Towing question

Submitted: Sunday, Dec 25, 2011 at 18:50

ThreadID: 90830 Views:2584 Replies:4 FollowUps:13

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Wilko (Parkes NSW)

Hi all

Merry Xmas to all and to all a good night. My question is what would be the max weight I should tow with a standard hilux diesel in 5th gear. Ive got a boat that weighs 1176kg. Would this qualify as to being too heavy? Ive been towing it in 4th.

Cheers Wilko

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Reply By: Lex M - Sunday, Dec 25, 2011 at 20:52

Sunday, Dec 25, 2011 at 20:52

Might help if you said what model, which gearbox etc.

AnswerID: 473314

Follow Up By: Wilko (Parkes NSW) - Sunday, Dec 25, 2011 at 21:12

Sunday, Dec 25, 2011 at 21:12

Sorry its a 2011 3.0lt D4D. The new model

FollowupID: 748111

Reply By: Crackles - Sunday, Dec 25, 2011 at 22:13

Sunday, Dec 25, 2011 at 22:13

I would have no problem towing in fifth at 100kph + on flat ground changing back to forth for any sort of a hill or head wind. The work Hilux's pull 1.2 tonne pretty easy.
Cheers Craig...............

AnswerID: 473321

Follow Up By: Wilko (Parkes NSW) - Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 12:28

Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 12:28

Hi Craig,

I know itll tow it in 5th gear, My thoughts is that its not good for the long term health to do so.

Cheers Wilko

FollowupID: 748148

Follow Up By: Crackles - Thursday, Dec 29, 2011 at 16:49

Thursday, Dec 29, 2011 at 16:49

Wilco I select the appropiate gear that feels right for the conditions. If the car is struggling or it needs full throttle then I simply change down. Where I would usually change into overdrive at 90 to 95kph, when towing I wait until up to cruising speed. 1.2 tonne is around half it's towing capacity so unless your boat has alot of wind resistance it should not be an issue. In our fleet of light utes (including many Hilux's) we have never had a 5th gear issue to my knowlege despite many towing heavier loads than you often in top gear.
I'd suggest the vast majority of 5th gear failures could be attributed to towing full sized vans.
Cheers Craig...............
Sorry for late response but have been up the High Country for a few days :-)

FollowupID: 748402

Follow Up By: Wilko (Parkes NSW) - Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 20:38

Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 20:38

Thanks Crackles,

I used a similiar system when towing the boat and it handled it ok.

Never ever apologize for missing something cause youve been in the high country Lucky bugger ; )

Cheers Wilko

FollowupID: 748479

Reply By: Member Bushy 04(VIC) - Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 08:37

Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 08:37

Wilko, I would tow in fourth because the drive is a straight line in the g/box, as well as the fact that the fifth gear is the smallest gear in the box and heats up fast, (mine had started to go blue)
use fifth when you have a downhill stretch, mind you this is just the opinion of one who has already found out the hard way about towing in fifth.
$2,500 to get the box o/hauled in a 05 2.5td Courier.

Always better to be safe than sorry.

Bushy.

AnswerID: 473330

Follow Up By: Ray - Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 09:52

Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 09:52

I would second that. Tow in 4th gear. The vehicle is more versatile in that gear

FollowupID: 748131

Follow Up By: Wilko (Parkes NSW) - Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 12:45

Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 12:45

Thanks Bushy and Ray,

FollowupID: 748152

Follow Up By: obee1212 - Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 20:52

Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 20:52

third that

Owen

FollowupID: 748177

Follow Up By: obee1212 - Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 20:55

Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 20:55

Also consider that fuel efficiency is related to where the torque is at efficiency. Hi gear not necessarily most fuel efficient

owen

FollowupID: 748178

Reply By: Madfisher - Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 10:43

Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 10:43

Hi Wilkco,
mate 1200 odd kg is getting up their, plus the d4ds are much higher geared in 4th then some of the old luxes where in 5th anyway. my boat is around 800kg and I mostly still use 4th but slip into 5th on really easy going. Nearly 200000ks and still going strong.
Cheers Pete

AnswerID: 473337

Follow Up By: Wilko (Parkes NSW) - Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 12:44

Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 12:44

Hi Madfisher,

Thanks for your advice, Its a Polycraft so it weighs a tonne (1176kg anyway) the old man says the same thing,4th is better, I just wanted a 2nd opinion. lol

Cheers Wilko

FollowupID: 748151

Follow Up By: Madfisher - Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 14:11

Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 14:11

What size Poly mate?and what motor are you running?. I just brought a 4.3 bermuda Discovery with a 40hp ETEC on it. A lot harder to launch then my old 4.2 explorer which would roll off the trailer by itself. But the etec is 109kg against 66kg for the old 2st. but I love the fact you turn the key on hit the button and it fires straight away.
Cheers Pete

FollowupID: 748158

Follow Up By: Wilko (Parkes NSW) - Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 14:21

Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 14:21

Ive got a 4.8mt cuddy cab with a 75hp Merc. The Etec's are good, I just couldnt find enough coin lol.

Cheers Wilko

FollowupID: 748159

Follow Up By: Madfisher - Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 16:20

Monday, Dec 26, 2011 at 16:20

The one I brought had 50 hours up, and I saved $5000 off new price. We mainly use it for flyfishing so need clean open decks.
SDo you fish Wyangala much.
Cheers pete

FollowupID: 748166