What do you TOW with your Tundra?

Appreciate that.

Just got back from a camping trip in the Heber, AZ area.
Driving I-40 back into NM the transmission temp hit 210 one time on that long hill east of the Route 66 casino.
Ambient temp was 94, speed 65 w/cc, A/C going full blast.

It ran 197-199 on the downhills and 203-208 on all of the uphills except the one.

After reading all the posts about transmission coolers “for” and “against” including the temps without a cooler I’m very satisfied I did put one in.
I just sleep better at night.

 

What were your temps prior to the cooler install?

 

Generally hitting 220-225 with short stints over 230 while towing in S4. I would use S5 on downhills and flat sections, but quickly revert to S4 if there was any uphills or acceleration needed. I tried it in D a few times but it would quickly get over 230 so I never pushed it higher than that.

In my test drive with the trailer after the install, I was just driving in D and Tow Haul mode, and maxed out at 201-203, and it took a long time and a steep incline to get there. For most of the drive, I was hovering around 195.

I also recently took the Tundra, before cooler install, on a 5 hour drive. Just the family of 4 and some overnight bags, but no trailer. Ambient temps around 75 with some significant hills and one mountain pass and hit 230 in D a few times, while averaging about 217 when not climbing.

I make no claims about whether the cooler is needed or not, or whether this robust transmission can handle those temps, but I certainly feel more comfortable hanging out a good 30 degrees cooler. Plus, it makes the drive more relaxing to not be so focused on the temps and trying to manage them.

Now I just need a little more time to relax and to trust my work on the install. I was nervous driving it after the install, convinced I would spring a leak, or had the hoses backwards, or whatever. I'm sure it'll be fine as I followed the instructions closely, but it's still making me a bit nervous so some more driving will convince me I didn't do something to destroy my truck.

 

Thanks for the info. So you no longer tow in Drive with Tow/Haul engaged any longer you stay in S5-S4 only (and while in those modes is Tow/Haul button pushed?)

 

No, I used to pull the trailer (before ATF cooler install) in T/H and S4/5. Now (after install) I tow it in T/H and D and don't worry about it.

 

Ditto on the comfort level.
I was a little concerned about leaks as well but as the weeks passed it all turned out good. If nothing else the coolers certainly can’t hurt since heat is the transmission’s biggest enemy.

 

Gotcha. I don’t have the trans cooler so I guess toggling between S4/5 is my best bet and do you still engage tow/haul mode in those gears?

 

Yes, before the cooler I still used T/H with S4 and S5. Some people on here have claimed that T/H doesn't work unless you are in D. I have found it to still be very effective, particularly in throttle response. One time we stopped at a rest area and upon leaving, I put it in S4 but forgot to put it back in T/H mode. As I accelerated back onto the freeway, for a moment I thought there was something wrong with the truck as it was so sluggish! Then I realized T/H was not engaged and the problem was fixed!

 

Thanks again Sir

 

I feel the same way from an aesthetic standpoint, they're just not as sleek as OEM mirrors. The functionality is second to none though, the visibility is absolutely incredible while towing, and even around town. Your blind spot ceases to exist.

Loaded up for a weekend of fun.

 

While I was towing my Grand Design 2800BH East on 90 near Syracuse, NY yesterday, I saw a silver 2nd gen double cab long bed towing a Grand Design Reflection 5th wheel heading westbound.

Not sure if they are here or not, but it was the first time I've seen these connected to a 5th wheel in person. Truck looked tiny, but somehow, level.

 

Got a link for the cooler? I like how perfect the fit is.

 

www.genuinecoolingsystems.com

 

Check out the FB Tundra Grand Design haulers group. People doing all kinds of stupid shit. I bugged out it got so rediculous.

 

Yeah, no. I can't. 1) it's FB, and 2) it sounds like it is everything I find annoying about FB, only involving 2 of my favorite possessions.

 

Just a friendly reminder to be prepared with a spare(s) for your trailer. My best guess is these are bias ply and didn't do well with the extended highway driving, so I have some radials on order. I didn't know there were different kinds of tires for different trailer applications.


.

 

Thats one beefy Taco

 

Working at my construction job today and hauled my 3,000# trailer 40 miles with a ton or two of trim for a log house we're building. On the way back I picked up a skidsteer(7,000#) and hauled it 15 miles.

 

Tow my tundra with another tundra

 

Looks like we have the same exact trailer, offset license plate light and all. Drives me crazy.

 

Our 24' Surveyor.

 

Tow my drift car

 

Took an airstream base camp x up to the sequoia national forest. About 5 hours from where I live. Tundra towed amazing with a full trailer including fresh water, two coolers and a bin full of camping stuff. Gas mileage doesn’t change much from driving without a trailer unless going up hills. Truck has nitro 5.29 gears.

 

Tonight I picked up 10 water heaters to bring to the scrap yard on lunch tomorrow. Trailer weighs 2550, and somewhere between 1500-2000lbs of water heaters. First time towing this much with this truck(I know it’s not a lot) towed much better than my old 2017 Silverado did.

 

Lake Havasu Cattail Cove

 

56 Mercury Monterey
Towed it for a 3 hr drive, my long tube was exhaust was singing

 

The GeoPro, as much as I love it, has gotten a bit small for the family, so we put down a deposit yesterday on a 2022 Flagstaff MicroLite 25BRDS. Should bring it home in a few days!

 

Looks very similar to our Coachmen Freedom Express 25SE.