[MURKY]

just purchased 2010 sr5 4wd. Just realized that either I can't find it or there isn't a Tow/Haul mode like most newer vehicles. you know something that will keep the tranny from burning up. my silveraldo I just drop it down out of overdrive. Am I missing it? Thanks

[m85476585]

You don't need it. The transmission/computer is smart enough to know when there is more load, and it holds lower gears longer. It's most noticeable driving up hills with or without a trailer. It will also downshift for you on downhills if you lightly hold the brake for a few seconds. You can shift it to 4 if you want to keep it out of overdrive, and it will still shift between 1-4 as needed.

[jrandom]

You can use the sequential shift mode and set it to the highest gear you want the transmission to shift too.

[LandCruiser]

Originally Posted by m85476585

You don't need it. The transmission/computer is smart enough to know when there is more load, and it holds lower gears longer. It's most noticeable driving up hills with or without a trailer. It will also downshift for you on downhills if you lightly hold the brake for a few seconds. You can shift it to 4 if you want to keep it out of overdrive, and it will still shift between 1-4 as needed.

That's not really true.

The 4Runner is really just not big/strong enough to be used as a tower/hauler so it doesn't have any of the features you'd normally see in a tow rig like a big radiator, transmission cooler, or a tow/haul transmission setting.

The best thing to do is to set it to S mode and either "4" on flat surfaces or "3" in the mountains.

If you want to tow regularly, you have the wrong vehicle.

[philsey]

@LandCruiser pretty-much has it, but what's missing from the entire thread is how much you'll tow, how often, and where.

It's rating is 4700#, and it is truck-based, but it's softly sprung and programmed for mpg, eg early upshifts/late downshifts. A Duramax dually it ain't.

Your T/H mode is the shifter's -S- position.

[blakjack23]

I tow with my '07 4Runner regularly and it's performs great. But I would agree if you had said "if you want to tow something 3000+ lbs regularly, you have the wrong vehicle".

That's one reason I like my 4Runner, it's big and strong enough to tow my boat, 4 wheeler and other trailer around without being unnecessarily too big/long like a full size truck.

[Orc]

You never want to use 3 or below long because the converter isn't locked. Leave it in sport gear #4

[MURKY]

The few times I've towed (approx. 3500 lbs. Kentucky hills no mountains) with it I just put it in 4th and rolled on. Although I do wish it had a tow haul option so it would hold gear longer etc. Thanks guys I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing some hidden option. Mostly i'll use my cummins for heavy pulls.

[SSPey]

Originally Posted by Orc

You never want to use 3 or below long because the converter isn't locked. Leave it in sport gear #4

Old thread, but can someone verify this?

I am trying to determine, when towing 3000lbs and when 3rd gear is either guaranteed (long uphill) or frequent (slower speeds in curvy roads), whether it is easier on the transmission to use S4 and let it find 3rd, or to select S3 and avoid gear searching

[mo_mo]

Originally Posted by SSPey

Old thread, but can someone verify this?

I am trying to determine, when towing 3000lbs and when 3rd gear is either guaranteed (long uphill) or frequent (slower speeds in curvy roads), whether it is easier on the transmission to use S4 and let it find 3rd, or to select S3 and avoid gear searching

I think you would probably have to monitor your own transmission temps and make the determination as there are more variables such as how steep the hill is, ambient temperature / pressure, etc that can play into this.

[zcruiser]

Originally Posted by SSPey

Old thread, but can someone verify this?

I am trying to determine, when towing 3000lbs and when 3rd gear is either guaranteed (long uphill) or frequent (slower speeds in curvy roads), whether it is easier on the transmission to use S4 and let it find 3rd, or to select S3 and avoid gear searching

Depends a little on the incline and where your rpms are... torque bands are not published but you want to hit the sweet spot. I can run in 4th most of the time with 4K lbs but drop to 3rd on steeper grades. So, I would stay in 4th and let it find 3rd when needed unless it’s doing a lot of back & forth.

I did install a Derale transmission cooler because I saw my temps regularly go over 210 and so have dropped them about 30F overall, and the temps go down faster when they do spike.