Towing rpms normal 17’

So I just pulled a enclosed trailer 100 miles, 700lbs trailer and 1000lbs of misc, on the interstate the grade changes thru the rolling hills. The rpms would go from 3k right to 5k going up going up hill and stay at that 5k until over the crest.

Tried both ETC and without, 2017 Trd off road, 700 miles

Is this normal? With minimal weight?

 

What you are describing mirrors my experiences when I’ve towed anything at all. I use S mode to lock out the overdrive gears, but it still revs really high on the smallest incline. I read some people pull campers and boats with these trucks and I literally don’t see how they do it unless they are on flat ground with no head wind.

 

There’s in no way I would pull 5k.

Love the truck but towing isn’t right. I wonder if there’s trans flash or adjustment can be made. There no in between 3k to 5k it one or the other for 100 miles was annoying.

I thought I would end up with a piston in the hood.

 

I pulled a utility trailer and SxS totalling 3000 lbs for 350 miles. As mentioned, you need to tow in S mode. Driving 72 mph @ 3100 rpm. My transmission temps were fine 195-201 most the time. It can pull it, just takes more rpm due to gearing and engine power band is higher up compared to 2nd gen. If I jumped on throttle to attempt a hard acceleration/pull, trans temp will go up near 210-215. Yes, I drove on long rolling inclines and straight highway. In the end, I learned driving at faster speed was better for me because I stayed in the "meat" of the power band. Helped avoid downshifting and passing up traffic. I was using 4th and 5th, 6th was not an option. Once I was at higher speed, 5th was fine.

Edit: I would recommend a ScanGauge II. I use it to help keep an eye on transmission temps. I can also back off throttle and see how rpms, shifts, and my driving style while towing affected the change in temps.

 

I towed my 3500 pound car trailer with a 3300 lb small SUV loaded on the trailer from Chattanooga to Atlanta. On level roads the RPM's were about 2700 on steeper grades went to about 4,300 at 65 miles per hour. I had installed the large rear bump stops I purchased from etrailer. I don't see any problem pulling a heavier load.

 

An enclosed punches a big hole in the wind. It isn’t the weight all of the time it is the aerodynamics. I can pull my flatbed and enclosed with the same weight and my enclosed will always work harder.

 

Since you are new here, you have bought an amazing truck that is seriously light on horse power at lower RPM so being that high while towing up hill isn’t out of the realm of normal. Also the transmission is absolutely horrible stock so that’s going to add to your problems.

When you test drove the truck did you not notice it hunting for gears with nothing on it?
Also there is a TSB out for the transmission. Contact your dealer and see if it has been done.