Towing Heavy Load Question

I’d recommended an additional cooler. The stock cooler is pretty puny. Towing my ~3500 boat (total weight) in ~85 degree weather and pretty flat terrain, my trans temps will get up to about 175 if I keep it out of OD. Leaving it in OD will make the tranny temps scream up since the TC pretty much stays unlocked.

 

175 is normal operating temp (if not on the low end of normal) and you shouldn't be towing in D.

 

Are you looking at torque converter out or pan temps. Two VERY different readings.

If OP stays moving he will be fine. Just did a trip loaded with stock coolers up and over the grapevine loaded down half decent, never saw pan temps above 190 doing 65mph in 3rd.

 

I think you'll be fine. If it were something I did on a regular basis I'd prefer a bigger truck. But at 5200 lbs you're at the upper limits of what is practical with a Tacoma despite the 6400 lb tow rating.

The real limit is your payload capacity. With that load + the weight of a Weight Distribution Hitch you're looking at almost 800 lbs tongue weight. My truck only has 1200 lbs payload, yours is probably somewhere near that. That only leaves me 400 lbs for myself, passengers and cargo in the truck. My wife and I combined weigh 360. I'd tow that with my truck, but I'd be careful to not carry too much weight in the truck when doing it. Maybe leave the wife at home.

 

I agree you shouldn’t tow in D, but undoubtedly there are plenty of people who do, not realizing the damage they could be causing. Also ATF life drops by half for every 20 degrees above normal operating temperature, so I don’t mind keeping mine at the low end of the band.

This article has some good information about ATF temps.

 

For OP, he likely wont be able to hold 5th lockup so yes, throw it in 4th. That stated, if you can hold 5th locked, trans temps will be the same as they are in 4th locked.

 

Absolutely. I’ve found even towing a small utility trailer empty the TC will stay unlocked most of the time. Given it’s a bit hilly where I live, but I think it’s safe to say anytime you are towing you should keep it in 4.

 

Oh for sure, you definitely wont hurt anything by towing in 4th, but extra MPG's can be had if you can actually hold 5th lockup.

 

Yeah I’ve tried it before, but really didn’t have much luck. I really wish you could force the Tc to stayed locked up. I don’t mind losing speed up a hill if I can tow in D.

 

Might check out the HPTuner thread. Fully adjustable trans shift points and tc lockup. I have my 4th and 5th lockup set to release later so it stays in lockup way longer. (Also have it so 4th lockup occurs sooner)

 

Hey OP, just curious...have you considered flat-towing the Roxor? I flat-tow my Suzuki Samurai and haven't had any issues (knock on wood) even when I was in and out of the Rockies in CO.

 

I have thought about it yet. I am a little worried about the wear and tear on the rear and front diff. I need to look into that more. It would definitely be a lot lighter while towing. I also need to look into a dolly for the front wheels.

 

Yes this! You said it just like I would have.

 

Rookie question here, but what do you guys mean by lockup? Just simply keeping it in one gear the whole time? Or is there something else mechanically/electrically happening that is locking the trans into a gear?

 

It’s when the torque converter is locked up. When the converter is locked there is less heat being generated than unlocked with slippage. Example would be if you came to a stop with torque converter locked the engine would stall just like if it was a manual transmission without the clutch being pushed in

 

I hear you. For the Samurai I simply make sure my hubs are free, and leave both the transfer case and tranny in neutral, then disconnect my battery. I'll tow at about 65mph, unless it's super flat, then I'll bump up to 70. Knock on wood I've never been in a bind flat-towing her, as the Tacoma handles it pretty well.

How do you like the Roxor?

 

You shouldn't have any trouble. I tow this all the time, and my Habitat and camping gear weight another ... 800 ish lbs. I have HD leaf springs, so not suggesting the weight, just saying it does fine towing across the state and back engine/tranny-wise. I also have a mountain pass on this trip. Just don't blast through at 75 (done it, gas mileage is like 6) do 55-65 and you'll be fine (might even get 11mpg!)

Your canopy is a plus. It really helped my MPGs back when I had one like yours, compared to an open bed.