How is fording a river in a manual 4x4 different to an automatic 4x4?

I had forded a river with a LR Defender before and usually stuck it in Low 2nd gear and push through the river at 2-3k rpm. Luckily I never got stuck in the middle but I remember reading somewhere that it is easier to ford rivers with an automatic gearbox due to the lack of clutch housing?

Since automatic gearbox won't really stall in the middle of the river, would it be okay to shift it in reverse if stuck?

The automatic is easier because you just drive through without having to Pre-select anything, Reversing is normally avoided because water can be sent up the exhaust

Andy C

Typically, you also want to avoid water that is deeper than half your tire because the engine is likely to stall and leave you stranded.