Heavy Loads in reverse and uphill
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 102
Likes: 45
From: NW Pennsylvania
Heavy Loads in reverse and uphill
This is probably an odd question but I'm going to ask it. i have a new super duty with the 6.7 liter diesel with 3.31 rear. I live on a large piece of property that has a very steep uphill incline to my house. I bought a tow behind trailer, the problem is getting it turned around at the top of the hill. There just isn't enough space and it will be nearly impossible to turn around. I wondered how bad would it be for me to back all that weight up the hill and curve in reverse going slow? The wet weight of the trailer is 8,500 lbs & well within the abilities of the truck, but, its a lot of weigh, its reverse and its steep. Thoughts on how bad it will be on the truck, particularly the transmission, I really have no idea, but I know the strain when baking my old truck up the hill to plow snow and it feeling hard on the truck. I have enough property to park the trailer down below on flatter ground but it would be better for me too have it up at the house at times. The drive is 400' long but only 150' - 200' of it are really steep.
It popped into my head.... low range? Is there a way to have low without 4x4? Probably not, but worth asking..
It popped into my head.... low range? Is there a way to have low without 4x4? Probably not, but worth asking..
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 739
Likes: 393
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 102
Likes: 45
From: NW Pennsylvania
"My only concern with this mod is that you are multiplying the total torque the rear axle sees by the low range ratio of 2.64:1. Keep in mind when using 4-low in stock, 4x4 mode that the torque increase from the low range ratio is split evenly between front and rear axles. I think using this feature gently for low speed parking maneuvers would be OK but I'd keep in mind you are overloading the rear axle with torque."
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
while all true, your load is not that significant and using an easy touch on the go pedal I dont see an issue
That is unless you are a better person at backing up and can do it at 50 mph.
That is unless you are a better person at backing up and can do it at 50 mph.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,693
Likes: 1,012
From: Near Yosemite CA
This was a common mod on the older SD's, I unknowingly fried my trans in my 99 backing up a JD 450 after towing it up the hill home... now whenever I back up a trailer in my '02 or '22 I'm in Low
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 99
Likes: 56
From: Dayton, OH
Unless you have sharp curves you are backing up, why not just use 4 low? If there is any moisture, dirt, gravel etc you will probably want 4WD anyway.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,354
Likes: 4,389
From: SW VA
I read the mod with great interest until I read this quote from @troverman
"My only concern with this mod is that you are multiplying the total torque the rear axle sees by the low range ratio of 2.64:1. Keep in mind when using 4-low in stock, 4x4 mode that the torque increase from the low range ratio is split evenly between front and rear axles. I think using this feature gently for low speed parking maneuvers would be OK but I'd keep in mind you are overloading the rear axle with torque."
"My only concern with this mod is that you are multiplying the total torque the rear axle sees by the low range ratio of 2.64:1. Keep in mind when using 4-low in stock, 4x4 mode that the torque increase from the low range ratio is split evenly between front and rear axles. I think using this feature gently for low speed parking maneuvers would be OK but I'd keep in mind you are overloading the rear axle with torque."
You'll spin a tire before you break something. I use 2-low with my 12k trailer.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
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This is probably an odd question but I'm going to ask it. i have a new super duty with the 6.7 liter diesel with 3.31 rear. I live on a large piece of property that has a very steep uphill incline to my house. I bought a tow behind trailer, the problem is getting it turned around at the top of the hill. There just isn't enough space and it will be nearly impossible to turn around. I wondered how bad would it be for me to back all that weight up the hill and curve in reverse going slow? The wet weight of the trailer is 8,500 lbs & well within the abilities of the truck, but, its a lot of weigh, its reverse and its steep. Thoughts on how bad it will be on the truck, particularly the transmission, I really have no idea, but I know the strain when baking my old truck up the hill to plow snow and it feeling hard on the truck. I have enough property to park the trailer down below on flatter ground but it would be better for me too have it up at the house at times. The drive is 400' long but only 150' - 200' of it are really steep.
It popped into my head.... low range? Is there a way to have low without 4x4? Probably not, but worth asking..
It popped into my head.... low range? Is there a way to have low without 4x4? Probably not, but worth asking..
The ring and pinion are made for going forward under load, not so much in reverse.
If you would need to get the trailer backed up the hill very often, I'd sure be looking for some solution allowing you to pull it forward up the hill.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 116
Likes: 49
From: WA
Is a front mounted hitch out of the question? Or is that too much of a load for the front suspension? Honestly have no idea, just spit balling on that one as I’ve seen trailers moved around parking lots with a front hitch before for better maneuverability in tight spaces. Could solve your problem of getting your trailer up the hill in the direction you want and not stressing anything by being in reverse if it’s possible
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 1,172
From: East TN
As long as your tongue weight is 1,000 lbs. or less this is what I would use: https://torkliftcentral.com/ford-fro...hitch-receiver
I installed one on mine and it has been very handy when maneuvering big and small trailers in tight places, twisty trails, etc.
Coupled with the 2-Lo mod it makes moving heavy stuff much easier.
I installed one on mine and it has been very handy when maneuvering big and small trailers in tight places, twisty trails, etc.
Coupled with the 2-Lo mod it makes moving heavy stuff much easier.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 107
From: Seattle area
The load placed on the rear axle in this case is exactly the same whether you are in high or low range. The force needed to move the combo backwards doesn't care what gear or configuration you are in. Pushing 20klbs takes the exact same rear wheel torque regardless of engine power or speed.
The only difference is the rpm and speed range of the engine and transmission. Considering the sustained very low speed desired when backing long uphill, high range will have a low rpm with the TC slipping to keep speed down, and low range will have a higher RPM with the TC locked to maintain that same slow speed. In this case, 2LO is absolutely better on the truck than 2HI.
And don't sweat the reverse side gear concern - this is low speed, low temp, low duration. If you were pulling interstate grades at full power and speed for miles and miles (in reverse) it might be a concern - but there is no concern for this case.
The only difference is the rpm and speed range of the engine and transmission. Considering the sustained very low speed desired when backing long uphill, high range will have a low rpm with the TC slipping to keep speed down, and low range will have a higher RPM with the TC locked to maintain that same slow speed. In this case, 2LO is absolutely better on the truck than 2HI.
And don't sweat the reverse side gear concern - this is low speed, low temp, low duration. If you were pulling interstate grades at full power and speed for miles and miles (in reverse) it might be a concern - but there is no concern for this case.
