[Off Road Driving] Descending

[Disco]

DESCENDING – FIRM GROUND


• Select low range 1st. If you cannot see the route exit, walk it first! Remove any badly placed rocks.
• Go over the edge as slowly as possible.
• Switch on the air conditioning for extra engine braking.
• Keep off the clutch and use only light braking when required.
• Slippery, off camber descents…..common problem is the rear of the vehicle sliding off to the side. This is more prone to happen when diff locks are operating.
• If a slide begins, accelerate slightly and if there is room, steer in the direction the rear is sliding. This will keep the front of the vehicle directly below the rear and keep the vehicle in control.
• If the vehicle jumps out of gear, stop before putting it back into gear.
• Keep thumbs outside the steering wheel spokes.
• If a camper or trailer is attached, use the electric brakes to help slow down decent and prevents the trailer sliding.

DESCENDING – ROCKY – STEEP

Ensure that your tyres are up to the task. Aggressive treads do best.

• Wet rocks can be tricky, especially if there is some mud in the spaces between the rocks. Use the rocks to advantage if possible. The sidewall of the tyre can be placed against the side of a rock to hold the vehicle and keep it from sliding sideways.
• Don’t cross fallen trees at an angle in the middle of the rocks. Drive over, square on if possible, a ‘hang up’ on the springs or differential could occur and the possibility of ‘train lining’ exists. This is where one of the front wheels gets over and the rear wheels cannot because the rear tyres lack bite on the tree.

DESCENDING – MUDDY-STEEP

* Caution is required. Don’t attempt these if you don’t have aggressive tires as mud will collect in your tire treads leaving you with have no grip or traction.

• Select low range 1st. Attach chains.
• If a slide begins, accelerate slightly.
• Rutted trails can be a problem with small diameter tires, but ruts can be a help in slippery off camber situations. If the tires are big enough to run in the ruts you will probably not slide sideways off the hill. If the ruts are too deep, try running with just one set of tires in a rut, if the trail is wide enough.
Sometimes the trail may have more than one track that may become icy or slippery on a descent. Try going to the side a bit to get some fresh un-trodden dirt or snow under the tyres.

DESCENDING – EXTREME DESCENTS

Don’t attempt these unless you have aggressive tyres.

Sometimes a hill is so steep that you will begin sliding down and low gear is too low. The tyres begin sliding because they are not rotating fast enough to keep traction and control. In this case, it is best to shift into 2nd or 3rd low, depress the clutch pedal (if manual transmission), and ride the brake. If you get into trouble, you can momentarily ease out the clutch and use power to straighten out. You need a good touch on the brakes, you don’t want to start a skid; just enough to slow down.