2004 SR5 - Towing - 60MPH - Forgot to turn off overdrive

Hello,

I was towing my boat this weekend, and in a bit of a hurry.

At 60-65mph my cruise control was on and I forgot to take off O/D.

I heard a revving - so I took I looked down and realized my O/D was still on. I removed it, but now have a louder noise coming from the transmission/exhaust. Any help is appreciated.

 

You didn’t specify year, engine, trans or boat size. Towing with OD on or off is one of those controversies on this forum. I’ve towed jet skis and small runabouts for years and never turned off the OD but the roads in SC are fairly flat to rolling hills. If engine is bogging down or hunting gears you should turn it off. I’m no expert on Toyota transmission and can’t tell you exactly what effect the OD button has on TC clutches and fluid flow and heat buildup but might be worth connecting a scan tool that shows your trans temp if you are concerned about it while towing. Also the 2000 and 2001 trucks were known to have a weaker planetary design prone to failure.

 

He said 2004, but the rest is legit. Also, what does it sound like? Moaning? Drone? Wah-wah-wah? Is it only while rolling?

At all speeds, or just a certain speed range? If so, what speed does it start and stop?

Does it stop when braking, or stop when accelerating? Or never stop?

These are all the things we need you to figure out and let us know, because each thing I described above would point to a different source.

 

I’ve wondered the same thing. I’m old skool, so no OD is my gut. But the manual (assuming I read all of the towing section) only mentions taking out of OD for better engine braking. Kind of confusing IMO, because I can definitely feel a drag

 

How much does the boat/ trailer weigh, and how many miles on the truck?
If you were pulling uphill in extreme heat and at, or above, rec. max towing weight, I could see the 'potential' for hurting the transmission.
But generally I wouldn't think that would cause damage in a short period of time, especially if operating conditions were normal, and the truck itself was in good condition.
FWIW, I consider my 2006 2WD DC a '3/8-Ton' . . . it's def. on the lighter side of most 1/2 ton trucks, ESPECIALLY the newer ones.
Keep us posted please.

 

https://youtu.be/fubtlPHWJJA