Towing with a Tundra

[HONDAMAN174]

And what still boggles my mind is with 16k lbs rolling down the road, morons still cut us off and/ jam on the brakes! "Sorry officer-can you help me scrape the idiot off my grill!"

[rockfordroo]

In 2010 we pulled our Fleetwood Niagara popup with our 5.7L Tundra from GA to Vegas, via many National Parks including the Grand Canyon, Zion, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Mesa Verde. We had no problems and expect the same when we get our 23ikss.

There's a big difference between pulling a popup and a TT. The wind drag is WAY more. Tried pulling my Roo with a Traverse (5200 lb cap) and was very unhappy. But it would pull a popup just fine.

You should be OK with your Tundra, but it's going to be a very different towing experience.

[duncmelsmom]

Thanks for the info. I've heard that it's easier with 2 axles, but the 1K more in weight could make a big difference.

[ParrishCamper]

Question:
When you use tow/haul do you notice a difference (engine sound, mpg)??
I notice no difference when towing. I can turn it on/off while towing and can't tell any difference. Although a light on my dash does come on. I have even turned it on while in Park but still didn't seem to make any difference. My friend who has a Ford F250 says he can tell when he turns his tow button on.
Not even a month after buying the Tundra we notice an oil leak and the dealer had to completely rip the engine apart to fix. So I'm a little nervous w/ it. I try to tow at 60mph but the RPM will be about 2.5 to 3. In order to get it drop down I have to get it almost to 70mph before it will shift to next gear.
I have never tried the manual shift but I almost want to put it in the next gear while towing at 60mph. Afraid I may doing something to the transmission if I do so.

[Grizzlygibbs]

Originally Posted by ParrishCamper

Question:
When you use tow/haul do you notice a difference (engine sound, mpg)??
I notice no difference when towing. I can turn it on/off while towing and can't tell any difference. Although a light on my dash does come on. I have even turned it on while in Park but still didn't seem to make any difference. My friend who has a Ford F250 says he can tell when he turns his tow button on.
Not even a month after buying the Tundra we notice an oil leak and the dealer had to completely rip the engine apart to fix. So I'm a little nervous w/ it. I try to tow at 60mph but the RPM will be about 2.5 to 3. In order to get it drop down I have to get it almost to 70mph before it will shift to next gear.
I have never tried the manual shift but I almost want to put it in the next gear while towing at 60mph. Afraid I may doing something to the transmission if I do so.

I feel a difference in my 2008 5.7L with tow package. Refer to your owners manual. Tow/Haul should hold gears longer which may make it seem like it is not shifting sooner. I also only use the "manual mode" but I just keep it in 5th as it still goes through 1-4 gears from a stop. Oh, and I never put it in 6th gear when I am towing. It sounds like it is doing is job by not letting the truck shift to the higher "overdrive" gear. 6th gear is pretty tall so that is likely why you have to get the speed and rpms up so high before it will shift into 6th when towing.

[Ditchooker]

S mode won't harm your transmission, I tow pretty much exclusively with it in the hilly terrain I normally tow in, However it does shut down the tow logic of the transmission in S mode, and defaults to a normal shift pattern. removing the shift logic will in no way harm your transmission, will probably prevent some gear hunting if anything (as the shift logic will try to upshift). However the engine modifications will remain active in S-mode with the tow/haul activated. (I typically am in either S5 for the flats or S4 for the hills)

I wouldn't worry about the leak, it sounds like it was a lower cam box cover, and are typically a non issue after they are repaired. not super common, but seems like there might have been a run in 12-13 models that maybe had an assembly issue. probably the only common issue with these engine so far would be the water pump around 55k-60k mile mark, and is usually covered under warranty. Currently over 70K on mine and the W/P has been the only issue.

[wfmdfm]

I use the tow/haul when starting out on the highway and also in the city. Once I am up to speed I will usually switch it off. I find a big difference with better gas mileage when its off. It also finds the last gear while off.

[PhoneDude 8289]

When towing I use "S" mode with the tow/haul mode. Always have 6th gear locked out, downshifting manually to slow or coming to a stop. When getting back up to speed the trans is in 5th letting tow/haul do the up shifting as it's needed. Generally the trans will upshift at about 3k rpm's unless under ha heavy load like a heavy foot or a pretty good hill. It will cruise in 5th 60 mph 2k rpm averaging 12mpg towing a 9k# 5th wheel RV on a reasonably flat road. Been doing this for six years with the same Tundra, it works.

[JoeR]

Originally Posted by wfmdfm

I use the tow/haul when starting out on the highway and also in the city. Once I am up to speed I will usually switch it off. I find a big difference with better gas mileage when its off. It also finds the last gear while off.

I'll have to give that a try next time.

Thanks,

JR

[ebemis]

Hey there Parrish Camper..in regards to yesterday's tow question...

I am no expert, and many others here perhaps have much more experience to share, but don't worry about your 2500-3000 rpm and ~60mph specs....with a normal/regular sized gas engine that is spot on. I drive a Suburban 5.3 liter with full tow package, WDH and tow a 233S ROO all around Florida. Sweet spot flat runs and a slight tail or calm wind and 62-66 mph can net me about 2200 rpm...jumps up to ~3K when the wind shift into our face or we ease uphill.

As long as you recognize you wont be at 70 mph speed limits and above and that pulling along at 60-65ish is more than fast enough, you will be just fine.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by ParrishCamper

Question:
When you use tow/haul do you notice a difference (engine sound, mpg)??
I notice no difference when towing. I can turn it on/off while towing and can't tell any difference. Although a light on my dash does come on. I have even turned it on while in Park but still didn't seem to make any difference. My friend who has a Ford F250 says he can tell when he turns his tow button on.
Not even a month after buying the Tundra we notice an oil leak and the dealer had to completely rip the engine apart to fix. So I'm a little nervous w/ it. I try to tow at 60mph but the RPM will be about 2.5 to 3. In order to get it drop down I have to get it almost to 70mph before it will shift to next gear.
I have never tried the manual shift but I almost want to put it in the next gear while towing at 60mph. Afraid I may doing something to the transmission if I do so.

I wouldn't tow over 65 mph for safety reasons and for trailer tire speed rating reason. Your truck is selecting 5th gear because that is what it wants for the load and speed. I wouldn't force 6th gear.

[ParrishCamper]

Thanks everyone. That helped a lot. I played w/ the S-mode while towing the camper to storage today. It was much nicer not having it shift between gears. Kept it in S5 at about 62mph. For the most part I tow in Central/South Florida so really no hills other than overpasses.