3rd Generation towing gear

I got a 2021 SR4 DCLB.
I tow a Casita, which weighs approx 3000-3500 loaded.
While generally it tows well, I noticed when towing in 5th, as recommended in manual, that:
1. seems to have a 5th gear overdrive. I have read before not to tow in overdrive... but back then there was only overdrive for the highest gear (that I know of).
2. seems to shift from 5th OD to 5th reg fairly often in some situations, like a modest headwind on flat ground. And does a lot of shifting down to 4th with very modest rolling hills/inclines.

On last trip I finally just dropped to 4th and ran about 2500 rpms for a long section of 55mph heavily enforced roadway to stop the constant shifting... for a rolling "hills" section I would drop down to 4th, after it already downshifted into 4th, and keep it there to the top of the incline to prevent back and forth shifting while continuing up the incline.

What gear do you tow in?

Is using the 5th gear, with its OD, really ok?

Thanks

 

5th and 6th gear are Over Drive.
They are les than 1:1
4 is 1:1 in the 6 speed 3rd Gen.

What you are referring to is the Torque Converter Locking and Unlocking.
If the Manual says use 5th, then use it.

I own a 2nd Gen. I tow in 4th which is NOT and Over Drive gear.
It is 1:1

Honestly, I’d probably wait for some other 3rd Gen guys to chime in.
I don’t know if your Tran uses any type converter lock-up in 4th. (That’s why I say use what the manual says)

I personally would put it in the gear where it isn’t constantly shifting and Locking/Unlocking the converter. And use ETC.

 

Always S4 with ECT on when I tow my trailer tent 2000pound dry.

 

Thanks
What is ECT?

 

I'm fairly certain my 2020 user manual says to tow in S4, not S5, with ECT on (the little button on the far left of the center stack in the dash).

I won't put it into S5 unless it's an obvious long flat stretch.

 

Thanks.
I double checked 2021 manual... says 5th or lower... and I missed the ECT power comment in the manual...

p.s. I'll probably being towing in 4th unless really flat with tail wind.

 

Interesting! Guess I need to go double check to see what mine says. Curious if it's different for some reason or if I just completely made up that memory...

 

There seems to be a cult following for towing in 4th only, and there is some adecdotal evidence that the overdrove gears could damage your transmission. The manual says tow in 5th or lower...thats what I do. If I am on an incline and the tranny is hunting between 5th and 4th, I will downshift to hold 4th.

 

Not a cult following. Common sense. If you can’t hold a certain speed in S5 (headwind, inclines), put ‘er in 4. Just like you said above.

I know mine will not behave the way I want in 5th (without a tailwind) so I just use S4. Works for me.

 

My 2019 says S4. I do pull my light weight 1542 Jon boat in S5 though. Boat, trailer, and gear are 1000# or less.

 

Every truck and every load is different. You need to adjust your gearing for the conditions.

 

When people say leave it in 4th, does that mean 1-2-3 gears are no good? I'm sometimes even jumping down to 2nd gear for super steep climbs. Dumb question now that I read it out lout to myself but someone please educate this noob.

 

Just because it is an automatic doesn't mean you have to let the computer choose the gear you need to be in. It is OK to manually select what works best for you. Learn to drive the truck instead of letting the truck drive you. You can see the road ahead and anticipate what gear you'll need. So far technology can't do that. Your truck is only reacting to changes after they happen, you can be proactive.

My 2nd gen Tacoma only has 5 speeds and if towing any weight I tow in 4th. If pulling an empty utility trailer I may use 5th on level ground. But once hills or mountains come into play I'm constantly shifting to the best gear. My F150 is a 6 speed where 5th and 6th are both OD. It gets driven in 4th a lot.

If you have the truck in 4th gear everything 1-4 works as usual. It just won't shift above 4th gear. If you drop to 3, 2, or 1 the same happens.

When towing or driving in mountains the truck downshifts AFTER the engine starts to strain and you lose momentum. It is better to read the road and downshift the truck manually to 4th, 3rd, 2nd, or even 1st if necessary BEFORE the engine starts to strain. And going down the other side in 2nd or 3rd gear, sometimes even 1st will use engine braking to slow you down and save brakes. This applies even when not towing.

Even when not towing there is no reason to be in either OD gear unless you're going to be consistently at 55-60 mph or more. If in conditions where speeds over 55 just ain't gonna happen drive in 4th gear, or the highest non OD gear depending on your vehicle. You and the truck will be happier, and you'll get better fuel mileage.

 

It's not too different than driving a manual. You can feel when the truck is working or not and help out by selecting the right gear.

I tow a boat that's about 3000 pounds ready to tow. It's more aerodynamic than any travel trailer so should be an easier tow. I usually drive 55-65mph. On really long flat stretches or going downhill it's happy in 5th. But most of the time I'm in 4th and it feels happier when it traffic or light grades turning 2600-2800 rpm.

 

I tow a similar weight but different trailer. A Starcraft Satellite. I tow in “S” with ECT on. Yes it gear hunts a lot. Though I didn’t sag, also have a WDH which significantly improved handling. I do have a ARE high rise topper which picked me up about 2.5 mpg, do to better aerodynamics, so I figure it helps with gear hunting also.

 

Towing around 3000# with full payload on relatively flat terrain it should not be “gear hunting” in S4/ECT unless you are on the factory “stock” tune. Any one of the modified OVTunes such as KDMax or Valley Runner makes gear hinting a thing of the past.