zetecr
Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 50
 
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| Best settings/strategy for tackling a muddy slope? |
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I was on a trail a couple days back and underestimated a muddy slope. Had it in Mud & Ruts mode and Low Range, but the car slowed to a stop (TC robbing power) about 2/3rds of the way up, then started to wheel spin. I selected reverse at this point and attempted to come back down, but the thing was just about uncontrollable down the slope and only by sheer luck narrowly avoided clouting the bank on the right hand side.
Fortunately, I was able to turn around and un-clog the tyres (Grabber AT2s), deflate to around 18psi then successfully re-attempted the climb with more momentum.
The experience taught me 2 things:
Lesson 1: Never underestimate the momentum required to tackle a muddy climb.
Lesson 2: HDC is powerless when the tyres are clogged with mud.
Further lessons from people with experience please...
Lesson 3: DSC should be [ON/OFF - please tick one]
Lesson 4: ??
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 Wed Jul 09 2008 11:02am |
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catweasel
Joined: 05 May 2006
Location: LONDON
Posts: 4048
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3/ off
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| Wed Jul 09 2008 12:48pm |
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CFB
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Location: In't North somewhere....
Posts: 2352
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Definately turn off the DSC on slippery climbs, it does rob power when you need it most. I find that TR and DSC off works best if it is really muddy. TDV6 HSE Auto - Arctic Frost
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| Wed Jul 09 2008 6:32pm |
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AndrewS
Tarquin of the Desert
Joined: 06 May 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 5991
 
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Set the gravity setting as low as you can, this will slow the speed of the decent should you fail the climb. Depends on the terrain you are on. For instance an open steep field (no ruts), select rock crawl. The diffs will lock up quicker. The advantage of this is, if you were to fail the climb all 4 wheels will be rotating in the same direction, the good thing about this is the vehicle will descend in a straight line. If the diffs don't lock you may find that the front wheels that don't have much weight on them and will actually spin in reverse  thereby possibly causing the car the slew sideways. If you are in deep ruts that the vehicle cant escape from the best thing to do would be to spend hours trying all the settings then tell us what you found the most successful. 
I try it in Sand as you may need to get your momentum going at the start of the climb if the DSC cuts in and kills the power, try again with it off. For use of a 4x4 site and driver training pm me 
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| Wed Jul 09 2008 7:29pm |
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AndrewS
Tarquin of the Desert
Joined: 06 May 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 5991
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AndrewS wrote: wheels that don't have much weight on them and will actually spin in reverse thereby possibly causing the car the slew sideways.
Slow this down while you watch it. You will see the rear wheels of both vehicles actually reverse as the vehicle weight comes off them. It is more noticeable about 2/3 of the way down. 48 seconds in check the 110's rear wheels. The disco was in mud and ruts the 110 was in low range no centre diff lock. Not the correct way to tackle a drop off.
http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albums/use...0ginag.WMV For use of a 4x4 site and driver training pm me
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| Wed Jul 09 2008 9:53pm |
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CFB
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Location: In't North somewhere....
Posts: 2352
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One other thing you can do is to accelerate down the slope if you are losing grip. Takes some nerve but it works if you are in low 1st and will often help regain traction. In my Defender it is often the best way. TDV6 HSE Auto - Arctic Frost
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| Wed Jul 09 2008 10:09pm |
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AndrewS
Tarquin of the Desert
Joined: 06 May 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 5991
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CFB wrote:One other thing you can do is to accelerate down the slope .
Yes in an ideal world  but not when there is another big drop off with a hoofting rock in it For use of a 4x4 site and driver training pm me
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| Wed Jul 09 2008 10:15pm |
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warrior22
Joined: 06 Apr 2008
Location: All over the soddin' place!
Posts: 190
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Anecdote about losing traction and starting to slide backwards;
In Transylvania, offroad over the alps. Bit of rain and attempted to go up a pretty steep slope on an open hillside. Short grass. Underestimated weight of exped kit in back of Defender and on roof. Lost traction. Started sliding backwards and begins to head horizontal - not good!. Long way down. Co-driver opens door and gives me farewell look! (Tosser) Tell him to hang fire. Slam it into reverse, full lock left and give it a quick burst. Landy 180's perfectly avoiding inevitable rollover! What a hero. Looked cool. I sh*t myself!
Moral of the story; Never underestimate the laws of physics!
Don't be paranoid.........'They' don't like it!!!!!!!
Currently: Land Rover
Previously: Other Land Rovers
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| Wed Jul 09 2008 10:44pm |
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Desert Traveller
Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Location: South East Queensland
Posts: 298
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Lesson 1..
The most important thing is
tyre pressure. not traction aids. 06 TDV6 SE with Extras
VW Eos TDI
Previously 01 TD5 and 94 TDI
Last edited by Desert Traveller on Thu Jul 10 2008 10:45am; edited 1 time in total
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| Thu Jul 10 2008 3:05am |
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neophyteguy
Joined: 30 Jan 2008
Location: South Melbourne
Posts: 116
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Guys, thanks so much for this thread........I actually stuck my D3 on our place in the country a few weeks ago. It had rained for a few days, track is red clay and the slope isnt too bad-20 degrees or so. Once my OEM tyres got full of mud, they were next to useless. Once I couldnt see the treads any longer, they could have been retired for the day.
I too did the sliding downhill backwards trick, but fortunately just ended up with the front wheels against the uphill bank which stopped the slide.
For me I'd say the key learning was to enter this situation with momentum. I didnt try letting the air down in the tyres, but this would have certainly helped.
We ended up using 66m of cable and a well anchored fence post.....Thank goodness my neighbours are well equipped and have been in this situation plenty of times! Picked up my new MY08 Stornaway TDV6 SE late Feb. FULLY STOKED! Thanks in advance for all the advice/tips you guys have shared on here!!!!!!!!!!!!
1976 Kombi - Bob
1961 Karmann Ghia - Audrey
1968 Wife-HOT!
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| Thu Jul 10 2008 5:09am |
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zetecr
Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 50
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Thanks for the tips guys..
AndrewS wrote:Set the gravity setting as low as you can, this will slow the speed of the decent should you fail the climb.
I must find this setting - or is this an option I missed in the brochure? 
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| Thu Jul 10 2008 12:21pm |
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PaulP
Joined: 04 May 2007
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 760
 
