Do you ever use reverse on steep critical downhills?

[FernieHawk]

I do occasionally.

In another thread some people were critical of this technique.

 

[Merc63]

I do it all the time on steep descents. Just make sure you lock the brake before hitting the throttle.

 

[pano-dude]

Since I've never had reverse until this year no. Dont think i would try it now either, Way to hard on drivetrain imo.

 

[lilduke]

Fawk no.....

 

[oler1234]

Make sure you lock the brake as noted. Seen the aftermath and you will burn a notch in the secondary if not careful. Do I do it, yea on occasion.

 

[knh208]

Time to watch Schooled again. Put the sled on its side.

 

[teeroy]

yes. as mentioned in other thread, I have broken the pivot pin on the chain tensioner arm doing it...so go easy. but man you can come to a complete stop on some pretty steep slopes if you need to. has come in handy more than a few times.

 

[Dazzler]

I do, and have used it since 2003 (my poo vertical mistake had the reverse button) to get me stopped to help out a fellow sledder, given the right situation. I've never used it to get me down a steep hill as, I would assume it to be a little hard on the drive train.

 

[FernieHawk]

Time to watch Schooled again. Put the sled on its side.

Ya on its side....over and over and over and over....barrel roll.

 

[skegpro]

Never, this seems odd to me and hard on the machine.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

He'll no.

Would you do it on your quad or in your pick up?

Seems like a good way to wreck something

 

[Merc63]

How are you going to wreck something if the brake is held locked and you simultaneously give it a shot of gas, it's like pinning it off the line... I see no difference.

This is a technique we learned in a ride with Chris brown course. It may save your ass and your sled one day. I'm not saying do it every hill you climb, but those really steep ones if you need or trying to stop and help a bud, it works great.

 

[skegpro]

If your scared to go down the big scary hills maybe you shouldn't have climbed them in the first place?

Or maybe sledding just isn't your thing.

 

[007sevens]

NEVER! Keep the clutches engaged with a slight bit of throttle, while holding the brake. Works like an engine brake.

 

[ferniesnow]

Generally, I don't climb the chutes where the scary downhills occur. I have unexpectedly come across some steep decents and as Merc63 pointed out, helping a buddy who is stuck (now there are people who say if they are up there they can get themselves out.......) up in the trees. Sometimes the trees are so tight, you can't lay it on it's side as there is no room. The unexpected drops are the interesting ones. I am sure everyone has a special technique for extraordinary circumstances and to each their own. Is there a right way or a wrong way?

 

[Merc63]

If your scared to go down the big scary hills maybe you shouldn't have climbed them in the first place?

Or maybe sledding just isn't your thing.

Hold me tight you big tough guy.

 

[lilduke]

Hey if it gets you out of a bad situation, who am I to judge. But what if your chain case explodes while you are doing this?

Could leave you in a worse predicament.

 

[LID]

Done it a few times in a dumb spot or when trying to stop and help someone.

You should never try it out or use it to slow yourself if there are more guys behind you that need to follow the downhill. You’ll screw the line up bad for them

 

[skegpro]

Hold me tight you big tough guy.

Kinda an odd request.

Want me to ride your sled out for you instead lol.

 

[FernieHawk]

I have a 2010 Cat with a Diamond drive so no worry about a chain case. I really don’t think there is any additional strain on my sled compared to using reverse to go backwards as compared to spinning the track lightly while going forward. Agree that using this technique while someone is in close proximity behind you could be bad for your body and/or sled.

I’ve also used this to stop downhill to help someone out of a pickle.