4x4 put to the test (long)

MercedTitan · 01-03-2005, 10:41 PM

Well, needless to say I need to take some 4x4 driving lessons. It's been raining pretty heavily here in California for the last week or so. I live in a rural area here in central CA and was working out around the local cotton fields. I specifically paid the extra money for 4 wheel drive just in case I might need it driving some of these rural locations. Today was the test. I looked over the banks of the small river and it was clearly wet. However, I couldn't tell that it was saturated. And as I pulled in the rear end started sliding toward the river. My initial reaction was to slowly apply the brakes and it brought me to a slow stop. I put her in 4HI and manuevered out of the danger zone, but I couldn't go forward to turn around and get back on pavement because the road in front of me was in even worse condition. So, I took a chance and got as close as I could to the field where I could see a few weeds. Mind you, I have an LE KC with no OR. My all weather tires are caked in mud and I have to try and back up a slight incline to get out of this mess. So, I started to back up and I'm afraid the tail end is going to swing out and hit one of the metal posts on either side of the entrance, but she pulled me safely back onto the pavement. The extra bucks I paid for 4x4 was worth every penny today. Now, I just need to learn the fundamentals of driving in slippery/wet/snowy conditions so that I'm a little more confident in my Titan's abilities.

Sorry for the long post, but I thought it was pretty funny after I got out.

NorCal 4x4 · 01-03-2005, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercedTitan

Well, needless to say I need to take some 4x4 driving lessons. ... Now, I just need to learn the fundamentals of driving in slippery/wet/snowy conditions so that I'm a little more confident in my Titan's abilities.

Nice job! That is the best way to learn. It is alway good to go in pairs though, so when you do get stuck your friend is already there.
The ABLS probably helped get you out.
Do you have an '05 LE? I believe they have the lower gear ratio, even w/o BT or OR.

tnbowhunter · 01-04-2005, 06:01 AM

Sounds as if you did everything right to me. Good job!
But just because you have 4 wheel drive dosen't mean that the truck is invincible any 4X4 can get stuck under the right or should I say "wrong" circumstances.
The trick is knowing the limitations of that particular vehicle and stopping before you get over your head. And it sounds as if you did just that. Again

rarjar · 01-04-2005, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnbowhunter

Sounds as if you did everything right to me. Good job!
But just because you have 4 wheel drive dosen't mean that the truck is invincible any 4X4 can get stuck under the right or should I say "wrong" circumstances.
The trick is knowing the limitations of that particular vehicle and stopping before you get over your head. And it sounds as if you did just that. Again

Yeah, if you're not careful, 4 wheel drive can get you in a situation where all 4 wheels are down and you are stuck even worse! I know-- I've been there (but not with the Titan- knock on wood)!

HackinHound · 01-04-2005, 09:38 AM

Ya did good!
If you go off road, especially in the winter, always put it in 4WD - you just never know when you may need it.

SHIPREC13 · 01-04-2005, 02:09 PM

I finnnally had a chance to test my 4x4 also, we had some snow about 13 inches last week. I was over visiting my parents where there is an old gravel pit down the end of the street. There was probably a two foot high pile of plow slough at the begining and then 13 inches untracked nice and fresh . The Titan is 4 high rode right through and only slipped a couple of times with the cruddy stock tires. By the way I have an 04 XE no mods YET. I love this truck and compared to my pathfinder I feel invincable.

As a wise man once said to me "4 wheel drive just gets you stuck that much further away from help if your not careful"