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Old 07-23-2014, 11:17 PM   #1
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Tow vehicle (what gear?)

Recently purchased a 2006 Nissan pathfinder SE 4x4. I will be towing a 17ft roo hybrid. Does anyone know what gear I should tow in when going up step incline? Thanks

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Old 07-24-2014, 01:13 AM   #2
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What ever gear you are comfortable with. Most modern automatics have a "grade logic" program to downshift and hold that gear instead of hunting back and forth. I usually just leave mine in drive and let the computer figure it out.

Downhill is another story. I'll use forth or third to keep the speed down.


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Old 07-24-2014, 08:54 AM   #3
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Thanks Hondaman.

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Old 07-24-2014, 10:43 AM   #4
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its funny. After 20 years of automatic overdrive transmissions being commonplace, I still have friends that are convinced that towing in overdrive will kill your trans (it wont) and one friend that will not engage overdrive unless he is on an high-speed highway, for fear of city driving killing his overdrive.

I just want to smack the hell out of them.

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Old 07-24-2014, 11:00 AM   #5
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its funny. After 20 years of automatic overdrive transmissions being commonplace, I still have friends that are convinced that towing in overdrive will kill your trans (it wont) and one friend that will not engage overdrive unless he is on an high-speed highway, for fear of city driving killing his overdrive.

I just want to smack the hell out of them.

Tim
Interesting how Ram pickups ( probably the other makes also) have a "tow/haul" button on the dash. This button, according to the owner's manual, is to be engaged when towing a trailer or hauling a load. Engaging the "tow/haul" button locks out the high overdrive gear to stop the transmission from overheating. Just sayin!!!!!
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Old 07-24-2014, 11:55 AM   #6
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Interesting how Ram pickups ( probably the other makes also) have a "tow/haul" button on the dash. This button, according to the owner's manual, is to be engaged when towing a trailer or hauling a load. Engaging the "tow/haul" button locks out the high overdrive gear to stop the transmission from overheating. Just sayin!!!!!
The point Cowracer is making is even though you place your shift lever in Drive and while towing if the TV comes against a hard pull the tranny will 'automatically' shift out of overdrive and go to whatever gear is best to protect the tranny and not lug the engine. Also the tow/haul button holds the tranny in one gear longer when excellerating and down shifts sooner to better handle a load.

Cowracer, go ahead and smack em I dare ya
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Old 07-24-2014, 01:16 PM   #7
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Interesting how Ram pickups ( probably the other makes also) have a "tow/haul" button on the dash. This button, according to the owner's manual, is to be engaged when towing a trailer or hauling a load. Engaging the "tow/haul" button locks out the high overdrive gear to stop the transmission from overheating. Just sayin!!!!!
Well, with a Dodge, I can understand that. They say there is only two types of Dodge owners. Those that have had transmission problems, and those that are going to have transmission problems.

Ford is hardly any better. the E4OD has a rep for failure, that's why I spent $5500 for a full-on, sled-pulling style trans when I had mine go out.

Now the GM 4L80e was a trans you could set your watch by. Dependable as an anvil (and built like one too!)

Tim
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Old 07-24-2014, 01:25 PM   #8
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Here's the thing about overdrive. It is not some additional magical component. Its just a gear with a (numerically) less than 1:1 drive ratio.

Before OD, most transmissions (auto and manual) were direct drive in top gear. (1:1) that means each revolution of the input shaft turned the output shaft one revolution. The old TH350 trans from GM had gear ratios of 2.52:1 in first, 1.52:1 in second and 1:1 in third (or Drive). The 700r4 overdrive trans had ratios of 3.10:1 in first, 1.62:1 in second, 1:1 in third and 0.70 in fourth (or Drive). If you follow me, now you can see in a 700r4 trans in top gear, each revolution of the output shaft takes less than 3/4 of a turn of the input shaft, thus reducing you engine speed accordingly.

Nothing magical happening there at all. just an extra gear with a taller ratio. As long as your input shaft (and the engine its connected to) is spinning around 1000 rpm or better, you are getting all the flow you need out of the ATF pump in the front of the trans.

