Towing in OD...

Searched and found a couple of old threads that mentioned it, but wanted to get a current consensus.

Those of you with V6 auto Tacomas with the tow package who tow trailers of mid-range weight (say 2,500 lbs), do you tow in 4th or OD 5th? The old consensus was to use 4th (direct) and I'm okay with that. I tow in mountains, flatland and rolling hills and generally keep the speed under 65. Thanks in advance.

 

I tow in 5th until it starts to hunt for the right gear. If the RPMs start to fluctuate, I shift to 4th.

 

I always tow in 4th

 

You can try overdrive, but if it keeps shifting, put it in 4. If you are towing through mountains/hills, you will want to use 4 IMO. The tranny can heat up pretty quick if the torque converter unlocks with a load on a steep hill.

 

1of7627, Your towing in 4th and keeping the speed down; is good practice.

It is not only safer; but it puts less strain on the truck's, engine, transmission and brakes , just to name a few things.

I've put thousands of miles on a wide variety of vehicles and different trailers. You should always give yourself a cushion, if something unexpected happens.

The Tacoma will pull your 2500 lbs with no problem; but a lot of and most small trailers that would normally be pulled with Tacoma sized trucks, don't have brakes. Of course some do.
The average, 6' x 12' enclosed trailer does not usually have brakes; just as an example.

I just checked Wells Cargo site and looked up specs on a 6' x 12' single axle cargo trailer. It lists the weight of that trailer as 1400 lbs; and a GVWR at 2900 lbs. And no brakes.

You could find yourself in a situation, towing at the max of 2900 lbs; that you may not be able to stop your Tacoma as quickly as you may like.

Just try to be safe.

oldracer

 

X2

Always use 4th gear. Much safer, and better for the transmission (heat).

I have 80k+ on my Taco and tow several times monthly, always use 4th. Using a little more gas is cheaper then a new transmission.

 

My buddy with a 5th gen 4 runner watched his trans temp and found it run much hotter when towing in OD. Plus, as far as I know, the manual says to tow in 4th. I think the issue may be with the torque converter slipping more when in OD and having to drop in and out and operating at lower rpm. ??

 

I have a 7X14 tandem axle trailer cargo trailer with brakes and I totally agree on the need for brakes. I think the trailer weighs 1,500 lbs or so empty and I carry two ATV's and gear so I know it's closing in on 3,000 lbs loaded. I'm using a Hopkins Agility brake controller that I find quite satisfactory and it connected easily to the Tacoma harness with one of their plug and play cables.

I've tried a few long (12 to 14 foot) single axle trailers and didn't like the way they handled at all. The tandem is far more stable, but of course is harder to muscle around in close quarters. I can do it gradually if I wet down the pavement first so the tires slip a little, but it's still a job and I don't know how many more years I'll be able to handle it myself.

 

there should be no difference in temps if you are in 4th lockup vs 5th lockup.

That stated holding 5th lockup while towing on anything other than the flats isnt going to happen... so as soon as it pops out of 5th lockup and i know it will hunt, drop it to fourth and you will be good.... then once you get back to the flat or downhill back to 5th.

 

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

 

lockup is lockup but if it regularlyhas to break lockup thats where heat is made. heat is generated from fluid shearing and mechanical friction so pulling on a flat road in 5th isnt going to change anything. once you hit the grade pop it down into 4 and keep on going.

 

Another good reason for a standard.