Pulling....forward or reverse
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 392
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From: Listowel, Ont.
Pulling....forward or reverse
So what's the best way to pull stuff.....in forward or reverse?
I know 4 wheel low for the hard and heavy pulls but what direction is easier on the drive train?
The answers I get from my circle of friends is about 50....50
I know 4 wheel low for the hard and heavy pulls but what direction is easier on the drive train?
The answers I get from my circle of friends is about 50....50
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,173
Likes: 8,037
From: Texas
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!
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: W. Central FL.
I've always heard this, too.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,679
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From: On the Edge of the Desert
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.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,113
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From: Iowa
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.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Rogersville, TN
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Rogersville, TN
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.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 546
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From: VA- Shenandoah Valley
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.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Iowa
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.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: On the Edge of the Desert
I never understood why that is. IMO reverse should be as low or lower than 1st
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Rogersville, TN
The zf5 has a 5.72 1st and a 5.24 reverse, so not much of a difference on the manuals.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 546
Likes: 30
From: VA- Shenandoah Valley
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.