Rolling back on a hill you can't climb, put it in neutral, or?

[JAsh1967]

So I'm still a newbie off-roader, all my experiences so far have been a local ORV park or some flat, sandy trails up north. The ORV park has some hill climb sections (some are more "rock climb" with cement blocks / chunks) and I've watched people trying to climb the hills and not making it.

Now my question is, if I try to tackle one of these climbs (NOT the rock climb!) and the wheels start spinning partway up, what's the best, safest, least likely to damage the transmission system, way to back down? Leave it in drive and let it roll back, using the brakes and the transmission trying to push it up the hill (might be hard on the clutch?) Put it in neutral and just use the brakes (and do I need to put both the 4-wheel and 2-wheel shifters into neutral? Plus, I would expect this is harder on the brakes.)

Some notes, my Glad is an automatic, no lift, Sport S. I'm also presuming I'm at least NOT getting hung up in a rut with the axle resting on the ground, keeping me from moving as that's a whole different ball of wax to get out of (winches, tow straps and someone else, traction boards...)

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[shooterrex]

If you read your owner's manual. There is a button to push in 4low that let's the truck lower you in reverse without touching the brake or gas pedal. It will also let you set the rate of movement with the gear shift. It also works going up hill. Only works in 4 low and on an incline.

 

[Gvsukids]

Now my question is, if I try to tackle one of these climbs (NOT the rock climb!) and the wheels start spinning partway up, what's the best, safest, least likely to damage the transmission system, way to back down?

Great question to research before ending up stuck in this situation. You can shift into reverse and back down, you don't need to touch the 4x4 shifter. You can also let the vehicle roll a little bit backwards and try the obstacle with a little more momentum.

If you read your owner's manual. There is a button to push in 4low that let's the truck lower you in reverse without touching the brake or gas pedal. It will also let you set the rate of movement with the gear shift. It also works going up hill. Only works in 4 low and on an incline.

The button you are referring to is off-road cruise control/duck mode. Works great down hill too. Can also be used on flat surfaces.

 

[JAsh1967]

If you read your owner's manual. There is a button to push in 4low that let's the truck lower you in reverse without touching the brake or gas pedal. It will also let you set the rate of movement with the gear shift. It also works going up hill. Only works in 4 low and on an incline.

I did not know (until I was today years old) that the selec-speed control system also does reverse. That certainly would be an easy way to maintain control on the way back down.
Thank you!

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Never. Nevaevaevaevaeva put it in N and let it roll back to the bottom. That’s a good way to send it sideways and start doing somersaults. When you do that you give up the mechanical advantage and gravity takes over. Off-road cruise or if it doesn’t work use the 2 foot method in reverse and just ease er on down. Great question to ask about. Lots of people get it wrong and that feeling of backing down an incline is one of the worst ones on a wheeling excursion.

 

[JLPeekaboo]

So I'm still a newbie off-roader, all my experiences so far have been a local ORV park or some flat, sandy trails up north. The ORV park has some hill climb sections (some are more "rock climb" with cement blocks / chunks) and I've watched people trying to climb the hills and not making it.

Now my question is, if I try to tackle one of these climbs (NOT the rock climb!) and the wheels start spinning partway up, what's the best, safest, least likely to damage the transmission system, way to back down? Leave it in drive and let it roll back, using the brakes and the transmission trying to push it up the hill (might be hard on the clutch?) Put it in neutral and just use the brakes (and do I need to put both the 4-wheel and 2-wheel shifters into neutral? Plus, I would expect this is harder on the brakes.)

Some notes, my Glad is an automatic, no lift, Sport S. I'm also presuming I'm at least NOT getting hung up in a rut with the axle resting on the ground, keeping me from moving as that's a whole different ball of wax to get out of (winches, tow straps and someone else, traction boards...)

The safest, least damaging way to back down is to apply the brakes, come to a complete stop, shift into Reverse, and slowly back straight down using engine braking to control your speed. Never back down in neutral, as you will lose engine braking and overheat your brakes.

 

[Fundamental Jeepster]

When I off road I always use 4L, take my time and try to stay out of that situation. But if I have to back down, it's ALWAYS in gear. Never pop into neutral. You'll drop like a rock. Happy trails.

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