Transmission questions for towing boat

So this boat and trailer has a dry weight of 4,200 or so pounds. I plan on weighing it this weekend to find out the exact tongue weight. I'm guessing with fuel (32 gal) and gear I'll easy be over 5k in boat and with family in the Truck that will be Maxed out as well. I'll be installing the air ride air bags this weekend as well. My main question is when driving, do I just leave the transmission in drive and let it do it's thing? I only have about Ten miles pulling it so far and holy hell I know it's back there. I noticed that when I leveled out at 65 mph it dropped all the way into over drive and I believe that's a no no right? I have the tow package with the tranny cooler.

Funny thing is I drive a semi for a living and do nothing but tow stuff, but I don't have much experience with an auto transmission on a gas engine close to capacity. Thanks for answering something that I have no doubt has been answered before ha ha.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-tacoma-towing-bible.4031/

This should answer all your questions! I believe the auto guys drop it down to 4 to keep the tranny from hunting gears.

 

Ok thank you. I have read through a lot of that but missed any of the stuff for third gen. I know a lot of it is interchangeable but I'll keep reading.

 

Yeah the same stuff should apply to the third gen. If you're going to tow regularly, look into an ultraguage or a scanguage to monitor your transmission temps.

 

10-4. Definitely not towing every day but plenty of 30-120 mile trips with the family over the summer. Scanguage might be worth it

 

A less expensive option is to get a Bluetooth OBDII reader off of Amazon for $20 and download the torque app. Essentially the same thing, since you're able to monitor a bunch of stuff.

 

Oh ok. I already have a carista module with the paid subscription to their app. Maybe that will do it. Didn't even think of that. I bought that to turn off the damn seat belt chime haha.

 

I bought the OBD fusion app (iPhone) it's $9.99 and then the upgrade for Toyota, another $9.99 and I'm able to watch the transmission temp plus a million other things that are beyond my needs and wants. Thanks for the heads up. Way cheaper than a scan Guage.

 

Shweeeet! Glad you were able to save some coin.

 

did you need to purchase/install anything else for this app to work? I have a 2016 Tacoma, will this work just with the bluetooth feature on the radio?

 

You will need a Bluetooth OBD adapter. I have the carista unit but there's plenty to choose from. If you go to this apps website it has a list of compatible adapters. I think some are as low as 9 bucks. It will into the OBD plug which is under the trim by your left knee.

 

I think a good rule is keep the torque converter locked to get the best trans fluid cooling. When you hear the engine speed increase a bit without a downshift (or see the tach jump a few hundred RPM's) manually downshift. With the new 6-spd auto I'd probably keep it in 5th, then manually go to 4th as soon as the torque converter unlocks.

 

Thanks Monkeyface. I'm finally getting some good miles pulling the boat lately and I'm just keeping it in 4th and staying at or under 65. I know what you're talking about with the small jump in RPM. At 65 I'm just under 3k rpm and it feels just right going down the road. Also watching the tranny temps, they barely come above 195. But it still is in the 50's and 60's here in mn so I'm sure that will change during the summer.

 

Per the manual: use S mode and shift into 4th becuse 5 and 6 are over drive. Also use the ECt button, pushes back the shift points to keep the revs up, really needed since all the power from the 3.5 are higher up in the revs

 

Put in 4th and go. It will do fine. Don't expect to pass many cars. On tall grades I use the ECT button but still keep it in 4th.

 

I have a 15 Tacoma, OBD2 adapter this one:

$14 Veepeak Mini Bluetooth OBD II Scanner for Android ONLY, Auto Check Engine Light Code Reader Car Diagnostic Scan Tool

https://www.amazon.com/Veepeak-Blue...Bluetooth+OBD2+Diagnostic+Scanner+for+Android

with torque pro app on my phone.
It connects and displays info, but will not display the transmission temp.
Is this a Toyota problem not sending the tranny temp info, or an adapter problem not reading it correctly.

 

I'm not sure. I know in the app that I use I had to pay another $9.99 to get access to the "premium things" like transmission temp and other stuff. $20 app still way cheaper then a scan Guage.

 

You have an automatic transmission, right?

 

EatSleepTacos, Yes I have an automatic tranny.

I don't think the problem is with Torque Pro App as I had it with a different adapter on another vehicle and it displayed auto tranny temp on the Torque Pro App.

Does the Taco send a tranny temp reading through the OBD port? If it does, then I'm thinking the problem is with the Veepeak adapter.