Downhill brake saving

Ran the 4 peaks trail for the second time sunday.
I noticed on the first run I really used the brakes a ton on the downhill section close to the end on the way down from 4 peaks.
Brakes were pretty smelly and I know brakes pretty good.
This time I put the truck in 4low and let the engine brake help out .
Now I did keep it under 25 mph so I don't think I hurt it that way.

Is it bad to use it this way?
I can only down shift to 3 on the 2 wheel drive and it is pretty much freewheeling and I have to ride the brakes a bunch.

What can I do in an automatic other than 4 low?

 

does yout truck have downhill assist?

 

Never had that problem. I've actually shifted right down to 1 on steep hills around here. Just in 2 wheel drive. If you get going to fast of course it will not shift down so shift before you speed up. You may have to apply the brakes to get it to shift lower.

I drive like I have no brakes. I shift down always on steep hills before I'll use them. Never had a problem. I've also never had a problem with the brakes. My sig picture is me sitting on top of a mountain round here. That is basically the last of the trees.

 

I tried the downhill assist and it did not help slow down, I think it just helps you keep from locking up on a down hill . But shouldn't the abs do that?
I must be doing something wrong in 2 wheel drive it seems I can only manually down shift to 3.
I guess I will read the manual as that is allways the last resort!!!!!!

Thanks all!!!

This trail is on dirt and the two times I have done it the brakes were getting hot and I could definatly smell them.
It drops pretty quick for the last 5 miles or so.

 

My understanding is downhill assist only works in 4low. But yeah if you're off road, I'd throw it in 4low, shift to L and use downhill assist. That should keep you under 10mph.

 

Downhill assist - 4Lo, 2 or L below 15 mph. (Pretty sure it doesn't work if you've got the locker engaged)

Remember though downhill assist will still use the brakes to slow you down if it has too.

 

Need a manual trans!

 

I prefer to manually manage gears/brakes rather than use the DAC. But if it were a stupid long hill, I might let DAC do its thing.

 

That is what I thought at the time but I soon came to my senses and realised I could find a better way to save my brakes than have an extra pedal to push a couple hundred times a day

 

Under 10 mph would kill me! I was flying on the way down lol, love that trail

 

I was trying to stay about 20-25 mph.
I had to take it easyfor the two Jeeps following me