2020 MTS question

I've searched for this but it seems each time I find a thread mentioning MTS it turns into a crawl control discussion and my question is specific to MTS... even though they work together very closely.
I was climbing a sand bank the other dayyyy (letterkenny reference -if you havent seen it, watch it. watch all of them)
So I'm following my brothers gen1 4runner up this sand bank and after his 3 tries needing more and more speed, its my turn so I give it a fair amount of gas to keep my momentum and as the truck starts to slow in forward momentum but not stop - the whole truck starts jerking violently as, I'm assuming, the brakes were being applied to control wheel spin. Thank you computer. I've seen elsewhere that the crawl control is more of a last resort to be used before you get out and get dirty with a shovel because you're STUCK, but I thought MTS was to be used to prevent getting to the point where you need CC.
Now, what should I have done? what I did do was keep constant throttle because as long as the truck is still moving forward, that's what you do as far as my experience has shown in 'dumb' cars so far. I also noticed as I made the crest of the hill and started to back off the throttle as one does, the jerking stopped and everything smoothed out. Was that because the wheel spin had stopped because I had made it or was backing off the throttle what I should have done in the first place? I want to get good at using the electronic assists available because they're there, so why wouldn't I use them? but if that horrible jerking is normal, I'll be far less likely to use it. Should I have eased out the throttle whilst climbing a sand hill as my momentum slowed? That goes against my every instinct but if that's how this system is to be maximized, I guess I could learn. Usually in these scenarios its me doing something wrong, so I'm here to appeal to those smarter than me: what am I doing wrong?

2020 TRD offroad automatic transmission, 4 lo, MTS set to sand, CC off

Thanks folks

 

Hey TacoCat ... I stumbled on your post while looking for Hill Start Assist info. I would have done all the same stuff, but would only add that I would have reduced all tire air pressure to 15lbs before I started off-roading, then air-up when done. See the TW link below for a great post on our Taco systems.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...016-4x4-models-non-trd-offroad.437814/page-23

 

Question, did a yellow Jeep pull you out and are you missing part of your bumper now?

 

What he said! ^^^^

 

Lol, saw that one last night too.

 

You did it correctly. MTS kicked in to limit slip. That noise is normal, it was the braking system being used by MTS.

 

OP - I guarantee the “jerking violently” you experienced is simple axle wrap. This is very typical on soft surfaces such as sand or loose snow. I experience it huge in my 2020 Pro 6MT. Next time this happens look at your box in the side mirror. If it’s “twerking” all over the place, then it’s axle wrap. All leaf sprung axles suffer from this. You’d need a traction bar or torque bar to stop it.

The traction control features mentioned will mostly just make a lot of noise, and of course help you along for the most part. Different MTS setting won’t really do anything magical for you, simply change how much wheel spin is allowed and how aggressive torque is applied to different tires using brake activated limited slip. Keep in mind, crawl control doesn’t necessarily help in all situations. Don’t rely on it to get you unstuck. You’re better off having all traction aids activated from the get go to avoid being stuck in the first place, or wheel with someone experienced that can bail you out.

 

Great stuff, thanks.
Thanks for your input. I can’t wait to get back out there and see how to use what I’ve learned