Backing uphill: Opinion

[Steve Jelf]

If you have been in this game for any length of time, you have heard the old tale of backing up hills to stop fuel starvation many times. I wonder how many who tell that tale have actually done it. I have found Model T backwards steering at more than a crawl so squirrely that I would be afraid of running into the ditch or off a cliff. I would rather dump a running board can into my tank and go up forward. How about you?

[RalphS in NE Oregon]

I live at the top of a 10% grade and have backed the last half mile several times when I have forgotten to have at least 1/3 tank full. When I first got the car it had one of those paper filters in the gas line and I needed at least 3/4 tank to get up the hill going forward. Taking the filter off solved that problem. Not much traffic on my road so I don't have too much trouble, but I would sure rather not back up it!
Ralph

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

I believe that reverse is also a lower gear ratio, so that helps too. I've really often wondered just how much of the "uphill" troubles are just lack of power, versus lack of fuel...

[BobShirleyAtlantaTx]

As a kid, I was told backing keep oil in the dipper troughs. The wheel wobble while backing, would make me thing there is a camber issue.

[Norman Kling]

I have only tried it once or twice. Fortunately the uphill toward our house has a gas station at the bottom. So Once or twice I have sputtered out and had to coast backward to turn around and then go down and get some gas before going back up.
When I was a boy, I remember seeing people backing up hills in Model T's. but in those days people were used to seeing such things. Now many don't even notice arm signals or think we are motioning them to pass when we are actually signaling a left turn.
Norm

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

As a kid, I was told backing keep oil in the dipper troughs. The wheel wobble while backing, would make me thing there is a camber issue.

It's "normal" due to the wheels essentially being "toed out" while backing up, versus being "toed in" while going forward.

[TXGOAT2]

Backing up reverses your caster angle. Toe in is also backward. The solution is to back up slowly, if you must back up at all.

If you back up for often for longer distances, attaching one of those aftermarket spring contraptions to your tie rod will help stabilize the steering when backing up. The spring action restores some of the stabilizing effect of caster when backing up.

A 5:1 gear set and a 17" steering wheel will help some when backing up, and keeping the steering system tight and well lubricated will help, as will properly inflated tires with good tread.

Reducing caster angle will improve stability when backing up, but it will decrease stability when going forward, so that's no solution.

If you run in very steep terrain, adding a period type manual pressure pump to pressurize the gas tank would be the ideal solution, in my opinion. Very little pressure is needed. (Not needed on "improved" cars)

[Dan Hatch]

Installing one if Scott’s float valves in a NH will help this hill climbing problem.
If you don’t have one you should look into getting one.

[BobP]

Also backing up a hill if low band is bad. Also if you are not sure you can make it up the hill you are better off coming back down forward instead of going backwards down the hill.

[Susanne]

I went up a hill with a low tank and when the car died (and the brakes didn't hold) we went on a mister toads wild ride backwards down a hill... we got VERY lucky as there was a long steep driveway I was able to go into (fighting the seteering all the way) and even then almos out the car on its side.

Backing UP a hill is a far safer alternative all the way around... I NEVER want to experience an uncontrolled backing DOWN a hill ever again.

[CudaMan]

I have not tried this, but I read somewhere that someone stuffed a deflated innertube into their gas tank, then pumped up the tube. Apparently the pumped up tube displaced enough fuel in the tank to raise the level enough to allow the car to make it up the hill in forward. The tube would have to sit down in the fuel for this to work.

Kind of like a crow dropping stones into a jar of water to raise the water level high enough to get a drink.

Just an urban legend, perhaps?