Can I tow in S5 or not? r/confused

I recently purchased a set of Yamaha VX Cruisers and I have read some conflicting opinions on whether I can or can't utilize S5 while towing. Wanted to make this post to hopefully get some input. I do not have an owner's manual to reference, previous owner lost it and I haven't gotten a new one. Also, I feel it's important to note that prior to buying these skis I had only ever towed a trailer a handful of times in my life. The first time I took these to the ramp and tried to back them in was embarassing, if that tells you anything. But I have just about got it down now

Trailer: 475lbs
Dry weight of skis: 664LBS x 2 = 1,328lbs
If gas tanks are full: 15gal x 6lbs = 90lbs x 2 = 180lbs
Misc. items in tongue box: <50lbs
Total weight: about 2,033lbs

I'll be towing them probably once a month to various places along the gulf in MS/AL (about 50 miles one way) and to Lake Martin, AL (about 200 miles one way) a few times this summer

I started off with S4 set, but when I realized how much that killed my MPG I tried out S5 on some flatter sections of interstate. In S5 it seems fine, but I don't want my trans to overheat. it will downshift from 5th to 4th with any substantial incline or if I need to pass another driver. In my head, the engine screaming in S4 just seems unnecessary when it can pull them just fine in S5.

Looking for any input from those who are more experienced at towing with their taco.
With this load and the trips I'll be making, do I run the risk of damaging the trans if I tow in S5 too long? Or, should I just play it safe and stay in S4, and try to ignore my poor little screaming 3.5?

 

Let it rev, gas is way cheaper than transmission rebuild and the engine is built for revs.

 

Thanks for input. Are you saying that if I tow this load in S5 I would indeed be at risk of hurting the trans? Or is “letting it rev” just your preference?

 

I tow in S5... Sometimes.

Granted, this is for all-day towing. If you're just running to the ramp and back, it's no question, leave it in 4th and forget about it.

It's a rare day where it can hold 5th with any kind of trailer. Any slight hint of wind or hill and it starts to gear hunt, and you really don't want it hunting for extended periods when towing.

If you can get it to hold 5th on a lonely country stretch, let it run. If it starts shifting frequently, drop it to 4th and leave it there. Similarly if you're short tripping it or are in traffic, keep it in 4th. The small milage boost in 5th is nice, but it doesn't exactly break the trip if I'm not achieving it.

 

What he said. Also, you can download an online version of the owners manual.

 

On your truck 4th gear is a 1:1 input/output gear ratio and both 5th gear and 6th gear are overdrive gears. Towing in an overdrive on anything other than flat/level/easy puts significant stress on our transmission due to the overdrive.

Think of it this way, put your 10-speed bicycle in any of the top 7th/8th/9th/top gear and pedal up any kind of a hill or into a decent wind. Your power is the same, the gears are straining.

Towing is best limited to the 1:1 ratio. On trucks with tow/haul mode that mode locks out the overdrive ratios.

You can tow in S5, my recommendation is not to. Good news is you are not trying to tow in 6th!

 

My owners manual says

 

When I'm towing (approx. 800-900 lbs) I'll use S5 and S4 all day long, unless the terrain is flat. Even in S4 goiing 70mph, the truck will keep a steady speed without the constant hunting between 5th & 6th.

 

S4. All day. Any day.

I still get an average of 13 mpg in S4 towing a lot more weight than you anticipate out here (AZ) at elevation (7k feet-ish) and going up long, steep grades.

Hunting camp for two weeks:

 

Jet skis have 15 gallon tanks? Huh, you learn something new every day... That seems like a lot.

 

70 in S4 is like 2900-3000 rpm with your setup (stock auto with 3.909s). That is not screaming or anywhere close to it. I’d leave it there for good without second thought. It’s unlikely that S5 actually helps mpg due to how tall 5th is on the auto.

If it helps you feel any better, the way I regeared my manual puts me at 2900 at 70 in top gear. So I essentially drive similar to your 4th gear permanently in my manual’s 6th gear. I love it. And I tow in 5th, 65@3200.

 

At what speed are you wanting to tow?

 

Right lane interstate speeds... 65-70 typically and 75 max

 

My one owner 2002 Honda Aquatrax has a 16 gallon tank. Honda recommends 91 octane too. They get terrible gas mileage and lots of smiles per gallon.

 

That seems bonkers to me. I just assumed they were in the ballpark of a motorcycle tank.

 

These yamaha marine engines are thirsty, lol. Even at their most effecient speed (6000rpm) they still burn close to 4 gallons an hour. Ethanol free gas, too... $$$

 

The default answer is to run in 4th gear. With a trailer that light, on level roads and close to sea level you aren't going to hurt anything in OD. But you have to pay attention and drive the truck like it is a manual without a clutch. If you read the road ahead and downshift BEFORE the truck starts to struggle with the weight, It's not going to hurt it.

If you're the type who puts the Transmission in D and never thinks about it, then just use 4th gear. It is the weight and the wind resistance of the trailer that is killing your fuel mileage. Running it in OD vs 4th gear isn't going to impact fuel mileage much at all. I'd estimate 13ish MPG pulling that trailer with that load at 65-70 mph. If you decide to go over 70mph it could drop into single digits.

 

What ^^^ Marshall said……