How's it tow/ what have you towed?

I just brought this home from the mill today. Believe it or not this small load is maxed out at 4500kg combined. That's max without cvor. http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/trucks/commercial-vehicle-operators-registration.shtml

 

towed my boat to the keys got 8mpg on the highway around 150 miles each way. took the back way home kept it under 65 and got 11mpg

 

I towed something very similar with mine once. I didn't even know it was behind me but damn did it use a lot of gas. Got 18-20 litres per 100 which is about 11-12 mpg. Mind you I live in mountain terrain.

 

Towed a U-Haul 6x12 enclosed trailer. From Treasure coast to Homestead empty, 70mph got 15-17mpg. Back up loaded down with furniture tools etc. Probably around 3k lbs maybe less. Back up got 12-15mpg. Florida terrain, mostly flat minus over passes etc. Then of course Fort Lauderdale and Miami traffic mess.

 

So only use sport mode?

 

It's a light boat. Pulled it well though. First time with this truck.

 

I tow my '85 Toyota pickup 3600lbs on a 16' steel frame wood floor car hauler 1200lbs. My Tacoma usually is dressed for camping 500-1000lbs when I haul it RTT, tools, spare parts and such. It does good for what it is... A mid sized truck. It has the power for the task you just have to learn where the power band is. Mpg is usually around 11-13 @65mph.

I also haul a lot of steel for my fabrication jobs and haul my lawn equipment quite often. I have come to the realization pretty much if I hook the truck to either of my trailers I can just chalk the mpg up at 11-13 loaded or unloaded.

Edit:
I tow at 65mph the trailer tires that I have are only rated for 70mph. I don't like replacing fenders or changing blown tires. Long story...

 

Do you just keep it in ECT mode while towing?

 

Yes.

 

5100 lbs, distribution hitch, brake controller, sumosprings. ETC ON and stay in 4th gear. This truck tow just fine, nothing to complains like some others....

The mpg will be shit but hey, this is not a f-150 or silverado or ram1500, this is NORMAL it's a mid-size truck.

 

Guess I should have mentioned my truck is a manual transmission. So I do not have the ETC button to use.

 

No

If I had an automatic transmission I would definitely use ETC & S4 to tow my normal loads. However I would not own an automatic for my personal use.

 

Manual does not say to tow with ECT on. It says S mode, and not above 5th.

"Vehicles with an automatic transmission: To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system performance when using engine braking, do not use the transmission in D. If in the S mode, the transmission shift range position must be in 5 or lower."

Oops...I guess later it does, but it's not under the Towing section:

"Use when high levels of response and feeling are desirable, such as when driving in mountainous regions or when pulling a trailer. Press the “ECT PWR” button to select power mode."

Doesn't say you must do that. But it does say NOT to use D.

 

Alright.. Just so I follow. You're not supposed to use ect mode PLUS s mode right? Ect will keep it in the power band when needed?

 

No you should never use D when towing according to the manual. It doesn't seem to care one way or the other if you use ECT. It specifies S, no higher than 5th gear, but isn't 5th an overdrive gear? Perhaps it's fine at that gear though.

 

1968 Airstream Overlander

 

I travel for work and live in a 24' toyhauler. Weighs 5200lbs. With my harley it is right at 6000lbs. I got the best weight transfer hitch and sway control camping world sold. It is an equal I zer. I got their best brake controller too. I have pulled it from TN>OK>CA>WI>CA>AZ>IA in the last 3 months. If I drive 65 I get 10mpg. It pulls just fine. Braking is the concern. I am very attentive and leave lots of room. Looking at rear disc conversion kits. Looking at either airbags or add a leaf kits too.

 

Do you not have a brake controller in your truck? To stop 6000lbs, I sure hope so!

 

I'm towing a 21' wakeboard boat on a dual axle trailer with surge brakes. Currently have an Icon stage 6 suspension that added an additional leaf to the rear. Probably looking at all of 5000lbs and it tows quite nice. The rear does squat a little but I am upgrading the leafs completely and that should do it. My truck is a manual so I don't make it to 6th gear (5th is as high as I go) and it seems to have plenty of power for what I am towing.