Towing,what gear?
Submitted: Monday, Dec 02, 2002 at 01:00
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Member - Ray
While discussing towing with the GU the other day someone suggested it was not neccessary to stay in 4th gear as my trailer only weighs a bit under 800kgs loaded.
What is the correct thing to do according to those who tow a lot?
Hope to get a good bit of info on this topic. Ray.
Reply By: ken d - Monday, Dec 02, 2002 at 01:00
Monday, Dec 02, 2002 at 01:00
Ray
Each situation is different, obviously a light but large trailer is hard to pull in the wind, a heavy trailer hard on the hills.
Generally I say is whichever gear requires less throttle.
If you find you're in 5th with your foot burried into the floor shift back to 4th.
This said there are generally no downsides to continuously running in 4th. A little extra noise but otherwise it's putting less load on the engine and box.
Ken.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Will - Tuesday, Dec 03, 2002 at 01:00
Tuesday, Dec 03, 2002 at 01:00
Ray,
It really depends on the configuration but as a rule, fifth gear is not designed to haul, it is an over drive and sits on the side of the gear train and through very small (comparatively) bearings and fine teeth to keep it quiet.
A 6 cyl 2.8 Patrol would not have much trouble with fifth because it is a six cylinder and the ratios are very low ie: 3600rpm at 100kms.
The 3.0L patrol is the worst because it is a four cyl with lots of torque, which means that the torque for each stroke is greater.
You can still tow in fifth, but as soon as a
hill comes up (even if you have the power to stay in fifth), change back to fourth.
Will
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