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    Quick Links: Towing advice...tranny cooler or no Choosing appropriate WDH Frame hitch receiver mounts - what size bolts? Help needed picking a Rear Bumper Fitting matching wheels/tires to utility trailer? Reviews with different backup camera systems for travel trailer

Towing Question

Discussion in 'Towing' started by tacosport18, Aug 7, 2009.

  1. Aug 7, 2009 at 8:50 AM
    #1
    tacosport18

    #1
    tacosport18 [OP] Member

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    Jeff
    Pittsburgh, PA
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    09 TRD Sport DCSB
    I am new to this board and I recently purchased my first Tacoma (09 TRD Sport, DBL Cab SHort Bed w/ towing package) and I am getting ready to tow a 3000lb fishing boat with it. My question is should I use drive 4 or 3 when towing the boat? My father's was told by several mechinics to pull in drive 3 in his chevy silverado to avoid tranny problems down the road (he had OD, 3,2,1 for his automatic). As the tacoma has OD, 4, 3, 2, L, I wanted to know what everyone uses / recommends for towing. I was thinking towing in 3 or 4 for city driving, 4 on highways? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

    Jeff
     
    tacosport18, Aug 7, 2009
    #1
  2. Aug 7, 2009 at 8:52 AM
    #2
    Incognito

    #2
    Incognito No better friend, no worse enemy

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    VA
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    Spacer lift, bumper stickers, ejector seat, etc.
    Try to keep it out of overdrive. I'd say go 4th gear, because I don't think you'll have any problems with it struggling.
     
    Incognito, Aug 7, 2009
    #2
  3. Aug 7, 2009 at 9:21 AM
    #3
    petersharp

    #3
    petersharp Well-Known Member

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    Do you need to ask?! It's up there ^
    Louisville, CO
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    Ex DC LB Sport owner.
    From what I understand the reason for keeping it in a lower gear for towing is to stop it constantly changing gear if you're in a hilly area or just on the border (speed-wise) of two gears. If it's in one gear and stays in there quite happily then I think you'll be ok.
     
    petersharp, Aug 7, 2009
    #3
  4. Aug 10, 2009 at 7:02 AM
    #4
    tacosport18

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    tacosport18 [OP] Member

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    Thanks for the input guys.
     
    tacosport18, Aug 10, 2009
    #4
  5. Aug 10, 2009 at 7:12 AM
    #5
    chris4x4

    #5
    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
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    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    I tow a 3000# boat often, and I leave it in Drive, unless it starts to "hunt" between 4th and 5th on hills. Then, I just drop it in 4th.
     
    chris4x4, Aug 10, 2009
    #5
  6. Aug 10, 2009 at 7:14 AM
    #6
    ClemsonTacoma

    #6
    ClemsonTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Lexington, SC
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    We tow our sailboat in D...its not that much prob 1000lbs but we have overdrive i thought 4 was OD
     
    ClemsonTacoma, Aug 10, 2009
    #6
  7. Aug 10, 2009 at 7:16 AM
    #7
    chris4x4

    #7
    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
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    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    "Overdrive" is a gear ratio that is lower than 1 to 1, for example a .85 to 1. I belive out 4th gear in the autos is a 1 to 1 ratio
     
    chris4x4, Aug 10, 2009
    #7
  8. Aug 10, 2009 at 7:21 AM
    #8
    ClemsonTacoma

    #8
    ClemsonTacoma Well-Known Member

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    so do we have an overdrive button or something?...when im driving and i drop it to 4 it seems like overdrive in other cars/trucks
     
    ClemsonTacoma, Aug 10, 2009
    #8
  9. Aug 10, 2009 at 7:23 AM
    #9
    chris4x4

    #9
    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    FlimFlubberJAM
    Tenoe, AZ
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    4.10 gears, sliders, and lots of buttons.
    An "Over drive" lowers the rpm's. 5th gear is the "Over drive".
     
    chris4x4, Aug 10, 2009
    #9
  10. Aug 10, 2009 at 7:24 AM
    #10
    ClemsonTacoma

    #10
    ClemsonTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Pioneer DEH-P5100UB single din HU and black dash kit, Alpine 12" sub custom inverted box bed liner'd, various interior trim painted black, 48 blue LED domelight, cheepo floor mats, hose clamp mod, Cobra CB and knock off firestik, Stock steelie rims, with 265/75/16 Sumitomo HTR Sport A/T's
    Oh, not really good with all these terms...never mind then...
     
