[Arnold R]

I have a 2021 Ascent Limited and my camper weighs about 4000 lbs.
My driveway slopes up at about 10%.
I am uncomfortable backing up my camper on that driveway, as I don't want to damage my drivetrain.
Should I be? Or would it be alright?
Are there any data available on what amount of trailer weight one can safely back up on what percentage of slope?

 

[Titanrx8]

I wouldn't sweat it. You're not driving miles at high speed in reverse.

 

[Arnold R]

No, but my concern is the amount of torque required to push the camper into moving up the hill.
In principle, that shouldn't be different from getting it into motion forward on an uphill slope, but it just feels like more strain on the clutch.

 

[pdxeca]

No, but my concern is the amount of torque required to push the camper into moving up the hill.
In principle, that shouldn't be different from getting it into motion forward on an uphill slope, but it just feels like more strain on the clutch.

Shouldn't be any different than doing it going forward.

As a point of reference, for the TR690, the gear ratio for "1st gear" in manual mode is 2.18:1 and in R it's 2.09:1, so more or less the same.

I can't imagine it being an issue, but I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong.

 

[Titanrx8]

As I understand the design of the 690, only the final output shafts change direction. All the internals run the same direction whether forward or reverse.

 

[Ruben Marin]

I would be interested in how this goes as reversing definitely seems to require more throttle input than going forward. Maybe it's in my head but the ascent doesn't seem to like reversing with a heavy load.

 

[Arnold R]

I should confess that my fears also have something to do with the experience of burning out the clutch, almost 40 years ago, in a manual transmission while backing up a camper on a steep uneven slope 🤔

 

[Arnold R]

I would be interested in how this goes as reversing definitely seems to require more throttle input than going forward. Maybe it's in my head but the ascent doesn't seem to like reversing with a heavy load.

That is also my experience when I tried.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I would be interested in how this goes as reversing definitely seems to require more throttle input than going forward. Maybe it's in my head but the ascent doesn't seem to like reversing with a heavy load.

I will guess that the programing for ratios relative to backing up might be involved there for multiple reasons. I've not done much going backwards with a loaded trailer, however, so I'm just speculating here.

 

[Arnold R]

I will guess that the programing for ratios relative to backing up might be involved there for multiple reasons. I've not done much going backwards with a loaded trailer, however, so I'm just speculating here.

I also received a suggestion to try and use X mode. Does that make sense? Does it actually work in reverse?

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I've only every used XMode once and it was while pulling large logs with a skidding tongs. Never went in reverse for that! They were too large and heavy for my tractor, so the Ascent got the job.