Well....at a Santa Barbara event hosted by Hummer...they actually taught us the BTM technique. That's Brake-Thottle-Modulation (for those who are thinking I'm referring to a bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwich).
But at the Gorman event a Hummer mechanic and Hummer rep explained that the factory has issued an edict that we NOT utilize BTM technique on account of the excessive load it places on the tranny and transfer case.
Besides, BTM is referred to as a "poor-mans locker". It's an accidently discovered technique to overcome an open differential and lack of locker. Since we have a locker on the rear, and our Traction control working for our front (and rear when we're not locked)...there really is no need for us to use BTM.
The only purpose BTM (which is the light/medium application of braking pressure being applied in conjunction with acceleration) serves is to allow a smoother movement over obstacles. Example:
If your rear tire is about to climb over a large rock...you may have to apply gas, then a bit more, and more until your H2 almost suddenly lifts up and quickly 'pops' over the rock. As an alternative, you could augment your conquering the rock with some braking pressure...this way you would sorta creep up the rock in a smoother fashion...not so much a jerking 'pop' over the rock. The braking kinda regulates the movement so your less jerky...get it???
As a last note...you'd think the H1 would have the ultimate in 4x4 technology, being at a cost of over $100K. Well, get this: only until this year did they even come with a rear locker! And as far as a traction control system...only a few have the TT4 system...and rumor has it the system is utterly worthless. I'm telling ya...this H2 is loaded with the very best 4x4 technology...perhaps that's why an H2 made it up a very steep hill twice..where (at Gorman) an H1 flipped over trying to go up the very same hill!!!! Wanna see it, here it is:
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