Towing with 100 Series L/C petrol/Auto
Submitted: Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 14:38
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Grumpybum
Hi good people,
What is the collected wisdom on towing a heavy +/- 3 tonnes Bushtracker caravan with this beast. Tow only in "Drive" ?(Gearbox has 1, 2, Drive, Overdrive - plus a 'power' mode) or is it acceptable to use the overdrive in flat country when cruising easy? I have had conflicting information.
Thanks
John
Reply By: Member - DickyBeach - Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 16:01
Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 16:01
John,
Think outside the square and look at this way:
A new gearbox would cost, say, $5000 (I have no idea but that'll do for the illustration).
Suppose by towing in overdrive your average MPG improves from say 4 K/L to 5 K/L and that for the sake of mathematics petrol costs $1.00 per litre; thus a 1km trip would use 5 cents less petrol @ 5K/L than at 4 K/L.
$5,000 divided by 5 cents = 100,000 kms.
If one assumes that towing a BT in overdrive will eventually damage the gearbox you'd have to tow it for 100,000 kms to save enough (cost of) petrol to be able to buy a new gearbox. If a new gearbox costs $10,000 then 200,000kms of towing.
Me? I'd be towing in Drive and not overdrive and to hell with the cost of the extra petrol.
DB
AnswerID:
105105
Follow Up By: Swine Hunter - Tuesday, Apr 05, 2005 at 13:05
Tuesday, Apr 05, 2005 at 13:05
All,
Whilst this is good analysis, please also consider in "Drive" the engine, and gearbox will spin at higher RPM, so effectivley wearing out those components faster, afterall gearboxes and motors are only good for so many revolutions, factor this to the fuel cost analysis above.
Cheers,
Wayne
FollowupID:
362367
Follow Up By: Rob from Cairns Offroad Training & Tours - Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005 at 10:25
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005 at 10:25
Toyotas owners manual recommends you dont tow in overdrive. There is less stress on a motor reving at SLIGHTLY higher revs than lugging in a higher gear and would actually use less fuel. An auto in 4 will be doing about the same revs as a manual in 5th gear. cheers Rob
FollowupID:
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Reply By: motherhen - Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 23:56
Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 23:56
Well said DB. The cost, without the added cost and inconvience of being stranded somewhere, would be only the start. General advice is not to tow in overdrive (except occasionally on an easy flat or downhill incline) in either toyota or nissan. Similarly with manuals, 5th only for the downhill run. Some people get away with it, but I prefer not to take the risk. The fuel will cost you a mint whatever gear you choose, the bit extra in the lower gear will be small compared to the cost of your rig. Take it easy, and enjoy you travels.
AnswerID:
105215
Reply By: flappa - Tuesday, Apr 05, 2005 at 13:22
Tuesday, Apr 05, 2005 at 13:22
In overdrive , doing it easy in flat country.
Dont see a problem.
The problems start when the motor runs out of puff , and starts to labour , putting stress on things.
You might find you are dropping out of Overdrive quite often , and in some cases , probably never get into it.
AnswerID:
105267
Reply By: muzzgit (WA) - Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005 at 01:14
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005 at 01:14
Yes the motor and transmission will be spinning faster but in overdrive you will be labouring the engine all the time which can cause overheating. Also, the transmission will overheat if towing a heavy weight in overdrive.
Both Toyota and Nissan will tell you if you ask them..... DO NOT tow in overdrive, be it manual or auto !
And lastly, it is very easy to speed when pushing it in overdrive, in fact it becomes necesarry, to keep the revs up. Which firstly puts you on the wrong side of Mr plod, but makes emergency braking so much harder when a big furry 2 or 4 legged animal walks out in front of you !
I prefer to sit on about 95 to 97 klm, save fuel, and stay safe.
Cheers,
Muzz
AnswerID:
105365