Why do pictures never look as steep?

[Firesong]

More specifically, you challenged yourself to get
somewhere. It's steep terrain. Everything in your
vehicle falls to the back of the vehicle.
You make it!! yeehah!
You actually remember to take pictures and
when you get home they don't look steep at
all!
Here's my example.
We went fishing today. The lake was suuuuuper
low. Couldn't use the normal dirt launch.
Some brain cell in my head fired up and said
hey go look around. Then you find something
that might possibly work. Then as you are backing
down you go... oh boy I think I made a mistake.
Cause it's steep.
Here are the pictures.. they almost look lame!

James

[39Ronin]

I know what you mean, this was a short steep grade. On the way down you actually have to hold the wheel with stiff arms to stop yourself from kissing the windshield, but they still look lame. The only evidence that is steep is in the picture when I am going up, you can see how close my bumper is to the ground.

[delicat]

I don't know, seems to work fine with me...

[39Ronin]

SHOW OFF!

[Todd64]

To the Op your horizon was way off. If you level it it does look steep. Here's a PS job with level horizon.



Here's my Outback on one of my city streets.

[Firesong]

Ronin.. those look pretty steep to me.
Nice ride.. what is it?

J

[mararmeisto]

Todd64: how often do you have to change the e-brake cable? Parking on a hill like that all the time must give it quite the workout!

[Todd64]

Haven't changed it yet and I use it everyday. I don't live on this street. Even though I have a AWD in the winter it's a bitch.

[Firesong]

I tried the photoshop thing :)
One brief moment during the boat retrieval I looked out.
My wife was helping although I wasn't really watching
her. I noticed she had no where to go if the traction
started to slip while I backing down.
She wasn't happy that I yelled at her. I was kinda
worried. She would have been pinned between the
delica and the causeway. I did apologize
profusely though. Was really worried.
OK
here's a modified photo.
Interesting thought about the e-brake. I really had to pull mine
to get it to secure the van at the bottom. Might have
to do a readjustment soon.

James

[loki]

Might have
to do a readjustment soon.

James

I think to adjust it you can just sit and pull it on and off repeatedly and that will adjust it.

[mararmeisto]

Might have
to do a readjustment soon.

James

I think to adjust it you can just sit and pull it on and off repeatedly and that will adjust it.

The Delica has no auto-adjust, but the adjustment is at the rear of the brake handle, not underneath the vehicle like some cars.

[39Ronin]

Ronin.. those look pretty steep to me.
Nice ride.. what is it?

J

Mercedes G class, an old school one. Comes from the factory with solid axles, four coil suspension and factory hydraulic front and rear diff locks. But becasue its roots were military the old diesel G's didn't have a turbo, it only has 88HP and is extremely heavy for this class of vehicle. I am in the middle of a rebuild with a turbo Mercedes motor right now and it will increase the HP to about 130. Once the new motor is in I will upgrade the tires to 33 x10.5, but with a little trimming the G can fit 35's stock.

[Adrock]

No time to be polite when safety is a concern. The only time I really yell at anyone is when they do something that could get them or me hurt or killed. It just sort of happens.

I tried the photoshop thing :)
One brief moment during the boat retrieval I looked out.
My wife was helping although I wasn't really watching
her. I noticed she had no where to go if the traction
started to slip while I backing down.
She wasn't happy that I yelled at her. I was kinda
worried. She would have been pinned between the
delica and the causeway. I did apologize
profusely though. Was really worried.
OK
here's a modified photo.
Interesting thought about the e-brake. I really had to pull mine
to get it to secure the van at the bottom. Might have
to do a readjustment soon.

James

[Blackberry]

Might have
to do a readjustment soon.

James

I think to adjust it you can just sit and pull it on and off repeatedly and that will adjust it.

The Delica has no auto-adjust, but the adjustment is at the rear of the brake handle, not underneath the vehicle like some cars.

Many vehicles turn the rear brake shoe adjustment wheels out (reducing shoe-to-drum clearance) each time the e-brake is used. Technically speaking this isn't adjusting the e-brake, but the end result is it appears as if the e-brake has been adjusted tighter. I don't really like that design as it'll over-tighten the rear shoes causing premature wear if you use the e-brake often...which is why I only use mine when it's really required (rarely)...and with a 21 (or is it 22? I forget) to 1 compression ratio, it's not required if the van's on a slight grade (left in gear - I've a 5spd). Of course if it pops out of gear...

[Erebus]

Many vehicles turn the rear brake shoe adjustment wheels out (reducing shoe-to-drum clearance) each time the e-brake is used. Technically speaking this isn't adjusting the e-brake, but the end result is it appears as if the e-brake has been adjusted tighter. I don't really like that design as it'll over-tighten the rear shoes causing premature wear if you use the e-brake often...which is why I only use mine when it's really required (rarely)...and with a 21 (or is it 22? I forget) to 1 compression ratio, it's not required if the van's on a slight grade (left in gear - I've a 5spd). Of course if it pops out of gear...

I was under the impression that most did the adjusting when you brake hard while reversing. I use the e-brake all the time (leftover from driving manuals). Eliminates the strain on the park mechanism on the manual. And if you don't regularly use the e-brake it tends to seize up (on many vehicles anyway).