D4 hill-climbing technique with trailer

[niobe]

So just back from first few trips with an off-road camper trailer attached (about 1650kg). I've limited experience towing or 4wding so had a couple of questions for the gurus to check my approach.

Towards the end had some steep climbs to do on dry trail. Think 500m climb in about 3km of road. The trail was fairly hard-packed with a loose sandy covering so I picked the gravel program. Obviously in low range. Initially I left the car in auto and noticed it pretty hard to get consistent revs on the same kind of slope. As a result I had to go in to each rise with a fair bit of speed to ensure revs but risk bottoming out the car. Without revs the car would basically stop before it reached the crest of each hump.

After a bit I figured the perhaps obvious, manual was a better approach, but still took in a bit of a speed. Obviously made it out no issues with only a few "no traction" warnings from the car.

Main question is.. what's the best way to approach these slopes? Do you go in in 1st or 2nd and take it turtle pace, or are you best carrying a bit of speed when it gets steep?

[LRD414]

The Grass/Gravel/Snow mode would have been working against you somewhat.
It's mainly targeted at slippery grass and snow surfaces and doesn't do aggressive gear changes.

In the situation described I'd use Mud/Ruts and probably manual gear selection.
Mud/Ruts will allow a bit more wheel slip to ensure traction and holds revs longer.
Stays in gear when throttle is released.
I would also turn the DSC off if getting slip warnings.

Some extra info in the FAQs Driving Techniques section:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-4/93220-aulro-discovery-3-4-rrs-faq.html#drivingtechniques

Regards,
Scott

[niobe]

Thanks Scott, makes a lot of sense, particularly the gravel mode working against me.

What about speed, can you actually do steep slopes at snail pace when towing?

[Tombie]

As Scott mentioned. Ensure you turn DSC off in these instances.

[LRD414]

What about speed, can you actually do steep slopes at snail pace when towing?
For sure yes

[Redback]

Same mistake I made on my first outing in the D4, you're better off just leaving the car in normal mode unless the climb is rutted, then you can use mud rut or rock crawl.

Normal mode will get you most places without any issues, just select sport manual mode and low range and you'll be fine, I tow everywhere, on road and off road and I've towed most of the steeper tracks of the high country.

[DiscoJeffster]

Agree. Gravel mode dulls throttle response dramatically and limits revs to avoid slipping. Uncool in most conditions. Sand mode is the opposite. Lots of revs and great response. As mentioned, DSC off is a must. You also have to keep reselecting it if you change mode.