Towing a caravan
Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 14, 2007 at 23:45
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48717
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Mick
Somebody told me recently in a caravan
park laundry (modern equivalent of the village
well!!) that towing in 5th gear was not a good idea. I always tow in 5th - I change down at about 1000rpm - 1500rpm I think, but spend most of the time in 5th. I can't see how it can do any harm. If you weren't meant to use 5th gear there would be only 4 gears! Then I suppose someone would say don't use 4th!! Now that I think of it I started towing in 1972 with an HQ Holden which had a Trimatic gearbox. Nobody ever told me to drive it in 2nd gear lolol.
Reply By: Kev M (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 06:57
Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 06:57
Mick,
see here
Was discussed earlier
cheers Kev
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AnswerID:
257313
Reply By: Wizard1 - Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 08:21
Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 08:21
We seem to attract the odd idiot from the village that seem to think because we aren't retired and
grey that they need to impart all sorts of wisdom about vanning and towing...little do they know.
I've had my Prado TD since new, it is now over 5 years old, 127,000 km and towed in 5th. I'm yet to experience the gearbox problems all these "subject matter experts" seem to fear.
I think some of the problem lies with the make of vehicle and its gearbox rather than the practice of towing in 5th. All gear ratios in a box should be applied depending on load, rolling resistence, fifth gear should be no different.
Autos are a seperate issue as a they tend to cycle up and down when in overdrive a lot more which can't be too good I'm sure.
AnswerID:
257320
Follow Up By: Mick - Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 09:25
Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 09:25
Well said Wizard. I think you also touched on an important point re the vehicle make. Prados and Landcruisers are of course the "top of the range" and are not plagued by the problems we so often read of with other popular but cheaper makes. I've been "A Toyota Man" for many years (The FJ55 I had in 1976 was bumpy but super reliable) and I just haven't had evidence of towing problems whatever the gear!
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 16:39
Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 16:39
Hi Mick
I had a 97 Toyota Hylux 2.8 Diesel 4x4, it stated in the owners
manual, whilst towing, always drive in 4th gear, re less strain on
the drive train, and better engine braking.
Cheers
Daza.
FollowupID:
518628
Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 17:31
Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 17:31
I owned a 100 series in 99 and that gearbox was rebuilt twice in 18mths and 130000km so it is not make or brand specific. You tow in 5th at your own peril. Plenty of people do and get away with it for years. Others will not get away with it. You could be like my uncle, whom I told about my 5th gear towing experiences and his response was "I've been towing in 5th since your old man was a boy" last year he found out the hard (and expensive) way that it is not adviseable to do this. 100km east of
Norseman 5th gear let go and an allmighty grinding sound eminated from the gearbox. 3grand and a week and a half later he was able to leave
Norseman and continue on his big loop.
Choice is up to each individual but I will never tow in 5th again. My choice.
Regards, Trevor.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Mick - Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 22:56
Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 22:56
Yes Daza I'd agree with you for a relatively small vehicle like a hilux.
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Follow Up By: Mick - Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 23:03
Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 23:03
Yes Trevor of course it's your choice. Maybe you need to modify your driving style though with that track record. It's important that the appropriate gear is always selected and there are many times when 5th gear is appropriate. If you labour the vehicle in any gear though, you can expect trouble and your experience is testament to that!! Was there a 5th gear when your dad was a boy??? I didn't get a v ehicle with one till 1989!!
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Wizard1 - Thursday, Aug 16, 2007 at 08:43
Thursday, Aug 16, 2007 at 08:43
Engine power should be managed to ensure efficiency and performance and to minimise engine and transmission damage.
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Reply By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 15:52
Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 15:52
Call me old fashioned, but i still believe that 5th gear (and overdrive in autos) are not designed for towing heavy loads. I'll say that around the village
well too.
AnswerID:
257366
Reply By: Muddy doe (SA) - Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 23:02
Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 at 23:02
I believe the current Prado comes with a 6 speed manual gearbox (or a 5 speed auto).
What say ye to that??????
AnswerID:
257457
Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 16, 2007 at 10:56
Thursday, Aug 16, 2007 at 10:56
I would say if 5th and 6th are overdrives (like some of the sedans) then I would tow in 4th. Don't know anything regarding the autos.
Cheers, Trevor.
FollowupID:
518760
Reply By: aka - Thursday, Aug 16, 2007 at 08:22
Thursday, Aug 16, 2007 at 08:22
Just returned fom north travelled the kidman and matillda cross to
cairns then down the coast to home .Used the overdrive and cruise control when I could ,averaged 19 m.p.g with 2ton van and 2002 prado diesel.Done 7800 klm went
well
AnswerID:
257477
Reply By: Member - colin M (NSW) - Friday, Aug 17, 2007 at 15:36
Friday, Aug 17, 2007 at 15:36
Page 128 of the 2007 PJ
Ranger owners manual has the following statement as last paragraph
" When towing heavy loads, it is recommended that the automatic transmissin overdrive be cancelled. This will result in cooler tranmission temperatures"
AnswerID:
257681