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The Official 1st Gen Towing Thread - any and all things towing

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by onesojourner, Jan 6, 2021.

  1. Apr 24, 2021 at 5:06 AM
    #31
    onesojourner

    onesojourner [OP] Here, let me derail that for you

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    You should absolutely leave it off all the time when towing those loads. Some people flirt with leaving it on on flats and downhills. The manual says to turn it off. You can run 75 with od off all day every day and be just fine. Heat kills transmissions and that is why od stays off while towing.
     
    1stgentundradriver likes this.
  2. Apr 24, 2021 at 8:17 AM
    #32
    shoe07

    shoe07 New Member

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    I use a scan gauge to monitor trans temps, and also load. I typically tow with o/d on as long as I can keep my speed over 60mph and the torque converter locked in 4th gear by maintaining load under 72% by throttle control. If I’m slowing too much, or the torque converter unlocks, or i see a hill coming that I know is too big to maintain speed, or if I’m fighting a headwind I turn off o/d.

    ive found with o/d off I get about 7.3-7.8 mpg at around 65mph. With it on and ensuring the torque converter stays locked I get 8.6-9.8 at the same speeds.

    I’ve never seen my trans temp go over 170. But it has not yet been too warm and I’ll monitor as the weather changes. I’ve now towed our travel trailer over 2300 miles since January and my average is up to 8.95mpg while towing.
     
  3. Apr 24, 2021 at 8:31 AM
    #33
    onesojourner

    onesojourner [OP] Here, let me derail that for you

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    Good information. I have not taken the time to get my head unit setup with my transmission temperatures. I'm on a little trip now. I will report back with my mileage. Shoe, have you been to a cat scale yet?

    You are really putting the miles on this year. Nice work.
     
  4. Apr 24, 2021 at 8:42 AM
    #34
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    This has been my MO since owning the truck in 2002. The manual does say turn OD off when towing, but the only time I turn it off is hills or strong head winds. Having a temperature monitor helps to know if things are getting awry. Having just acquired one, can confirm Trans Temps under 180° in summer tow on flat windless days.

    Once the Transmission starts toggling (shifting back and forth 3rd-4th gear) due to climbing/head wind, then the OD goes off. I absolutely DO NOT tow with OD and CC on at the same time. CC will exacerbate the ‘toggling effect’.
     
    onesojourner[OP] likes this.
  5. Apr 24, 2021 at 8:49 AM
    #35
    shoe07

    shoe07 New Member

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    Haven’t been to a scale, but very similar load to my last travel trailer (add a nicer mattress and two zero gravity chairs in the camper, but the bikes now go in the truck bed so probably pretty close to equal) so equipped for trips with that I had around 500 - 600 lbs of gear + water.

    I would say I’m close 4800 lbs trailer weight loaded and with full water.

    I have a tongue weight scale, and tongue weight is my greater concern. empty my trailer was about 450 (advertised as 420) loaded (including two 20lb propane’s and a group 27 battery) I’m at 750-800 with no water, filling the hot water heater and fresh tank to full (26 gallons total all oddly behind the axles) puts me at 650-700 tongue.
     
    onesojourner[OP] likes this.
  6. Apr 24, 2021 at 8:54 AM
    #36
    shoe07

    shoe07 New Member

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    agree, cruise control is poorly programmed on these trucks.
    My odyssey with our last trailer would shift from 6th to 5th and hold with torque converter locked and cruise on. It was very good about locking the torque converter while using cruise with whatever gear It chose. Almost never had to lock out o/d in that. I guess 12 years of transmission and cruise control programming makes a difference.

    however even with a trans cooler in that van I never saw transmission temps as low as this tundra. It was 160-180 no trailer, and 190-230 with the trailer.
     
  7. Apr 24, 2021 at 4:58 PM
    #37
    1stgentundradriver

    1stgentundradriver Each sticker adds at least 5hp

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    Okay so based upon what everyone said, the only thing bad about towing with Od off will be the mileage. Which probably won’t be much worse anyways.
     
  8. Apr 24, 2021 at 5:16 PM
    #38
    shoe07

    shoe07 New Member

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    Yes, it’s also much easier as there is much more torque available around 3000rpm. Set the cruise and roll.
     
  9. Apr 24, 2021 at 5:21 PM
    #39
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Nice setup.

    I read your comment about the fuel mileage. If you hooked up your old 17’ trailer to this truck, mileage would be a lot better and probably be in line with your prior tow rig.
     
  10. Apr 24, 2021 at 11:42 PM
    #40
    1stgentundradriver

    1stgentundradriver Each sticker adds at least 5hp

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    I appreciate all of your advice. I will be picking up a scanguage for upcoming trips. For now I will leave OD off when towing at all times. @shoe07 sweet set up. Truck looks good pulling it too. Obviously you have more drag than I do with a car hauler or pop up trailer, but in the mountains are you able to maintain speed well? Any tips for towing heavy like that in the mountains or just general hill country?
     
  11. Apr 25, 2021 at 6:47 AM
    #41
    shoe07

    shoe07 New Member

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    for hilly terrain I typically just roll with the hills, no cruise, lose 5-10mph on the ups, gain 5 over my intended speed on the downs. Just don’t let it get away from you on downhills. Downshift as need to use the engine to help the brakes.

    When the grades get above 5% or so it can’t maintain speed even with o/d off. I let it drop to 55mph then let it downshift to 2nd and let it rev. Haven’t come across anything yet that I can’t hold 55 on. I imagine at high altitudes out west on big grades it would lose speed still. It’s a relatively small displacement engine, so higher revs are needed to make power.
    Like I said I’ve previously towed at or slightly over the limit with a 4cylinder, then a 6 cylinder, so I’m not scared of revving a motor, some people seem to think it will explode or something at high rpm.
    With a headwind my old pop up would cause my Honda crv to run at a higher rpm to maintain 60 than the tundra redlines at. I put 200000+ miles on it and valves were still in spec. Sold it to a local flower shop as a delivery vehicle and I still see it running around 3 years later.

    the main thing to worry about is speed, and wind. If you go to fast you risk losing control, high winds can lead to unpredictable behavior. Go a speed that matches the conditions.
     
