Which gear for towing and tow haul mode?

For a 3800 lb trailer, which gear should it be towed in and also should the Tow/haul be on with that gear? A WDH with sway control will be used as well.

 

I would definitely use the TH button and gears I guess would be dependent on terrain. My trailer is only about 2500 loaded and it's a small utility one, but when going up mountain I lock in s4 or s3 depending on the grade. On a flat freeway I just leave in D. Of course I monitor the tranny temps the whole time.

 

Tow haul mode and let er rip. If it keeps downshifting trying to maintain a certain speed then lock it out of that gear. You don’t want it constantly down shifting trying to maintain speed. Let the engine rpm’s run up, won’t hurt it. Not saying leave it in 2nd and run 70mph at redline. But if it’s happiest running 4th or 5th at 3500rpm then let it.

 

Believe my manual says S4, tow/haul, not to exceed 60'ish mph.

Even with 5.29s, I still follow the manual. That said, for your weight, assuming the profile isn't a giant sail, you could probably do 5th without issue if you are proactive and shift to 4th before drivetrain gets under too high of load (uphill or down).

 

Given you’re in Florida, I’d think D will be fine. If you’re getting lots of downshifts to get over bridges maybe S5 or S4.

 

Can you tell the difference between s5 and D?

 

Sure. It’s a few hundred RPM difference 6 to 5 so S5 gets you to a little better spot in the power-band albeit still low at 60-70mph

 

My old trailer was about 4500lbs loaded. Before my transmission cooler install, I ran in T/H in S4, with blips in S5 on the flat or downhill sections, and monitored my temps.

Now that I have the cooler, I still monitor temps, but run in T/H and D, pulling 6500lbs.

 

I think you have over stock diameter tires and stock gears. For that reason, for me it would be S4 on any substantial grades to be kind to the drivetrain. T/H would remain engaged for the duration of the tow. If the trailer doesn't have electric brakes, I would likely downshift manually when stopping as well.

 

You should be fine in tow/haul on and drive. I towed 5600 lb trailer in va/nc no problems. With wdh by the way.

 

General advice for all the guys who tow: if you are going to run in D (not saying you should or shouldn't), I would actually run in S6. Then, if you need to down shift, you can go to 5th instead of dropping straight to 4th.

 

That makes sense. I’m going to try that next time. Thanks for the tip.

 

My travel trailer is ~7,000# loaded. With 34” tires and stock gears, I towed in S4. Since installing 5.29 gears, I use S5. T/H made always when towing. I’ve drug this thing all over the PNW and it does a great job.

My flatbed is 7,600# with the tractor on it. I tow that in S5 as well. Heavier than the TT, but less wind drag and lower COG. Feels lighter.

 

For me, always T/H.

I'll give it S5 on the flats if it'll hold it and stay locked up, but if the TC starts unlocking or it can't hold the gear I'll run in 4th all day long.

Toyotas don't mind RPM's and gas is way cheaper than transmissions.

But then I towed this thing for 5 1/2 years in a '00 4.7 with OD off, so even shifting into a 4th gear while towing is a big ol' bonus for me!!

5,500 lbs. loaded but man it grabs a lot of air!

 

@SD Surfer , where was that bottom pic taken?
Nice set up BTW.

 

Thank you, Tundra and Lance has really served us well. Lots of trouble free fun!

That's in Borrego (San Diego desert) at a place called Rockhouse Trail. There's a huge dry lake bed in the background in that pic.

Used to be a popular boondocking spot but that particular area has been closed for a couple years now.

Had to go find a new happy place up the road.