Slow, low RPM hill climb. WTF?

I was driving in the mountains recently and went to climb a pretty steep hill in 4hi.

The RPMs were ~1000 and the truck was moving incredibly slowly even with my foot pushed all the way to the floor.

Has anyone experienced this before? Are our trucks really that weak?

 

Doesn't sound normal, but then again I don't know all the facts here. Details about your truck would help, like trim, engine, auto or manual...

 

What speeds? Offroading or highway?

When I sense any kind of lugging I always slap it into sport mode S4 and let the motor do its thing.

If this is offroading, 4Lo is the answer.

 

If AT and you were flooring it, then not normal for sure. If MT and flooring in 4th up the hill, you are in the wrong gear. Good luck.

 

The trucks have plenty of power....they're just geared for flat land fuel economy.

Regear.

 

If offroad, it sounds to me like traction control was kicking on limiting throttle input to control wheel slip.

 

We're you getting any traction control lights?

 

X2

 

Yes this as well 4 lo will cut all traction control systems off when engaged.

 

Said he was in 4hi. What gear was the truck in? 1000 rpm is just above idle speed. Depending on the gear and the incline you should have been 3000-5000 rpm's

 

The real hint is he was at ~1000 rpms with his foot to the floor. This makes me think traction control was doing its thing.

 

What he said ^

 

Traction control applies brakes to spinning wheels. It does not change engine rpm. I'm thinking it was in the wrong gear. An automatic should have automatically downshifted. If it was a manual then operator error.

 

Can you describe the hill? How steep? Paved? Snow on the ground?

 

Not always. Mine has cut throttle when I stomped on it to keep wheels from spinning.

 

I thought standard traction control did cut throttle, no?

MTS and crawl control don't, but in 4HI, I believe it's just standard traction control.

 

I believe this is correct, most vehicles do this. I haven't lost traction in my Tacoma, so I haven't actually seen it first hand, on this truck anyway.

 

Traction control limiting throttle input and if low rpm in 1st then transmission isn't locked.

 

If it’s a manual, they absolutely are that weak below 2k

 

OP, include more detail?
Mods?
Transmission?
CELs?
Other lights?
Offroad, on road?