Crawl Control sounds bad.

I tried putting my truck into crawl control this weekend to make sure I knew how to use it. To say the least I didn't not likewise sounds it made when I tried it, especially when I applied the brake. Normal? How should it act?

 

Yep normal. It sounds like gorillas banging on drums. It's also 90% a gimmick.

 

Normal for it to make all the noises. Also, you don't use your brake when using crawl control; it turns it off. If you're a novice wheeler like me who's only gone on "more difficult" trails, it wasn't a gimmick when I got stuck. I'm still learning to modulate my throttle better and to stop static steering. It's a gimmick on easy stuff, but actually works when you're stuck.

Make sure use your MTS first too; it totally helped out on the loose rocks on a hill climb I did.

 

What do you mean by "Static steering"?

 

Static steering is when you turn the steering wheel when the truck isn't moving. I believe it's because when you're aired down you can cause the bead to pop off the wheel. Also puts more stress on your components too when you're all flexed out.

 

Gotcha, thanks!

How low do you air down? I have never aired down more than 15 psi. And yet to air down besides going in sand which isn't as hard on it as rocks would be.

 

15 psi is a good number, that's usually what I'm at on most trails. In sand I've gone as low as 6 psi to get unstuck, worked like a charm but aired back up a bit once I was out. Having a good compressor on hand when wheeling with low tire pressure is essential IMO

 

It's not a gimmick. The noise you are hearing is ABS activating and pulsing. Sure, on easy stuff you don't need it but on my 4Runner it was very good in certain situations.

 

Just curious, did you happen to engage crawl control on asphalt?

 

Yes but did not turn. Just went forward and back 5 feet.

 

I think there are instructions somewhere that specifically state Crawl Control should not be activated on asphalt (or the likes of). I think it was on the sticker on the driver side door interior

 

I believe that's just for the lock.

 

You're right. It is for the Diff lock!

 

The lowest setting (1 mph) is going to be loudest. Freaked me and the wife out first time also. Its the abs modules kicking in.

 

Theres some good youtube videos of it being used. I remember one was a video the dealer was making. They thought they broke it. Ive never used mine lol.

 

Yeah, it makes quite a racket. Especially if you use it on the slowest speed settings as the brakes are constantly engaging. If you set it to go faster it won't be so noisy.

 

Don't run it too long you can muck stuff up.

 

Yeah, I always carry a compressor with me.

 

I don't do anything but 2wd on asphalt. Perhaps I am being over careful.

 

I don't think it sounds bad, it sounds horrible!!!

But it is IMO better in short burst than anything out there.
But as for me, I'd rather have front & rear lockers than worry about overheating the braking system or have the entire system down due to a sensor malfunction. Although that does not appear to be an issue thus far so i can safely say that's just me

Cheers