Hedge bouncing!

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Have you ever done any Hedge bouncing?

  • Total voters
    14
RichM

RichM

Well-Known Member
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The other day, I was descending down a steep lane in my Gaylander. Unfortunately my tyres couldn't get any grip on the snow/ice and I soon realised that HDC was only adding to the problem. The car was quickly building up speed and felt almost out of control. I took HDC off as the braking action was only making it worse. I kept it in first and relied on engine braking. That helped me to regain control but I was still too fast. I decided to point it into the direction of the hedge and kept bouncing off them in a zig zag sequence until I came to a halt at the bottom!

Is this to be avoided or is it a common technique to use when all else fails? It was a bit of an "Oh ****!" moment I have to say. I was surprised to find that I didn't damage the car at all. So much so that I probably wouldn't hesitate doing it again if it was necessary.

And yes, I could do with better tyres and I would put A/Ts on if it wasn't for the fact that my wheel size makes that impossible. Though, given the gradient, I do wonder whether or not a disco or defender with appropriate tyres would have encountered the same thing!

Rich
 
Last edited:
too much engine braking in first, a higher gear might have kept the wheels rolling and allowed you to steer - mind if there's an unquestionably immovable object in your path a hedge is the better option
 
RichM said:
The other day, I was descending down a steep lane in my Gaylander. Unfortunately my tyres couldn't get any grip on the snow/ice and I soon realised that HDC was only adding to the problem. The car was quickly building up speed and felt almost out of control. I took HDC off as the braking action was only making it worse. I kept it in first and relied on engine braking. That helped me to regain control but I was still too fast. I decided to point it into the direction of the hedge and kept bouncing off them in a zig zag sequence until I came to a halt at the bottom!

Is this to be avoided or is it a common technique to use when all else fails? It was a bit of an "Oh ****!" moment I have to say. I was surprised to find that I didn't damage the car at all. So much so that I probably wouldn't hesitate doing it again if it was necessary.

And yes, I could do with better tyres and I would put A/Ts on if it wasn't for the fact that my wheel size makes that impossible. Though, given the gradient, I do wonder whether or not a disco or defender with appropriate tyres would have encountered the same thing!

Rich
Click to expand...

I'll bet you used to dive off the sledge as soon as it picked up speed, when you was a kid. Didn't you. :D What was wrong with pointing it downhill and going for it????
 
redhand said:
I'll bet you used to dive off the sledge as soon as it picked up speed, when you was a kid. Didn't you. :D What was wrong with pointing it downhill and going for it????
Click to expand...

It was very very steep. If I just pointed it down the hill, the car would have just picked up speed and I obv wanted to avoid the possibility of a 30mph crash at the bottom!
 
what do you class as very steep?

t'other night i drove me mondeo down an icy 1:3 hill without any sliding (made it up the identical hill the other side with virtually no wheelspin either the van going in the opposite direction was far less controlled

for those who don't know how hill gradients work its 1yard up for every 3yard forward or a 33.33% hill
 
Did it a few times on the flat in the wet in my seirra cosworth a few times, sold it as i got fed up of picking up the pieces.
 
Had to swap the transit at work for a little ****ty vauxhall combo 1.3cdti yesterday, turned a corner and the back end just slid right out, opposite lock almost pulled it out but the back end went into the hedge.....if that counts?

The bloke behind me was ****ing himself laughing at me trying to get over the humpback bridge round the bend though :D Until I did a u-turn and went the other way
 
If I'm decending a steep gradient of sheet ice I'll try and keep close to the kerb or verge ready to use the side tread of my tyres to slow myself down. Back in January I was lowering a people carrier down a steep hill that the kids had been using for sledging . Unfortunately the car was an automatic so it was unable to use it's own engine to brake for itself. Although my landy was being pulled down the hill diagonally due to the weight of the other vehicle I still managed to keep control of the descent soley by keeping my front tyre against the bank. I wouldn't say I felt completely comfortable at that moment in time though.
 
I had an experience in mine and lost traction half way up hill, you can either panic and slide down and crash or reverse down. At least if wheels are turning you have some control
 
fanatic said:
I had an experience in mine and lost traction half way up hill, you can either panic and slide down and crash or reverse down. At least if wheels are turning you have some control
Click to expand...
Agree with fanny! If you lose it i think its best to get it in reverse and try and steer it backwards.If you dont hit anything wheels will grip sooner or later:)

Not sure if I would bounce hedges,they can have big rocks and trees in,or loadsa blacthorn thru the sidewall of tyres:eek:
 
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