>MR2turbo4evr<
New member
Which gear do you guys use to tow trailers/campers? D or 4? The camper is about 2000lb and we have a 05 V8. Thanks
Towing trailer....
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HuntRunner
New member
Depends on the conditions.
If I am just cruising down the interstate and I am not in the hills, I tow in "D" (5th gear). If the vehicle keeps automatically shifting into 4 because that is where it needs to be, then I will drive with 4 selected. I also use 4th gear when towing in town.
If I am just cruising down the interstate and I am not in the hills, I tow in "D" (5th gear). If the vehicle keeps automatically shifting into 4 because that is where it needs to be, then I will drive with 4 selected. I also use 4th gear when towing in town.
scott78945
Member
I just towed a big 6'X12' UHaul trailer this weekend full of crap and it had to weigh close to 3000lbs if not more. Anyways, I would agree with the other posters. If you are traveling on flat land then "D" would be sufficient, but I did find that putting it into 4th was better as it kept shifting into 4th anyways. To be on the safe side use 4th.
scott78945 said:
Hey Scott, glad you had a good trip! Also, here's some more info in another thread:
Tow Thread
I almost always tow in 4th. The truck seems to hunt for that gear anyway if you are towing any significant weight. Like others, I will go to "D" on very flat roads.
bd
peter78
Super Moderator
The biggest problem with driving in overdrive is overheating the transmission. When you are out of overdrive the tansmission does not get as hot. It is good to have a transmission cooler and a temp gauge would not be a bad idea.nated05 said:
I towed my trailer (1,500 pounds dry, 2,100 loaded) and I was tempted to use overdrive once in awhile, on some flat roads or downhill, but I used 3rd gear about 50% of the time. If I had 4,000 pounds I would probably leave it out of overdrive all the time, even if I had the V8.
Solice
New member
This is some good towing info guys! I never read my manual on towing :eek2:, so I've been just towing in "D" all the time. I have noticed it shifting a lot when going up hills. I'm not totally sure how much my trailer even weighs. It's only a 5x10 steel landscaping trailer with wood floor. My guess would be around 1200 lbs and my atv that I haul on it weighs about 800 lbs dry. So I'm towing around 2000-2400 lbs I would say (depending on any extra stuff on the trailer.
So do you guys think it would benefit my Runner to be towing in 4th opposed to drive (unless on a lot of flat land)?
So do you guys think it would benefit my Runner to be towing in 4th opposed to drive (unless on a lot of flat land)?
Solice said:
That's mostly what I tow (trailer, ATV, cooler). I stay in "4" unless it's completely flat. In Texas, going from Houston to anywhere means I'm gaining altitude/climbing. I think you risk some damage if the transmission is constantly changing in and out of overdrive.
bd
TranceKrayz
New member
I'm also planning on towing a 6x12 ft. trailer from uhaul. the trailer has a gross max weight of 4,400lbs (fully loaded to capacity). my V6 is rated at 5000lbs. i doubt that i will be loading this trailer to max weight capacity, but if i do, would it be pushing the limits of my truck?
>MR2turbo4evr<
New member
Thanks for the replies guys. We are going to use 4 instead of OD then 
Solice
New member
Great! I guess I'll start using 4th now instead. I never really even thought about that before to be honest. Anytime I'm pulling it offroad I knock it down to a lower gear (and usually have it in 4wd depending on the terrain) but it's never crossed my mind to do it on pavement.bluduk15 said:
I love this site, always learning something new. Thanks guys
:.
TranceKrayz
New member
Re: 6x12 uhaul
hmm.......maybe there was a problem with the surge brakes?
mjbuzby said:
hmm.......maybe there was a problem with the surge brakes?
For what it is worth, I towed my boat for the first time with the 4Runner this past weekend. It weighs in really close to 5k lbs on the trailer. I have the V6, and I was blown away with how well it towed. I kept it out of overdrive, but was able to tow faster up the hills on the interstate than I was in my 04 Silverado Z71 with the 5.3 V8 which I owned before the 4Runner. Just thought I would share that tidbit.
TranceKrayz
New member
thanks matt,
you made me feel more comfortable....
you made me feel more comfortable....
I should mention a few other things. Firstly, the Chevy had a tow button so I would never worry about anything but putting it in drive and hitting the tow button. The tow button would let the truck engage overdrive at about 60 mph or so and would kick out easily. When I towed with the 4Runner I put it into OD above 65 but if I came upon the slightest incline I would snick the shifter over. My main concern with the Uhaul would be making sure the goons hook up everything correctly:bash:
peter78
Super Moderator
I might also mention that I put the ECT button when I tow. It raises the shift points a little. I don't step heavy on the gas, I try to go slow, but I think changing the shift points is better for the transmission when towing.
So when I start towing the green ECT light and the orange OD off light are on.
So when I start towing the green ECT light and the orange OD off light are on.
