WOT while Towing

If there is any doubt then default to not towing in OD. But if the road conditions are right you'll be OK with lighter loads. I often tow 3000-3500 lbs. I'll always start off using 4th gear (mine is a 5 speed). But if on level ground, or downhill sections will up shift to OD. But you can't just put the truck in OD and let the truck drive you. If you treat it like a manual and read road conditions downshifting BEFORE the engine starts to strain all will be fine. If you're going to just put it in gear and mindlessly drive then don't use OD.

With heavier loads, or in mountains I manually shift a LOT to keep the truck in the proper gear. Especially helpful going down mountains.

 

@crazysccrmd , I was referencing the beginning of your post, but I could be misinterpreting the tone. There really needs to be a universal font for sarcasm.
So I’m driving a standard (manual) transmission. There is no ATF. Heat is generated in an automatic because the ATF is used as a working fluid. Essentially energy is added to the fluid by a pimp connected to the motor and extracted through a turbine connected to the rest of the transmission. Heat builds in the fluid due to inefficiencies. Not an issue with a manual tranny as the fluid is mainly used for lubrication and is not intended to transfer energy.

 

Totally missed the 6MT part and assumed auto like the majority of folks here. My bad.

 

This...I tow a 3500+ lb. camping trailer quite regularly and I always shift on my own, never just shift to drive. I avoid overdrive, usually just using 4th gear unless there are favorable road conditions as described above. And yes this engine/transmission combo requires a lot of skinny pedal to maintain speed while towing. I usually keep it under 70 unless I find some grade, then it’s a slow as 45-50. Your fine if this is a one off event, but if you tow regularly I’d find the towing bible here on TW for some tips. Heat kills transmissions as stated earlier.

Cheers.

 

Missed the 6MT part as well...

 

What type of gas mileage did you get (approximately) when towing? Also, what do you normally get when not towing? I currently have a 4.0 with AT and get 12 towing 3500 and 18 not towing... looking/dreaming of getting Tacoma with MT.

 

Depends quite a bit. Non-mountains 13-15, mountains 9-12. 2018 DCSB, 3.5, AT, ECT on, 4th gear selected, ~3000-3500 pound trailer, depending on season, duration of trip, and before or after said trip.

Not towing is average about 18 city and highway combined here in San Diego. Straight highway upwards of 20-21.

 

Thanks much... seems about equal to the AT, which I suspected would be, but was hoping could be a lot better... though I still prefer MT

 

I got about 10.5 keeping it at 70 mph; 6x12 covered Uhaul trailer ~3,500 lbs. Without the trailer it varies wildly from 17-25 mpg. Just depends where I’m driving, speed limits vary from 60-75.
Potential longevity concerns aside, ~2,400rpm and ~80% throttle does put the motor in the sweet spot for thermal efficiency.

 

It’s a standard tranny, I’m not the least bit worried about overheating.

Sarcasm is neither necessary nor appreciated so please keep your comments constructive. I could argue all day long about the pros and cons of higher manifold pressures at lower rpms (assuming you’re avoiding detonation, pre ignition, and overheating) vs vice versa. I’m not seeking reassurance/validation for my driving style; I was just wanting to know if this was a normal experience. I mean—I know it’s not a tundra, but geez 4th gear and WOT just to maintain speed up the “hills” of North TX with about half the rated load is a bit surprising.[/QUOTE]
Not surprising. 4th with an MT is where you should be hauling a brick-face trailer trying to maintain 70mph uphill. WOT in 4th seems par to me given the conditions and a V6.

 

Gotcha, the initial post did not mention manual transmission, just gears (which are also shifted on the automatic when towing)
so I figured it was an automatic, because I have never heard anyone complaining about the manual, I have only heard about the superiority of the manual. So no...temperatures are no worry, I guess it was a matter of heavy truck, hills and manual transmission. These trucks are not built to be superior tow vehicles, so there is a trade off for sure.