Towing with 4th gen

For those of you towing, how has your experience been and what have you found to be the best gear for towing at highway speeds? I routinely tow ~3K with my 3G and can usually get by with towing primarily in S5 with some downshifting and occasional torque converter unlocking. Its not ideal but I dont like running S4 for long periods of time. Curious if the 4G is better at towing given more gear ratios.

 

Towing update... Took out my boat (approximately 4,600 pounds wet, boat & trailer) yesterday, approximately 30 miles to the lake, and the 4th gen performed outstanding. Most of the trip is flat until I approach the lake and it's a 3 mile climb to the harbor. I must say the 4th gen out performed my 2nd gen (and I'm a big 2nd gen fan. I thought the 2nd gen was the best midsize truck tow vehicle, imho.) During the climb, I had to put my 2nd gen (V6, AT, 4 wheel drive, LB) in 3rd to avoid having the trans find the correct gear (shifted too much for me in 4th gear). The 4th gen, on the other hand, pulled the boat without one auto shift change. All the truck wanted to do was go faster . Touche Toyota.

 

Towed my empty trailer last weekend, about 1200 lbs, towed fine, but I can't help you with gears, I have a manual.

I've towed with automatics before though, turn on tow/haul mode if equipped, if not using "sport" mode is the 2nd best option, it raises the shift points. If in OD it hunts for gear, downshift to D.

 

You good backing it up an incline or do you need to slip the clutch alot?

 

It was all flat. I'll backup mostly flat or downhill, rarely uphill. I'll use 4-low when the tractor is on the trailer.

However, I'm familiar with the problem, had a 2012 Xterra and I had to backup in 4 low like with these.

Wish reverse was geared like 1st or lower. Looking forward for someone to figure out if we can do a 2-low mod.

 

Last weekend I towed my 3400lbs camper about 325 miles. Made a video with some thoughts…
https://youtu.be/ITFRHZthfLU?si=BGhaz50i2FGw6Myu