On one of my club trips into the BC mountains I found my self needing to back down about 50 feet of steep gravel. I found I had to really stand on the brakes to control the speed. Drop-off on the left and a hairpin turn at the bottom with another drop-off. Was a very scary experience. Hands were shaking when I got to the bottom and turned around.

Anyone else experience similar poor braking in reverse?

I am guessing it is because the smaller rear brakes are doing most of the braking in this kind of situation. Not sure if HDC would help if that is the case.

 

I’ve never been in that situation so I’m not sure, but your theory makes sense. I do think HDC would have helped. Glad you had a good outcome.

 

HDC works in reverse. Were you in low range? Low range has extra torque and make braking harder. But as for braking in general, at low speed there is not much of a disparity between front and rear, your braking power should feel the same.

 

Yes, low range. Had the Trans in reverse. Not sure if that was necessary. Maybe neutral?
There was a very big difference in brake effectiveness.
Like I said, hands were shaking uncontrollably when I got down.

 

Maybe it was just the combo of going downhill in low range and being in gear. Neutral probably would have been a better choice. And if you do use HDC, remember you can control its speed with cruise switches. I always find the default too fast.

 

At the LR Driving School they teach you to use R in that situation (and 4-Lo of course and HDC) but I could see how Neutral may be better in some cases. I think they preach using R so that you still have power if you need it.

 

I had left the car in R but in hindsight I don't think I needed any power to go backwards. I have been thinking I should have used the EPB to periodically stop me rather than just the foot brake. Would have perhaps given me a greater sense of control.

 

I dunno, never tried the EPB but I dont feel like it would have given you the control you wanted. HDC controls all four brake, EPB is only rears. You could have found yourself in a sharp turn if both rear parking brakes were not properly adjusted.

 

Yea, I might try it on a gentler slope to see what happens. Tomorrow my club sets out on a 7 day wander through the backroads of BC's Chilcotin country which is kind of central west BC. Going up several fire lookouts amongst other things. I will post a few photos.

 

If you find a nice hill to try it out on, stop midway and put it in R or N, make sure HDC is engaged and test it out. I think you'll be happy with it.