Danger of shifting into reverse gear whilst wading

[Photokid]

Hi,

I'd previously reaz that it isn't advisable to shift into reverse gear whilst wading as water may enter into certain areas. If I remember correctly, this was regarding a Jeep Wrangler and water entering the clutch plate rendering the vehicle immobile.

Is this true?

Are there other dangers of shifting into reverse whilst wading?

How deep must the water be before one is in danger?

We'd been off-roading this weekend in a Toyota Land Cruiser Pick-up (petrol, newest spec, if it matters technically) and although it was a shallow crossing which didn't reach the doors, water was up to and above the diffs.
The ground beneath was rocky, so 1st low, and the vehicle was reversed a few times to get out of the rocks beneath.

Are there any checks that need to be done if selecting reverse is not a good idea?

Also, does the vehicle have Traction-control?

It seems to struggle on a soft-sand incline, which the Discovery easily would've managed with it's TC system.

All feedback is much appreciated.

[Photokid]

bump

[Christo Meissenheimer]

The cruiser has diff locks front and rear and no traction control . Diff lock is way better than traction control in my opinion and TC will slow you down in sand quite fast. What was you tire pressure and did you use low or high range in sand? Selecting any gears in deep water is not advisable. I am not a expert in this field, so wait and let the fundis answer you on that question.

Christo Meissenheimer

[Photokid]

Yeah, after the driver selected reverse, it was a case of 'oh no, you shouldn't have done that...'
The vehicle is currently fine though.

Yeah, front and rear diff locked, 1st Low Range. It was a sandy incline with axle benders. It made it up, just not as charismatically as a Disco4.

[Christo Meissenheimer]

We always pull away in 2 low range in sand with the D4d. First gear is way to short and way to strong for sand and it is even worst in the 4.0 V6. You will dig yourself in like nothing. We recently drove with a guy in a Fortuner 3.0d4d in the dunes. He pulled away in first low range in the sand and got stuck many times because of this. Use 2 low range in my opinion. I was not there to see the incline so it is hard to give advance , but 1 low range is probably the reason the cruiser struggled.

Christo Meissenheimer

[XJ Junkie]

If you engage reverse, then the engine cranks the other way, which can suck water into the motor through the exhaust

[ThysleRoux]

If you engage reverse, then the engine cranks the other way, which can suck water into the motor

Grapgat !!

[Photokid]

We always pull away in 2 low range in sand with the D4d. First gear is way to short and way to strong for sand and it is even worst in the 4.0 V6. You will dig yourself in like nothing. We recently drove with a guy in a Fortuner 3.0d4d in the dunes. He pulled away in first low range in the sand and got stuck many times because of this. Use 2 low range in my opinion. I was not there to see the incline so it is hard to give advance , but 1 low range is probably the reason the cruiser struggled.

Christo Meissenheimer

It wasn't dune-sand-soft. I meant sandy as opposed to hard ground or rocks

It struggled mostly because of the tire pressures being too high for that type of sand, but yeah, it was mighty impressive in the water. The Disco would've lost it's rear bumper!

[XJ Junkie]

......I'm kidding

[Photokid]

If you engage reverse, then the engine cranks the other way, which can suck water into the motor through the exhaust

We thought about that, so we fitted a sponge and pushed it halfway in to absorb any water ingress.

[MariusFourie]

If you engage reverse, then the engine cranks the other way, which can suck water into the motor through the exhaust

Please note to evrybody who didnt catch the joke, the above statement is false.


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[OwenD]

No jokes in the discussion section Neil, this isn't the pub.

Besides I am sure if he is wading he would have already fitted an exhaust snorkel to prevent that.

[MariusFourie]

The only time water would make it's way to the engine via exhaust is if it is not running and the exhaust manifold is below water level.


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[XJ Junkie]

If in water, the vehicle must be kept engaged in gear at all times. If revs are applied with the gearbox in neutral, this will result in the spare wheel spinning in the boot.

[OwenD]

I was also joking

[XJ Junkie]

Yeah, front and rear diff locked, 1st Low Range. It was a sandy incline with axle benders. It made it up, just not as charismatically as a Disco4.

Was it a Rubicon?

[Photokid]

If in water, the vehicle must be kept engaged in gear at all times. If revs are applied with the gearbox in neutral, this will result in the spare wheel spinning in the boot.

haha!
this can't be with the cruiser as it's mounted in the load bay. And it's locked. So it won't turn. I'm sure

[Photokid]

The only time water would make it's way to the engine via exhaust is if it is not running and the exhaust manifold is below water level.


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So no danger of selecting reverse or changing gears in water?

[Photokid]

Was it a Rubicon?

I can't tell whether you're joking again or not now, but no, it was a Land Cruiser Pick-up

[XJ Junkie]

Was it a Rubicon?

Opps! I see you said it was a Toyota Land Cruiser Pick-up that battled. Did it have the Marie Biscuit stock tyres on?