5th gear towing

Old Nick,

I tow in 5th gear - I have a '91 GXL 80 Series Diesel with an aftermarket turbo. I have a large off road trailer which I use to carry all my camping gear both on and off road and I have never had a problem. I drop down a gear or two depending on conditions etc.

I know that there are others who will tell you not to, but I have yet to see any real evidence as why I shouldn't. I will shortly be getting a new campertrailer and I will tow that in 5th gear.

Karl

Hi there Nick I dont think you will have a problem if you drive to the conditions eg, see a rise ahead drop back to fourth, any hills or crests, or if driving into a strong head wind, you will generally know yourself if you start having to put the boot down to keep it up to speed then I would be dropping back in other words dont let the motor labour, there is too much proof on this forum that towing in 5th gear labouring the motor or relying on the turbo to drag you over the top of a hill that it will eventually stuff 5th gear either in a patrol or landcruiser. Search the forum and you will read the proof. Up to you, yes there is probably plenty of people out there that do tow all the time in 5th but maybe only do it once a year and eventually it will happen, Id go by the majority, not the minority. Regards Steve M

Experience on two fronts, regarding the 5th gear problem. 1st hand experience with my old 100 series cruiser 4.2 N/A. rebuilt that gearbox twice in 18 months and I'm sure it was on it's way out when I sold it.
2nd hand experience with my uncle having to rebuild his 4.2 T Patrol (GU) gearbox in Norseman last year after stripping the spline shaft. All this after he was told by me repeatedly not to tow in 5th gear. Needless to say he is a convert now and tows in 4th.

As people will testify you can get away with it depending on your driving style and km towing in 5th, but if in doubt keep it out.

I am a definate 4th gear tower.

Trevor.

Nick, I'd read the owner's manual for your car and follow its recommendations :-)

OK, this is for a different engine and an Auto gearbox and not towing - but it shows what an Auto gearbox will select - so obviously is considered good by the manufacturer.

The F3 at Hawkesbury River is quite steep - the Pajero 4 spd auto petrol quickly changed to 4th.

The pajero Did Auto goes up this hill at 110km/h (120 indicated) with no problems in 5th gear. The engine loading going up this hill at this speed would have to be more than towing a van on level ground.

Mike

I had a T/D Jackaroo, but now have a Terracan crdi, and have towed my camper trailer everywhere in 5th. ( they rev too high at 115km/h )
Always have used the throttle and gears to keep the engine in the sweet zone ( 1500-3000rpm ) but maybe because my two 4wd's had strong gearboxes as well??

Nick,
getting back to your original question.
I have an 80 and tow an off-road trailer.
After I had the gearbox repaired I stopped 5th gear towing most of the times when I would have in the past when it seemed OK, i.e gentle hills, flat.
Now it is pretty much 4th unless I know it is down hill.
Ian

I have a Prado TD. Have towed my van (1500 -1600 kg) and a boat (950kg) for the last 4 years. On and off I've used 5th when the conditions are right. Never below 90 kph, up hill or strong winds and ensure my revs stay above 2000 rpm. On most flat roads in light winds it has been fine.

The car has done around 95000 km and I have never (touch wood) had a drama with the gear box.

G'day Old Nick
My series 1997 model 80 series ("The Bear") has just clocked over 180,000km. I only use it as an expedition vehicle & tow a 3 tonne off road caravan genarally 6 months each year. I have had no gearbox trouble and am still running the original clutch.
I tow in 5th gear often but not all the time.
As soon as it starts to lug I change back to 4th.
If I am under 90km/hr I change back to 4th.
If I am into a head wind I change back to 4th.
I think it is all about commonsense. 5th gear is overdrive (I think?) so that is what I use it for. It is no use having the vehicle struggling to maintain a particular speed when 4th gear will do it easliy.

Go the 80s!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like most agree Nick, use 4th for most situations and leave 5th as an overdrive gear when the conditions are perfect. Not only will labouring away in 5th strain the gearbox but it will increase fuel consumption too.

Barnesy has it right Nick....

my way is to keep it in 4th till I can comfortably drop it into 5th without lugging the engine. Remember, lugging in ANY gear will cause problems!

Thanks to all who answered my query. As I thought I would be OK to tow in 5th in the cruiser as long as she was not working ie. hills, head winds etc. I do know one thing -the turbo diesel does not even know the camper is hitched up. Thanks again all Nick

Nick, We won't tow heavy loads with Cruiser or Patrol in 5th (or overdrive with the auto). Not in the manual, but it is a golden rule. Then again, you have a lightish camper, just borderline. Up to you to decide if it is a risk and assess the pros and cons of the forumites here. What you would gain by towing in 5th? (just a little less fuel), and where do you go? Will you be miles from anywhere if you did lose the gears? We tow a heavy caravan, and is isn't worth the risk for us.

We did have a gearbox go on the Cruiser - even though i never did heavy towing in 5th (maybe my husband did sometimes when i wasn't there?), not towing at the time. Several hours from home, but luckily we were able to reach our son, who drove all night, firstly to hire a trailer, then to come and collect us, then next day it was more hours to take the Cruiser to the gearbox re builder. Then later another trip back to pick up the ram we'd bought, which we had to take back to the farm. Cost quite a few grand all up.

While not wanting to knock anybody on their decision to tow or not to tow in 5th I think some have lost the point, towing in 5th may be no good for some gearboxes(get a 4wd that will tow in 5th!!! ), but towing down to lowish revs ie; 1500rpm, shouldn't have any bearing on the gearbox, you have less power and torque at those revs so would be harder to damage the gearbox I would think.

Lugging an engine would be down around the 1000rpm or less range and I don't think anyone drives let alone tows at these rpm's.

But please shoot me down in flames if you think I deserve it.

The beauty of an 80 series factory turbo diesel Automatic , turn the key , put big lever into D and of you go , towing or not the box does the work.