Manual transmission towing

Just curious if you manual guys ever use 6th gear for towing?

Manual says to avoid, but towing in 5th on a long trip there were several stretches where the engine wasn't straining at all and I felt maybe I could have saved a bit of fuel. My trailer is about 3200lbs loaded, this is a 3rd gen.

 

I have on flat stretches or down hill areas when I didn't need engine braking. Otherwise it isn't much use and I tend to stay in 5th.

 

About the same for me with a 2015. Fifth or sixth doesn't make much of difference in fuel mileage. I've towed in sixth, but find I downshift to fifth at the first slight grade.

 

if U had a ScanGauge ( I run 1 all the time )

U would see that under load little is gained goin to 6th

unless Ur are running 75-80 mph +

the ecm compensates ...............changes the throttle & ignition accordingly

there is a valid amount of ‘ load ‘ on the engine simply getting U down the road

i gained 2mpg simply putting on a shell top = MORE aero than the turbulence of an open bed

only time weight makes a diff is pulling grade

U lose more MPG by the aero tearing up the actual ‘ CD ‘ coefficient of drag

18 wheeler trucks have gained as much 20% advantage & have increased mpg

simply cheating the air

everyone mentions weight o trailer.....................Ur NOT as heavy nor move as much air as a semi

some actually have double overdrives tho they are TUNED to pull double overdrives