towing and overdrive... again

[c12ashhh]

i've searched the board about towing and overdrive, and the information i'm seeing is that as towing isn't very friendly for your torque converter, i'm best off putting it in "3" (i have an '04 v6, don't have the new 5 spd unfortunately!) so i don't have to worry about heating it up too much.

my question is, how about light loads? ie after i've dropped off my load and am hauling my empty 5x8 open utility trailer back? or that plus a 500lbs motorcycle or two? that kind of load is nothing like big campers or huge boats... so is OD ok for light towing situations like that, or should i still use "3"? or use OD on level ground and "3" when it's going to start hunting gears on inclines?

thanks!

 

[NCSCOTT]

I do not think you need to put it in 3rd to tow with a 4-Speed. According to the owners manual it maybe OK but is not necessary.

The following data is for the 2004 4-Speed.

Owners Manual
Page 155 1st column 4th paragraph down;

"When the lever is in the "D" position, the automatic transmission system will select the most suitable gear for running conditions such as normal cruising, hill climbing, hard towing, ect."

Page 156 3rd column under Four-wheel drive models;

"Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long time in the "2" or "L" position. This may cause severe automatic transmission damage from overheating. To prevent such damage, "D" or "3" position should be used in hill climbing or hard towing."

The Following is data for 2004 5-Speed.

Page 150 1st column 4th paragraph down;

"When the lever is in the "D" position, the automatic transmission system will select the most suitable gear for running conditions such as normal cruising, hill climbing, hard towing, ect."

Page 152 1st column under Four-wheel drive models;

"Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long time in the "3", "2" or "L" position. This may cause severe automatic transmission damage from overheating. To prevent such damage, "4" position should be used in hill climbing or hard towing."

I believe Modern Automatic Transmissions do a better job of sensing load conditions and don't need to be shifted out of OD to tow unless you feel the transmission searching for gears on a long up hill grade. The 4-Speed is more likely to have that problem than the new 5-Speed.

Gm Uses the Tow/Haul switch to do this. Not sure about Ford or Dodge

 

[AlexJet]

I did towed 7'000lbs boat in "D" on my '05 V6 for couple of hundreds miles. No problem. My 4Runner is 5 speed.