Transmission Overheat - Reversing Up Hill

I have always used low range to reverse my van. Because its easier to go slow - its a close gap from my house to the fence, my house being a 1920's build, cars were narrow back then.

But ... shouldn't we be talking about an additional transmission oil cooler? It sounds to me that if on sand, we may need high range, and perhaps then the tranny will over heat?

Going in reverse would surely effect the cooling though - there must be less air available to the radiator?


I have read too, that if you stick the tranny into gear - say low first for reversing - then the gearbox will not slip, and it is the slippage that heats up the tranny most. But in first, slip might be mandatory ??? Which is the slowest speed and what gear, where the gearbox can lock up the gear???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Melbourne Park

But ... shouldn't we be talking about an additional transmission oil cooler? It sounds to me that if on sand, we may need high range, and perhaps then the tranny will over heat?

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I think you make a very good point. Given what the OP has described, seems to have over heated pretty quickly.

Personally I believe being in hi range caused the heat build up,and it would quickly at idle speed.
The steam,no room for expansion in the overflow tank due to the vehicles bum being in the air,I doubt there has been any damage done.
Having once lived in the same area,I know there are some steep driveways there;););););)
I always use low range to reverse a trailer if the vehicle has one,makes life so much easier;););););););)
Andrew

Interestingly, on the weekend I had a rare opportunity to drive the BILs new D4 SDV6 on Straddie both in high and low range at varying speeds in softish sand at road pressures. There was a sort of burning smell when working hard at low speed in high. No transmission warning though so I assume it was only new car coating being evaporated off something. I was very impressed with its performance all at road pressures.

I also left the RRV TDV8 at road pressures. It was equally impressive which was nice seeing its soon 8 years old. High range seemed easier in the RRV.

Thanks for the replies and advice, went off to work today and was all good,
So selecting Low Range when reversing with the camper van on from now on,
Do I just use the normal setting, or do we reach for a special program ?????

Jack

Straight low range should be fine...no need for any special terrain setting

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Melbourne Park

....I have read too, that if you stick the tranny into gear - say low first for reversing - then the gearbox will not slip, and it is the slippage that heats up the tranny most. But in first, slip might be mandatory ??? Which is the slowest speed and what gear, where the gearbox can lock up the gear???

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Am I missing something here? Only one gear for reverse then the choice of low or high range. The lowest gear will give you the quickest lock up.

6 speed gear ratios:
6th (High/Low) :1 0.691 / 2.020
5th (High/Low) :1 0.867 / 2.540
4th (High/Low) :1 1.143 / 3.350
3rd (High/Low) :1 1.521 / 4.460
2nd (High/Low) :1 2.340 / 6.860
1st (High/Low) :1 4.171 / 12.220
Reverse (High/Low) :1 3.403 / 9.960
Transfer box ratio High :1 1
Transfer box ratio Low :1 2.93

8 speed gear ratios:
8th (High/Low) :1 0.667 / 1.954
7th (High/Low) :1 0.839 / 2.458
6th (High/Low) :1 1.000 / 2.930
5th (High/Low) :1 1.285 / 3.765
4th (High/Low) :1 1.667 / 4.884
3rd (High/Low) :1 2.106 / 6.170
2nd (High/Low) :1 3.143 / 9.208
1st (High/Low) :1 4.714 / 13.812
Reverse (High/Low) :1 3.403 / 9.970
Transfer box ratio High :1 1
Transfer box ratio Low :1 2.93

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5G2zQ_3xTc[/ame]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SBD4

Am I missing something here? Only one gear for reverse then the choice of low or high range. The lowest gear will give you the quickest lock up.

6 speed gear ratios:
6th (High/Low) :1 0.691 / 2.020
5th (High/Low) :1 0.867 / 2.540
4th (High/Low) :1 1.143 / 3.350
3rd (High/Low) :1 1.521 / 4.460
2nd (High/Low) :1 2.340 / 6.860
1st (High/Low) :1 4.171 / 12.220
Reverse (High/Low) :1 3.403 / 9.960
Transfer box ratio High :1 1
Transfer box ratio Low :1 2.93

8 speed gear ratios:
8th (High/Low) :1 0.667 / 1.954
7th (High/Low) :1 0.839 / 2.458
6th (High/Low) :1 1.000 / 2.930
5th (High/Low) :1 1.285 / 3.765
4th (High/Low) :1 1.667 / 4.884
3rd (High/Low) :1 2.106 / 6.170
2nd (High/Low) :1 3.143 / 9.208
1st (High/Low) :1 4.714 / 13.812
Reverse (High/Low) :1 3.403 / 9.970
Transfer box ratio High :1 1
Transfer box ratio Low :1 2.93

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5G2zQ_3xTc

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I had brain fade!!!

However - first is lower than reverse ... and more so with the 8 speed.

Some people have an attachment on their front bull bar, for easier parking of vans when they have difficulties at home ... interestingly, that would give them a lower ratio, first being lower ...

No one has yet explained the "steam" coming out of the engine bay either ...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Melbourne Park

I had brain fade!!!

However - first is lower than reverse ... and more so with the 8 speed.

Some people have an attachment on their front bull bar, for easier parking of vans when they have difficulties at home ... interestingly, that would give them a lower ratio, first being lower ...

No one has yet explained the "steam" coming out of the engine bay either ...

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I did.
I suspect that having its bum in the air simply put coolant into the discharge chamber of the overflow bottle.Have a look at them,they are an interesting design.
Andrew

The Jayco went for its first service this week, reversed up the drive way in low range, was so much easier to control, no issues at all, all is good with the world again, thanks all for your tips,

Jack :)