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Please don't forget that AndrewS is talking about a UK-spec (northern hemisphere) D3...in Australia you'd have to set your gravity setting to high in order to get the same traction effect.... if you don't you'll keep descending and fall off the map just after you pass Antartica  2006 TDV6 SE Auto Buckingham Blue
2007 Golf GT DSG
1990 Audi 90 2.2E Sport 5-cyl Tornado Red
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| Thu Jul 10 2008 1:14pm |
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SN
Joined: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Doing the Lambeth Walk
Posts: 7157
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gravity is a natural force pulling too large objects together - the smaller the object, the lower gravity will be - since you can't reduce the size/weight of the planet, you need to do it to the D3 - so therefore gravity can be reduced by simply jumping out of the car Steve N | 2006 TDV6 S Auto in Buckingham Blue | Member of the top ten club | Am I online?
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| Thu Jul 10 2008 1:28pm |
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PaulP
Joined: 04 May 2007
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 760
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SN wrote:since you can't reduce the size/weight of the planet, you need to do it to the D3 - so therefore gravity can be reduced by simply jumping out of the car
But it all of the other 4455* users jumped in the air at the same time, then maybe they could get away with it......what do you think?
* 10/07/2008 @ 13:44 BST (4456 users minus the one guy actually driving the D3 in question) 2006 TDV6 SE Auto Buckingham Blue
2007 Golf GT DSG
1990 Audi 90 2.2E Sport 5-cyl Tornado Red
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| Thu Jul 10 2008 1:44pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bob the Builders 'ere
Posts: 9648
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Or go on a diet  Silver TDV6 HSE
Pepper White Cooper S Convertible
Old English White MGB GT
Ex Military 109 Series 2a Soft Top
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| Thu Jul 10 2008 2:19pm |
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