Towing Advice?

[xmytruck]

Hello
Picking up my bassboat out of storage this weekend, this will be the first time towing the 4R. I was reading the owner's manual and it stated that when towing to always have the transmission in the 4th gear to imporve engine braking. So the I was wondering if you guys tow do you always keep in 4th gear even on the highway? The boat weights about 1600 pounds not sure if that affects anything.
Thx
X

 

[bonedoctor]

I've used my 2005 Limited with the V8 to tow 16 ft trailers loaded with a Ford 8N tractor. I kept it out of "D" drive, even though you could cruise along on the highway with it in "D" easily if no hills. If you've got it in "4th", it'll obviously keep the RPMs a little higher and won't bog down the engine.

I did notice that the engine was a little more effective at friction braking (or "engine braking") when in 4th, going downhill, foot off the gas, and applying the brakes. You could definitely feel the transmission downshift to 3rd and help control the vehicle speed. I guess if it's in "D" and gets into the overdrive, then the same situation triggers a downshift out of overdrive into drive, then into 4th and the effect isn't as great. When you've got it in 4th, it doesn't shift into overdrive, and when you are in the towing situation, downhill, foot lifts off the gas pedal, etc, it only has to shift down once to 3rd to get an increase in engine braking.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

At 1600lbs (does that include the trailer?) I'd say if it's flat where you live it's a toss up. What you really want is to avoid cruising along with the transimission upshift & downshifting all the time. Ideally the transmission will get into the selected gear and stay there. You can watch the tach to get an idea of what's occurring. Towing in 4th will always work and be easy on the transmission. The only bad thing would be slightly reduced mpg.

To cruise along in 4th, assuming your below 80-85mph, will not place extra wear or stress on your 4Runner.

In flat Florida with my V6 trailers in that weight range seem to tow fine in D. The transmission shifts to OD, the torque converter locks and it stays locked in 5th until I step on it hard. Good luck and make sure your buddies didn't paint a shark on the bottom of the boat over the winter when you weren't looking :

 

[Koz]

If the trans is downshifting often (in 5th), use 4th. At 1600 lbs. you should be able to use 5th if no steep grades.

Koz

 

[xmytruck]

That is 1600 with the trailer, my main concern is that I usually on the highway go around 65-75 MPH to get the old fishing hole. The other day I was checking out how high the RPM's would be in 4th at that speed and it was around 3K. It seemed that the engine was working way to hard.
Thx
X

 

[CJ3Flyr]

3k is fine... An 'old school' rule of thumb is no more tha 60% of redline for sustained operation if you can avoid it. Based on my T4R I'd speculate by 70mph it'd hold 5th just fine. At 65 it may shift back and forth a bit...

Another good trick is pay attention to the gas pedal position. Assuming it'll hold the gear without excessive shifting use the gear that requires the least pedal pressure.
:cheers:

 

[xmytruck]

Thx guys,
must say that the 4R is a great at towing, most of the time I did not even notice that I was pulling my boat. I go through one section of the highway were my old X would struggle with and the 4R handle it with grace.
X

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Thx guys,
must say that the 4R is a great at towing, most of the time I did not even notice that I was pulling my boat. I go through one section of the highway were my old X would struggle with and the 4R handle it with grace.
X

Glad to hear it went well. Did you use D or 4 most of the trip? Any idea on your towing MPG?
:cheers:

 

[97hb]

I pull a 2100lbs car and leave it in D. Just change the tranny fluid out because the converter works alot harder pulling something.

 

[xmytruck]

Glad to hear it went well. Did you use D or 4 most of the trip? Any idea on your towing MPG?
:cheers:

I was in 4th for the trip back about 70 miles, I was averaging 22MPG on the ride up the dealer and 20 mpg on the way back with the boat on the back..


thx x

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I was in 4th for the trip back about 70 miles, I was averaging 22MPG on the ride up the dealer and 20 mpg on the way back with the boat on the back..


thx x

That's some great MPG. That indicates, to me, the boat is an aerodynamically slick deal which is good. I suspect with the MPG that high it'd be fine in D. If the boat tows that easily I'd expect it stays locked in 5th most of the time.
:cheers: