I 100% agree. All I was suggesting is that the other is an alternative that works and lets you still have fun on the trail. I wasn't suggesting anybody drive out of their comfort zone or anything. @jodomcfrodo this is a normal technique used by pretty much anybody that has done a very steep decent in an automatic and in a pinch would work just fine with a manual. I don't mean to argue the point, sorry if it sounded that way. There just aren't any trails that are stick only so all of us that wheel difficult areas with automatics know this is how it works. I mean really, from your comment it does sound like you haven't made a decent in an auto. You have to rely on the brakes and no, it's not dangerous or something a beginner would do.
I've driven plenty of automatics off-road, ranging from a stock JKU to a LS buggy with a 4L80E. I've spent more time wheeling my manual TJ, but I have enough experience on trails in automatics.
If you use the foot brake in high range on some of the muddy forest service roads I used to wheel, you'd end up in a tree or ditch fairly quickly. Besides smooth constant deceleration, another advantage to using the engine is that you can blip the throttle to straighten out if the back starts to come around on you. With the foot brake, you are just holding on for the ride once your wheels lock. When it comes to high traction, somewhat steep descents, I'm sure using the brakes works fine. But that only works for so long until you find steeper or slipperier obstacles.
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