Tim
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Old 07-24-2014, 06:26 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by coryhynes View Post
Recently purchased a 2006 Nissan pathfinder SE 4x4. I will be towing a 17ft roo hybrid. Does anyone know what gear I should tow in when going up step incline? Thanks

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I have a 2010 xterra se 4.0l towing a 2014 roo 21dk. 7.4 mpg stinks but I'm living with that. Always have od off. WV mountains is 3rd mostly on the up and 4th down while maintaining 70 mph. Rarely need the brakes down most of the higway mountains due to the 8 tires on the ground and the wind resistance. It's in auto for most of the time unless it starts to annoy me when it can't find a happy gear.
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Old 07-24-2014, 06:38 PM   #10
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I am certainly no expert, but I did have a 1996 Chevrolet truck that I bought new. Owners manual and the dealer said not to tow my boat with overdrive on. I did and sure enough the transmission had a problem.
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Old 07-24-2014, 07:55 PM   #11
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Engaging the "tow/haul" button locks out the high overdrive gear to stop the transmission from overheating. Just sayin!!!!!
Don't know how it might lock out OD. I've towed with my Silverado with the tow/haul button on and off. No difference that I can see.
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Old 07-24-2014, 08:20 PM   #12
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Interesting how Ram pickups ( probably the other makes also) have a "tow/haul" button on the dash. This button, according to the owner's manual, is to be engaged when towing a trailer or hauling a load. Engaging the "tow/haul" button locks out the high overdrive gear to stop the transmission from overheating. Just sayin!!!!!
In my Ford, the tow/haul mode does not disable the O/D. What it does, is it holds the gears longer or to a higher rpm. It also enables engine braking. If I'm going down hill and I hit the brake, the engine will down shift and slow the truck with little or no brakes.
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Old 07-24-2014, 08:22 PM   #13
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I have a 2009 Titan that I tow with, I use the tow mode, and shift into 4th gear, as per the manual. I've pulled some good hills and never had a problem. Hope this helps you out,
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Old 09-02-2014, 11:28 PM   #14
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Well. My first post tells of a 06 pathfinder that I had purchased. Turns out I have a problem that no one seems to be able to figure out. There is a loud engine noise when accelerating at 2500-3000rpms and losses power up hill especially towing (2800lbs). Some mechanics seen to think cat convertor clog but there is no CEL. Any ideas?

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Old 09-03-2014, 08:37 AM   #15
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Well I have a 2010 xterra. Should be same engine tranny combo if yours in an automatic. I tow roughly 4500 lbs through west virginia mountains. Which gear..... it depends..... what speed? What incline? I drive fast and usually 3rd gear up hills/mountains but occasionally it changes to 2nd on some large hills that it can't maintain highway speeds. All in all 2800 lbs for that isn't a lot so you shouldn't need to worry about gears. You should worry about that noise. Just cause a CEL isn't on doesn't mean there isn't a problem. A cat can come apart and close 50% of the exhaust and still get in the range of good readings. Go under and pound on the exhaust with your fist. See if you can hear anything rustle inside the exhaust or cat.
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Old 09-04-2014, 08:19 AM   #16
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Until recently, I had the same TV (2006 Nissan Pathfinder V6 4x4 S). I towed with the OD off. Uphill, 3rd was common, even 2nd gear. I live in CO, so it's always up or down. While towing, I manually shifted through the gears, lots.

I'm not sure what your recent power loss problem is.
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Old 05-26-2015, 10:21 PM   #17
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Found out it was a busted catalytic converter.
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Old 05-26-2015, 10:52 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by RSchleder View Post
Interesting how Ram pickups ( probably the other makes also) have a "tow/haul" button on the dash. This button, according to the owner's manual, is to be engaged when towing a trailer or hauling a load. Engaging the "tow/haul" button locks out the high overdrive gear to stop the transmission from overheating. Just sayin!!!!!
Correction to RSchleder's comment: tow/haul on my '09 Ram 2500
Cummins doesn't lock out any gear. It delays she shift pattern under load or hard acceleration. Overheating? I've towed trailers up to around 11,000 lbs., and have crossed the Rockies several times with no temperature problems. I'm not a big fan of Ram trucks; not sure if I'd buy another one, but RSchleder's comments are incorrect, at least in my case.
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Old 05-27-2015, 07:33 AM   #19
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My $.02....Tow/Haul mode.....If you have it....It changes the programing of the RPM vs shift points in the transmission, On our Jetta the same principal is called Sports mode.....
If you just have an OD button, then all it does is lock it out of OD....Read your manual for towing info.....
And if you have an older Chevy truck....you WILL burn up your clutches towing in OD
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Old 05-27-2015, 10:42 AM   #20
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Always tow in 4th gear, I get better gas mileage and the trans shifts less. I dont think there is a problem with towing in OD. The problem is if the load is heavy enough or the grade steep enough, the trans ends up switching gears a lot adding additional wear and heat to the trans.
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