    ClemsonTacoma, Aug 10, 2009
    #10

Products Discussed in

Mobil 1 104361 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)
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CIPA 11950 Adjustable Clip-On front Towing Mirror Black & Silver, 15.75"
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Hayden 679 Universal 11” Rapid-Cool Add-On Transmission Cooler to Enhance Cooling (not for direct replacement of the factory unit)
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CURT 56584 Replacement Vehicle-Side Custom USCAR 5-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness , Black
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ALEOED M12x1.25 mm Self-Locking Nylon Insert Hex Lock Nuts, Pack of 6
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StowAway Hitch Tightener, Anti-Rattle Stabilizer for 2" and 1.25" Hitches. Made in USA.
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Fekuar 6" Slim 650CFM Radiator Cooling Fans Universal Slim Pull Push 12V 80W Direct Replacement Electric Fan with Mount Kit
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Reese Towpower 21794 Class III Interlock Ball Mount, Black, 8
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Anti Rattle Hitch Tightener Stabilizer No Sway for 2" and 1.25" Steel Heavy Duty Rust Free
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GEARWRENCH Heavy-Duty Large Hose Clamp Pliers - 3978D, Black
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Suspa C16-08316 C1608316 20" Gas Prop, Quantity (2), Force 40 Lbs Per Prop, Force Per Set 80 Lbs, Camper Rear Window, Tonneau Cover Lift Supports, Window Lift Support, Struts, Made in USA
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Hopkins Towing Solutions 40974 Multi-Tow 7 Blade and 4 Flat Connector (Packaging may vary),3.25 x 3.88 x 6.88,grey
$24.99
SHURFLO 94-591-01 Pump Silencing Kit - 36"
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Hopkins 48925 Tail Light Converter with 4 Wire Flat Extension
$27.29
Camco Tow-N-See Mirror | Features Quick and Simple Installation & Attaches to Existing Side Mirror | Perfect to Add to RV Accessories, Truck Accessories, Car Accessories & More | Convex Style (25668)
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Reese Towpower 78118 Professional Wiring Adapter, 7-Way Blade to 4- or 5-Way Flat, LED Circuit Tester,Regular
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Hitch Clamp - Heavy Duty, 2" - Made in The USA - Hitch Tightener, Anti Rattle Device, Receiver clamp
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Nalgene Titan Wide Mouth Water Bottle, Blue, 48oz, Model Number: 340607
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OCR 260 PCS 6-25mm Fuel Line Hose Spring Clip Clamps Fasteners Silicone Vacuum Hose Pipe Clamp Steel Wire Air Tube Water Pipe Clip 12 Sizes
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Lubegard 19001 Kooler Kleen Transmission Cooler Flush, 13.25 oz.
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CURT 40053 Stainless Steel Trailer Hitch Ball, 6000 lbs, 2" Diameter, 1 x 2-1/8" Shank
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BEP 701 Battery Disconnect Switch
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Reese 70447 Drawbar
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Pro Taper 1.5" Tie Downs (Black)
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CURT 45112 Class 3 Trailer Hitch Ball Mount, Fits 2" Receiver, 5000 lbs, 1" Hole, 10" Drop, Gloss Black Powder Coat
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Draw-Tite Tow Ready 63201 J-Pin Anti-Rattle Pin and Barrel Lockset for 2" Square Receivers
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CIPA 11960 Universal Towing Mirror
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Smittybilt 3" x 30-feet Tow Strap (Yellow) - CC330
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Hopkins Towing Solutions Hopkins 40975 Multi-Tow Plug-In Simple Wiring Kit
$36.79
ESP Truck Accessories Brake Controller Mounting kit for 2016-2019 Toyota Tacoma Compatible with Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller
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MaxxHaul 70067 Trailer Hitch - 8-Position Adjustable Ball Mount Tow Hitch - 5000 lbs. GTW Capacity , Black
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Softride Quiet Ride Locking Tightening Hitch Pin; Anti-Rattle for Receiver Hitches, Bike Racks, or Boat Trailers; Silence the "clanking" noise that occurs while towing (25219)
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Hopkins Towing Solutions 43385 Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Kit
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Draw-Tite 118496 T-One Connector for Toyota T100/Tacoma
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Reese Towpower 21512 Multiple-Ball Ball Mount,Black,Medium
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Reese Towpower 21141 Adjustable Ball Mount , Black
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Hopkins Towing Solutions 43395 Plug-In Simple Vehicle to Trailer Wiring Kit
$43.14
CURT 56080 7-Foot Vehicle-Side Truck Bed 7-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness Extension , Black
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Omix-Ada | 11233.01 | License Plate Bracket, Black | OE Reference: 55007403 | Fits 1978-1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ
$40.31
Hopkins Towing Solutions 43315 Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Kit
$50.95
Pyle Backup Rear View Car Camera Monitor Screen System Kit - Parking & Reverse Safety Distance Scale Lines, Waterproof, Night Vision, IR LED Lights, 3.5" LCD Video Color Display for Vehicles - PLCM36
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Valley Tow 30127 T-Connector
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