Can Hybrid AWD pull a car from a ditch?

[710-oil-614]

Correct. When my buddy and I came across a stuck car over the weekend, it was his 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser 20th anniversary edition that did the pulling, not the Maverick.

Because you had a far superior vehicle to use. He didnt ask if the Hybrid AWD was the best vehicle for the job just if it is capable of doing it - which it is.

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[CajunMick]

Couple weeks ago pulled a Ram 1500 with 2WD out a grass field. His 4 wheels bogged down, rear wheels spinning in mud. Lucky he was only ~10-12 ft from edge of concrete parking lot. All on same level. I have a nylon tow strap. Hitched to my tow hitch, and to his. Easy pull while he backing up, got him out. The Mav pulled good.

At first I was leery about this. But thought pulling on the level, in first gear, can’t be bad. On first pull his truck not moving, rear wheel spinning. So I back up, gave it a tug to get his out of the mud rut. Then we both moving seamlessly.

 

[raymaines]

I wouldn't do it unless there was no other way to get the other vehicle free.

... and I'd have to evaluate how much I loved the other driver.

 

[Jonny44]

This is a misguided post.

It's rarely about power.
It's always about traction.

Misguided? The hybrid only uses the electric motor for reverse. There is no ICE (internal combustion engine) assist for the reverse "gear". Good luck with that. If you really want to pull someone from a ditch your money is better spent on getting a good winch.

 

[710-oil-614]

Misguided? The hybrid only uses the electric motor for reverse. There is no ICE (internal combustion engine) assist for the reverse "gear". Good luck with that. If you really want to pull someone from a ditch your money is better spent on getting a good winch.

How much torque do you think your EB puts down at 1100 rpm in reverse? (Hint: it is less than the torque provided by the electric motor).....

 

[Pikey87]

Misguided? The hybrid only uses the electric motor for reverse. There is no ICE (internal combustion engine) assist for the reverse "gear". Good luck with that. If you really want to pull someone from a ditch your money is better spent on getting a good winch.

The hybrid has more torque than the Ecoboost, and without a doubt, the electric motor is FAR more durable than the Ecoboosts reverse gear. I do have to agree with your post being misguided. Although TBH I'm surprised that people here are arguing over something as ridiculous as this topic. This site was Soooo much more chill for the Mavs first 3 years.

 

[710-oil-614]

The hybrid has more torque than the Ecoboost, and without a doubt, the electric motor is FAR more durable than the Ecoboosts reverse gear. I do have to agree with your post being misguided. Although TBH I'm surprised that people here are arguing over something as ridiculous as this topic. This site was Soooo much more chill for the Mavs first 3 years.

Because 22-24 and EB owners have a common target to shit on - the 2025 AWD Hybrid, bonus points if you got a Lariat and paid $40k for a $20k truck.....

 

[commadorebob]

It will 100% depend on the situation and size of the vehicle being pulled. I've seen pictures of a Maverick pulling an F-150 out of a dry ditch. But the Maverick will likely not pull anything really stuck in the mud or snow; it simply doesn't have the mass.

 

[710-oil-614]

It will 100% depend on the situation and size of the vehicle being pulled. I've seen pictures of a Maverick pulling an F-150 out of a dry ditch. But the Maverick will likely not pull anything really stuck in the mud or snow; it simply doesn't have the mass.

Bubba Recovery Ropes disagree....

https://www.bubbarope.com/jeeps-and-trucks/bubba-rope-30-foot#145=

I've used them with a CRV Hybrid, a Bronco, an old GMC Sonoma, a 2010 Tacoma - always able to get the vehicle out.

I've pulled out full size trucks, minivans, cargo vans, cars, SxS.....

 

[commadorebob]

Bubba Recovery Ropes disagree....

https://www.bubbarope.com/jeeps-and-trucks/bubba-rope-30-foot#145=

I've used them with a CRV Hybrid, a Bronco, an old GMC Sonoma, a 2010 Tacoma - always able to get the vehicle out.

I've pulled out full size trucks, minivans, cargo vans, cars, SxS.....

I will take your word for it. I've never tried.

 

[Optimus]

This brings the question (at least to MY mind), if any version (2025+) of a HYBRID Mav even comes with proper front tow hooks yet. The original FWD Mav’s did not have front tow hooks at all, and instead just have the two sheetmetal holes as front tow point. Far less sturdy/convenient (IMHO), and was a topic of debate a while back.

Some owners where even motivated to find ways to add OEM front hooks, but sheetmetal/unibody structure is absent on the hybrids. Meaning, you could not simply buy an OEM hook and bolt it on to the front of a Hybrid. The mounting points don’t exist.

 

[710-oil-614]

This brings the question (at least to MY mind), if any version (2025+) of a HYBRID Mav even comes with proper front tow hooks yet. The original FWD Mav’s did not have front tow hooks at all, and instead just have the two sheetmetal holes as front tow point. Far less sturdy/convenient (IMHO), and was a topic of debate a while back.

Some owners where even motivated to find ways to add OEM front hooks, but sheetmetal/unibody structure is absent on the hybrids. Meaning, you could not simply buy an OEM hook and bolt it on to the front of a Hybrid. The mounting points don’t exist.

No Hybrids come with tow hooks. Only FX4 and Tremor.

You only need the tow hooks if you get stuck. You really shouldn't be off roading a Maverick if you don't have Tremor.

 

[Optimus]

You only need the tow hooks if you get stuck. You really shouldn't be off roading a Maverick if you don't have Tremor.

I agree, though I would also add that the hybrid undercarriage is quite fragile (I’ve had all the shields off). I would never take ours off road, as I have a much better vehicle for that. Just recently someone posted a photo on this forum of a hybrid that had it’s coolant lines yanked downwards from an apparent speed bump incident.

I don’t want to drift too far off topic, but a situation similar to your photos involving snow is what I’m thinking. Or for that matter, just ice/slippery conditions are all that’s needed to get a vehicle unable to move , and therefore “stuck.” It doesn’t have to be buried in a ditch, snowbank, mudhole, etc…. In turn, a gentle pull is often all that’s needed to get a “stuck” vehicle out of its situation.

Even if the Mav I owned was a Tremor or FX4 (or built like them), I would still only use it in limited situations to help tow someone else out. These Mavs are awesome small/light/low trucks which make them great for a lot of things, but not so much at others.

 

[Master Blaster]

I wouldn't try it with a hybrid in reverse. Not enough power with only the electric traction motor, as the ICE is not used for reverse.

Given that unless you have the FX4 gas-only model, there is not anywhere at the front to hook up a recovery line. You're only going to pull from the hitch and therefore never in reverse. Even if you have an FX4 with the tow hooks, you need to be very careful about the angles, as the hooks are only rated for 10 degrees maximum angle.

 

[710-oil-614]

Given that unless you have the FX4 gas-only model, there is not anywhere at the front to hook up a recovery line. You're only going to pull from the hitch and therefore never in reverse. Even if you have an FX4 with the tow hooks, you need to be very careful about the angles, as the hooks are only rated for 10 degrees maximum angle.

I would generally say you want to be careful, period. It can be very very dangerous (read: DEADLY) when things go wrong with a vehicle recovery.

I grew up doing it with my Dad and then as a side gig for my job. Although it is all very simple to do - people can forget the basics easily and the results are catastrophic.

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