Member Since: 11 Aug 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 64
Best settings/strategy for tackling a muddy slope?
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: ??
9th Jul 2008 10:02 am
catweasel
Member Since: 05 May 2006
Location: Bundaleer
Posts: 4805
3/ off
9th Jul 2008 11:48 am
CFB
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
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.2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
9th Jul 2008 5:32 pm
AndrewS Tarquin of the Desert
Member Since: 06 May 2005
Location: Y...... because I can
Posts: 10442
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. In the Beginning there was nothing, which exploded.
9th Jul 2008 6:29 pm
AndrewS Tarquin of the Desert
Member Since: 06 May 2005
Location: Y...... because I can
Posts: 10442
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.
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
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.2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
9th Jul 2008 9:09 pm
AndrewS Tarquin of the Desert
Member Since: 06 May 2005
Location: Y...... because I can
Posts: 10442
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 In the Beginning there was nothing, which exploded.
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
9th Jul 2008 9:44 pm
Desert Traveller
Member Since: 06 Aug 2006
Location: The Gabba - QLD
Posts: 420
Lesson 1..
The most important thing is
tyre pressure. not traction aids.06 TDV6 SE with many LR and after-market extras. Used only on weekends and trips out west.
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Last edited by Desert Traveller on 10th Jul 2008 9:45 am. Edited 1 time in total
10th Jul 2008 2:05 am
neophyteguy
Member Since: 30 Jan 2008
Location: South Melbourne
Posts: 116
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!!!!!!!!!!!!
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10th Jul 2008 4:09 am
zetecr
Member Since: 11 Aug 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 64
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?
10th Jul 2008 11:21 am
PaulP
Member Since: 04 May 2007
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 4317
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 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE AutoBuckingham Blue 2007 Golf GT DSG
10th Jul 2008 12:14 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
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 | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
10th Jul 2008 12:28 pm
PaulP
Member Since: 04 May 2007
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 4317
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 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE AutoBuckingham Blue 2007 Golf GT DSG
10th Jul 2008 12:44 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
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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. 
but not when there is another big drop off with a hoofting rock in it 
| 08MY Discovery 3 (history) 
