Last week I almost drove off a snowy road in Mammoth. I couldn't tell where the edge of the pavement ended and my two right side wheels dropped off the edge. It was hidden by snow. Pretty bad driving by me....

Anyway, I put the Armada in reverse and the left rear wheel had good traction on the pavement, but the rear right wheel was spinning in the snow. Stuck.

I thought the "limited slip" or whatever system we have would have put the power to the non-spinning wheel. If that were the case, I could have backed back out. Unfortunately, it didn't work that way. Was it because it was in reverse that there is no limited slip? If I had a Detroit Locker on the rear, I'm sure I could have just backed out.

Thanks to the huge Ford F350 that pulled me back out. That thing was a monster.

Also wondering if I had 4WD, if I could have backed out on my own?

That's a great question!!!! I always assumed it does but now that you mention it, it makes sense that it might not since the sensors are probably designed to primarily detect forward motion. It's all been dry and clear here and I really don't want to go test it out on a wet river bed but maybe QXIndulgence already knows the answer to this with all the muck that he's driven through. I'd really like to know the answer to this myself because this can be the difference between life and death in some rare situations.

4wd systems work with the right rear and front left tires going in either forward or reverse. Unless you have a locker or a good aftermarket limited slip i.e., Detroit Tru-Trac, you're not going to get traction fron the left rear or front right. Normally, to engage a factory limited slip you load the rear end by slightly power braking and easing off the brakes to engage the ls. However, being the Armada is electronically controlled it may differ fron traditional limited slips. So this might all just be a waste of ol' fashion limited slip info. :rolleyes:

I tried braking and everything I could think of. But the right rear just kept spinning(backwards), and didn't seem to put any torque to the left rear. Thank God I had a tow strap with me.

.... However, being the Armada is electronically controlled it may differ fron traditional limited slips. So this might all just be a waste of ol' fashion limited slip info. :rolleyes:
This is exactly right for forward motion but after seeing this thread, I'm thinking that the traditions are back into affect for reverse. I can lay double stripes in forward, but I think I'll take it into a dirt field this weekend and peel out in 2WD reverse with the VDC Off to see if it lays double or a single burn.

This is exactly right for forward motion but after seeing this thread, I'm thinking that the traditions are back into affect for reverse. I can lay double stripes in forward, but I think I'll take it into a dirt field this weekend and peel out in 2WD reverse with the VDC Off to see if it lays double or a single burn.
Pops, that would be very interesting to see what happens. If you do it, let us know.

I took an opportunity to play in the dirt yesterday. I can honestly say that it works in reverse just like forward. I put it in 2WD Reverse w/ VDC Off and threw dirt from both rear tires leaving trail burns from both tires several times. I also went uphill on loose dirt in 4WD Reverse and the traction was the same as going forward.

Like Eurohazard said in another thread, tires make a big difference. I went through some fairly rough stuff that would've stuck my '99 Durango waiting for a tow and the Armada pulled through like no big deal. TIRES. :D

VDC is awesome for 2WD onroad or any "AUTO" Mode driving but for 2WD or 4HI extreme Offroad driving it felt more like a handicap to me.

You bet yur *** it works in reverse. Once i took the Qx out for a spin while i was bored and i got the test the system out pretty well. I had one tire on dirt and one on nice grippy concrete and i just floored it in reverse with my left foot on the brake. Lemme tell you, she made a niiiccceee smoke show. i had tire smoke pouring off from the right rear and the left rear. My theory on abls is that once yur brakes are worn or 'hot' the system is basically worthless. So its inconsistent but if u try to goose it while the pads are cool and it good conditions you should be able drive it like it's got a posi rear. In your case it seemed like VDC would have got you out with no problems.

You bet yur *** it works in reverse. Once i took the Qx out for a spin while i was bored and i got the test the system out pretty well. I had one tire on dirt and one on nice grippy concrete and i just floored it in reverse with my left foot on the brake. Lemme tell you, she made a niiiccceee smoke show. i had tire smoke pouring off from the right rear and the left rear. My theory on abls is that once yur brakes are worn or 'hot' the system is basically worthless. So its inconsistent but if u try to goose it while the pads are cool and it good conditions you should be able drive it like it's got a posi rear. In your case it seemed like VDC would have got you out with no problems.
Trust me, one wheel was spinning like crazy, and the other one with traction didn't move. I'd take a good ole Detroit Locker any day over all this electronic stuff.
Good news was there was a big ole Ford Diesel to pull me out.