pulling out a stuck vehicle..any danger from doing it in reverse?

i did a search, and found very little. i used to pull everyone out, when i lived in texas. recovering my little bro's early bronco, with my 1984 POS jeep cherokee was a highlight. i did alot in reverse. helps to see, hooks were up front, etc. even pulled some stumps in reverse.

is it bad for our tacoma trannies to yank in reverse?

 

I believe so. I have read on here somewhere that they said it was. I think you get a lot more power pulling forward too

 

From what I have heard and read over the years, it's not a good idea to pull in reverse. I believe the issue is the gears in the diffs and the strengh of them when in reverse.

Marc M

 

I also have heard that recovery is easier on the running gear while in forward gears. That said however, I have done several recovery tows in reverse before knowing the difference and haven't seen any negative affects thus far - but won't chance it again if I don't have to.

 

Pulling forward is using a lower gear ration. In my 2009 auto the first gear ration is 3.53 and the ratio for reverse is 3.22.

 

Besides damaging the tranny, what about tearing up the front end? The rear axle is built to handle the extra forces of hauling a 1/2 ton of crap as well as towing or pulling someone out of the mud. What about the front end though? Its got to be pretty stout to survive being pulled out of the mud itself, but its not nearly as heavily sprung as the rear end.

 

I have made tons of recoveries in reverse. However I never jerk or jar anything in reverse. If its a simple pull I would do it but with any difficult recovery I go in forward.

 

Not related to tranny...I think what's bad when doing it in reverse is if it snaps, the hook or strap can go straight right at you.

 

I was always told the reverse cut gear is thinner thus weaker so when ever possible pull forward

 

The gearing and combination parts that a transmission uses in reverse, compared to forward gearing, are generally less rubust and are unsynchronized. It's perfectly adequate for the short periods of operation that your vehicle is used in reverse but, for pulling loads, it should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

 

Sub'd

 

Ummm....so basically what you are saying, is it's bad to reverse a trailer too? Should we hook to the front and push, like this...... http://www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/241425/size/big/cat/500/ppuser/37368

 

Just from the standpoint of protecting the gears,yes but pushing from the front end has it's own pitfalls. The front isn't as strong as the rear because of the IFS components. But parking a trailer is MUCH easier when it's hooked on the front of the truck

For a simple pull, I wouldn't hesitate to to pull in reverse (or reverse a heavy trailer). If the vehicle is really stuck and you'll need to work at it, better off to do it in forward.

 

You arent backing that trailer over a bunch of rocks or through axle deep mud. Just a tad bit of differance in the amount of force generally being used there....

But pushing a trailer like that would make it a lot easier in tight spots. Handy little setup.

 

Yep, thread revival FTW! Even in the 2nd Gen section and everything

 

nm, necro poster !

 

Old thread but info should be here.
Reason why you should never pull vehicles in reverse is that when you doing so you using coast side of the R&P which is weaker.

 

haha thats pretty cool! Just reversing a trailer to park it isn't putting THAT much force on the drive train.

 

Only if you are slamming on the skinny pedal going up a hill or through the mud

 

well no, if you are driving like a moron the whole equation changes.