  12. Apr 25, 2021 at 6:50 AM
    #42
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Yeah. Keep it in the right slow lane and do the speed limit or less. Look ahead and slow down ahead of time to save brakes and build a buffer time.
     
    1stgentundradriver and shoe07 like this.
  13. Apr 25, 2021 at 7:48 PM
    #43
    onesojourner

    onesojourner [OP] Here, let me derail that for you

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    I just did 150 miles. I ended up with OD on for the first 10 miles coming home. I am not used to having to turn it off every time. It is to hilly around here for any of that business. It was shifting like a maniac.
    10.4 mpg

     
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2021
  14. May 10, 2021 at 8:17 AM
    #44
    onesojourner

    onesojourner [OP] Here, let me derail that for you

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    I had installed the weigh my truck app on my phone in hopes of happening on a cat scale. I added a card to pay with at that time. I finally ran across a cat scale. I am well under the 12600 limit. My weight distribution is light (waiting on new bars to get delivered) so a bit more weight will move upfront. My front axle is rated at 3500 and my rear is 3760 (getting close on that one)
    $12.50
    WEight.jpg

    [​IMG]
     
  15. May 10, 2021 at 9:03 AM
    #45
    shoe07

    shoe07 New Member

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    Cool, maybe I’ll check that out at some point.
     
    onesojourner[OP] likes this.
  16. May 10, 2021 at 9:10 AM
    #46
    1stgentundradriver

    1stgentundradriver Each sticker adds at least 5hp

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    Okay I have another question. When towing (or not towing) and I’m at a long stoplight or stopped on the highway in traffic, I pop the truck into neutral, and I do this to decrease wear on the torque converter and to reduce heat, thinking it’s similar to people who have a standard transmission and put it in neutral instead of just holding down the clutch. Is my thinking correct (that putting it in neutral and not keeping it in drive) helps reduce heat and wear and tear on the torque converter while in stop and go situations?
     
  17. May 10, 2021 at 9:31 AM
    #47
    shoe07

    shoe07 New Member

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  18. May 10, 2021 at 5:49 PM
    #48
    1stgentundradriver

    1stgentundradriver Each sticker adds at least 5hp

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    Boy I’d have never guessed! But it looks like I’ll keep it in drive. Thank you!
     
  19. Jun 13, 2021 at 4:20 AM
    #49
    First Gen Tundra Guy

    First Gen Tundra Guy New Member

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    Anyone else out there remove their rear seat to use that space for tool / cargo storage, or is it just me?
    I use my 2WD SR5 as a daily, very hard worker that is always packed with every tool imaginable.
    After years of cramming stuff in behind the front seats I decided to remove the rear seats, and replace them with plastic tubs and cargo boxes.
    A bit loud at first, but solved that by covering the rear cab wall with a roll of jute.
    Abuse you say?
    No.
    Passengers ride in my Limited, tools and equipment ride in my SR5.
     
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  20. Jun 13, 2021 at 8:29 AM
    #50
    jerryallday

    jerryallday New Member

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    Saw this post earlier this week about someone working on the same thing

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/ac-rear-seat-delete.90436/#post-2275927
     
  21. May 30, 2022 at 9:30 AM
    #51
    bigdans

    bigdans New Member

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    I’m a new guy. My real world towing experience at maximum weights. I moved from Miami, FL to Portland , OR in May of 2018. At the time my 2005 DC had about 92,000 miles ( 125 k today ). I pulled a Haulmark 14x7 lowrider trailer loaded with heavy things. My CAT Scale receipt showed a total weight of 13,800 lbs and “steer axle” weight of 6900 lbs, and truck weight of 6920 lbs. I had installed and ODB2 scanner to an android tablet to monitor my transmission temperature for the 3300 mile trip. I had Michelin Tires 265/16’s at the time, and my truck has the full towing factory package. I max’ed out all my tire pressures and hit the road. My transmission temp never got hot and I averaged about 13 mpg. I was surprised at how well it towed that load over 5 days. It was near perfect weather, but I traveled through Salt Lake City and the Rockies and never had a hiccup.

    Verified weights - CAT Scale


    Hitch setup - weight transfer and anti-sway


    Unloaded and adjusting for the load to come.


    Overnight in Salt Lake City - fully loaded.

     
    Last edited: May 30, 2022
    1stgentundradriver likes this.
  22. Dec 25, 2023 at 2:25 PM
    #52
    Chaoticnomad

    Chaoticnomad New Member

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    I have a 2002 tundra access cab 4x4 I have a family of 6 with three dogs looking for a camper that I can safely tow that sleeps 6 and one my truck can tow
     
  23. Dec 30, 2023 at 9:17 AM
    #53
    Mattedfred

    Mattedfred Toyota Fan Boy Since ‘04

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    I’d consider a large pop up or a lightweight hybrid travel trailer.
    If you have boys, they’ll likely be out in their own tent at some point.
     
  24. Jan 20, 2024 at 8:15 PM
    #54
    whodatschrome

    whodatschrome New Member

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    lots of dents
    I gotta question...
    I’m trying to figure out exactly what the max tongue weight is on my 2004 AC v8 4wd...WITHOUT a weight distribution hitch. I do have the factory crossmember receiver tow hitch package. I’m also wondering if there are any aftermarket receiver hitches that have a greater weight rating than my current factory hitch.
     

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