what gear to drive in when towing?

my wife and I are officially picking up our TT next week!

does anyone recommend driving in a different gear...? like S?

 

Use ECT PWR button. See p211 of owner's manual.

EDIT: You mentions "S" mode so I take it you have an Automatic Transmission.

 

How big of a trailer? Either S5 or S4.

My truck is happy with ECT on, S5 on flats, S4 in hills and wind. 3200 pound pop-up.

It'll let you know where it's comfortable at.

 

it's a 23ft, about 3800lbs. I do have the KDMAXX, so idk if that makes a difference.

 

Tune most definitely helps with towing.

Start with S4. If you find yourself bored and on a long flat stretch, bump it up to 5, watch to see if it can hold gear or if it hunts back and forth between 5th and 4th. If it can, great, you're saving about 0.5-1 mpg with the gear shift. If not, no biggie, let it hang out in 4.

 

Put it in drive and don’t over think it. You bought an automatic so you don’t need to worry about what gear you are in. Enjoy your truck.

 

You'll be looking for a full size truck shortly...

 

hoping to upgrade to the tundra soon. couldn’t pass up on the TT.

 

Yes

 

I would use S4.

 

All of them…

 

S-mode’s purpose is engine braking. If you put the engine in a lower gear while descending or decelerating it will cause the engine to perform some of the braking and thus keep your brakes cooler and save on brake pad wear. It’s also possible it’s a bit safer in low traction situations; albeit I’m not sure it matters in the modern age of ABS brakes.

When I grew up there were a lot more manual transmissions and engine braking was a better known concept. In todays world dominated by automatics (in US anyway; Canada too?) I don’t think engine braking is a well known.

 

how much weight are you towing?

 

TT is about 3800lbs, plus gear we’re hauling, maybe another 200lbs?

 

what engine, does it have the tow package?

 

Under ‘towing tips’ the manual recommends not towing in “D” . I use the ECT and keep it in 4 on hills and back roads . I do switch to D when on long flat highways .

 

I’ve got V6 with tow package

 

Ya, then use the ect button and s4 for climbing hills and you should be ok. You running trailer brakes to?

 

I’ve got the redarc brake controller coming in monday