What gear to tow in?

I have a 2013 4.0 auto. Wondering what gear is best to tow in, D or 4? I am pulling mostly a 20 foot key west cc with a 150. Unsure of the actual weight but it should reach my taco's max by no means. Was checking my trans temp on torque pro, I only get the #1 sensor which I think is the torque converter and it got to around 210 with my coolant temp running about the same.

 

Never, ever, tow in over drive.

In an auto, that meams keeping it in 4th or lower depending on load, rpms...

Do not put it in “D”.

Edit:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

 

what he said ^^^^^^^^^

 

Edit: shouldn't reach sorry

 

I been in 4th but wanted to make sure. Sucks gas pretty good towing.

 

Don’t get greedy, keep it in 4th or lower.

 

I have owned a 81, 89, and 04 all 4 bangers all manual and all before they were Tacoma's so I wanted to make sure

 

Never say, never. But as a default keep it in 4. Depending on the load and terrain operating in D is certainly possible. Remember that just because it is an automatic doesn't mean you can't manually select the best gear for it to be in. And when towing, or even unloaded in mountains I drive mine like it is a manual, just no clutch. I find the truck and I'm happier if I manually downshift before I hit an incline and lose momentum. The auto won't downshift until after that happens. And going downhill I manually select lower gears to save my brakes.

If towing lighter loads on level ground it won't hurt anything to run it in D if you're smart enough to downshift "BEFORE" you start to strain the engine. Exactly the same point where you'd downshift a manual. If you can't, or won't do that then just leave it in 4th gear. It's one of those things you just have to do by the seat of your pants, but if you're coming from a manual it will be easy for you.

I often shift out of D and into 4th gear even unloaded. There are a lot of rural roads that I drive on that are narrow with lots of curves. Anything above 40-45 mph isn't safe. When driving steady at that speed the truck tries to go to 5th gear (OD), but when it does there simply aren't enough rpm's to have any power. The truck struggles and is constantly shifting between 4th and 5th. Under those conditions I drop down to 4th and everything just works better.

 

DownSouthTaco79 Your thinking a 20' Fiberglass Key West with a Yamaha i50 doesn't push 3000lb.s?
Loaded with fuel ice and battery? Bimini top? what do you really think it weighs?
Got a Truck Stop Scales near by?

 

Bad advice to give a noob.... KISS, don’t go into overdrive. Period. No need to say anything else.


————
@Skyway , you forgot to add in the trailer

 

When I towed a 26 foot trailer I always was in 4th and mileage does drop 8-12 mpg terrain/speed based.
Now I tow a 19 Key West boat about 3500lbs and in FL where mostly flat so I will use D on interstate when over 65 and I can see rpm and feel the 5th gear and converter lock. If grades and trans starts hunting back to 4th. Full trans flush at 100k and at 150k will have dealer flush again - yes lots of guys hate full flushes but not me. Also I flush/change coolant every 50k at home opening the 2 block drains and use Toyota coolant. Never gets hot. That's my 2 cents.

 

I have the factory tow package and have been running in 4th and it is mostly flat roads here in south Mississippi. With the factory package I should be good to tow up to 6400 lbs correct? Heaviest thing I pull is my boat.. um or a stuck z71 or the like. Gosh I love pulling those full size out with the little yota

 

Why can't you tow in OD with a Tacoma?

Is it just because the transmission can't handle it. First time I heard this.