I am very new at this, so please bare with me. I have a 2006 Toyota Sienna with AT and an external transmission cooler towing a 2015 Coachman Clipper - dry GVW 2,855 lbs. Max tow weight is 3,500 lbs.
The Toyota owners' manual says not to tow in 'D', but it does not say why or which gear I should use.
My options are 1, 2, 3 or 4. D is apparently an overdrive gear??
Keep it out of OD. This will keep your transmission temperature cooler.travel light as you're close to being overweight, especially when you add up everything you bring. Stay under 65,, which is max speed for tires on pop-up.
Yes you want to tow in 4th or 3rd depending how hilly it is. Does the sienna have on over drive off button? I would expect your mileage to be around 18 mpg, thats about what I got in my Kia sedona towing a 12 ft popup.
I am sure you have a "lockup" converter. It engages a clutch in the converter when you are in overdrive and reach enough speed. The clutches in the converter are the weak point. As you tow the converter will drop out of lockup and then back into lockup depending on the load. This will very quickly wear out the converter clutch. So the idea is to keep out of converter lockup when towing. One of the lower gears probably does this.
Ontario
Linear Mode
