Descending STEEP Gravel Roads...4WD?

[4Ever]

My 2000 Limited is an auto, and "1" doesn't hold the truck going downhill as effectively as a low gear in a manual transmission (my experience, anyway). This is especially worrisome on dry gravel roads. If you've ever driven the loop road at the National Bison Range in Montana you know what type of road I speak of: in two miles you lose 2000 feet in elevation, the road's twisty and only a couple of places flatten out (for a short distance). Nice view, though, if you take your eyes off the road.

My question is: in that type of situation (dry, loose gravel, steep decline) would using 4WD help slow the truck without resorting to a frequent-and-heavy foot on the brake? It's not a good place to have the brakes heat up, or worse.

I noticed when I had a pickup, if I went down our gravel drive in 4WD pulling a horse trailer, I had more "feet on the ground" and it didn't slide as much.

Trying to learn the best applications for 4WD and Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Bill

 

[Mr. Leary]

Put the transfer case in low range and use 1st or 2nd gear. In 1st, you shouldn't need the brakes much, but you will be poking along. In 2nd, you will need to hit them periodically.

Always use low gears in the situation you described. 4Runner brakes pretty much suck, and not using the engine as a brake is a good way to warp your rotors.

 

[City_Rider]

My 2000 Limited is an auto, and "1" doesn't hold the truck going downhill as effectively as a low gear in a manual transmission (my experience, anyway). This is especially worrisome on dry gravel roads. If you've ever driven the loop road at the National Bison Range in Montana you know what type of road I speak of: in two miles you lose 2000 feet in elevation, the road's twisty and only a couple of places flatten out (for a short distance). Nice view, though, if you take your eyes off the road.

My question is: in that type of situation (dry, loose gravel, steep decline) would using 4WD help slow the truck without resorting to a frequent-and-heavy foot on the brake? It's not a good place to have the brakes heat up, or worse.

I noticed when I had a pickup, if I went down our gravel drive in 4WD pulling a horse trailer, I had more "feet on the ground" and it didn't slide as much.

Trying to learn the best applications for 4WD and Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Bill

4wd might help out a bit, there is going to be more friction on the driveline when it's engaged... Biggest advantage would be to pop it into 4L and go from there. As long as you can stop, get it into 4L, drive your couple miles, stop and put it back in 4H, it will work considerably better than '1' on its own.

 

[004Gunner]

Put the transfer case in low range and use 1st or 2nd gear. In 1st, you shouldn't need the brakes much, but you will be poking along. In 2nd, you will need to hit them periodically.

Always use low gears in the situation you described. 4Runner brakes pretty much suck, and not using the engine as a brake is a good way to warp your rotors.

:iagree: I think 2nd might be a little too quick for what your describing but it's easy enough to shift back and forth between the 2. On slippery descents I always find myself switching between 1st and 2nd rather than tapping the brakes

 

[4Ever]

Thanks all for your advice; I hope to visit Montana again this year and put it into practice.