steep gravel road with lots of washboard. Never felt in control as the rear was bouncing all over and the computer just seemed to be tapping the brakes.
I made a third run down the hill, just using the manual shift and everything felt fine.
Doesn't fx4 also get you the ELD in the rear? If so, that is worth having.
I was testing it out on a very steep gravel road with lots of washboard. Never felt in control as the rear was bouncing all over and the computer just seemed to be tapping the brakes.
I made a third run down the hill, just using the manual shift and everything felt fine.
Doesn't fx4 also get you the ELD in the rear? If so, that is worth having.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
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I personally don't like it...too unpredictable...if you get to a grade that it thinks isn't very steep it just let's go on it's own or you can't get it to activate unless it thinks it's on a steep enough grade..."cool" feature but will I use it ever again...nope, do I want that time of my life back trying to get it to work...absolutely!
Ps the electronic locking diff is worth having as said previously
Ps the electronic locking diff is worth having as said previously
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 257
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From: Sterling, Colorado
+1
Now that they offer it, I would never own a Super Duty without it!
Now that they offer it, I would never own a Super Duty without it!
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I don't have the HDA and don't miss it since I've never had such a feature but the ELD is a great option that I do have.
Doesn't get used as often as the 4x4 but it helps when needed.
Doesn't get used as often as the 4x4 but it helps when needed.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Maryland
The FX4 package gets you worthless "Rancho" shocks, max spring rates, skid plates and the HDC. The hill descent system is basically worthless unless you are too lazy to press the brake pedal yourself. As stated previously it is too unpredictable for me. The anti-lock brake system will work just the same with your foot controlling the pedal vs. the computer.
If I had it to do over again, I would not get the FX4 package and spend that money on decent shocks and maybe steering stabilizers.
If I had it to do over again, I would not get the FX4 package and spend that money on decent shocks and maybe steering stabilizers.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
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Hill assist is only an SRW thing if I remember correctly.
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I played around with the Hill Descent a bit last winter and found it handy on steep hills where you want to reliniquish the braking responsibility so you can do an Irish jig with your feet 
If it were an option on my Jeeps I used for off road, I would get it. Otherwise, it's another bell and whistle just waiting to break.
The ELD is another story. Very handy.
If it were an option on my Jeeps I used for off road, I would get it. Otherwise, it's another bell and whistle just waiting to break.
The ELD is another story. Very handy.