What gears are you guys towing in?

This may have been discussed before but I've found some conflicting info. I read the manual and while it states tow/haul for under 5k and th+ for over, what gears are you guys towing in? I'm used to the s4 and s5 in my 2.5 gen but this 23 has a few more gears. My boat ways a little less than 5k so I'll try the tow haul first but should I pull down to sixth gear? I rarely tow over 62, 63 or so. Thanks for any info!

 

I think you need to feel it out. Where does the engine feel happy?

A 5000 lb boat is not the same as a 5000 lb travel trailer, which is not the same as a 5000 lb dump trailer. So you wont necessarily get the right answer from someone else.

 

I pull a boat that size and I found the trans did an excellent job of finding the best gear in D. I always had plenty of power and never felt it hunting for the correct gear. If I was traveling up and down steep grades I would probably use one of the tow modes but on mostly level ground it performed great in D.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

My travel trailer weighs about 4,200 lbs and I use the Tow/Haul mode setting and leave it in drive I haven't tried the TH+ mode. I found that it seems to like that the best and the transmission shifts better without all the torque convertor slipping if I leave it in Normal Drive mode. I think shifting it into manual shift mode would be better to get into the lower gears and also allow the engine to rev a bit higher when starting off.

 

When I towed my 5500 lb travel trailer, I put it in S7 and TH+. I followed the break in and did 50 MPH for hundreds of miles. When I did finally increase my speed I found that I needed to be above 58 or 59 MPH to get into S7. Then it would hold there on flat ground at a slightly lower speed. I'm in California and we have slow towing speed limits.

 

TH+ S7 averaging 15+mpg towing 3900lb car on 2250lb trailer, mostly highway.
Really happy with how the truck performs.

 

I'm about to tow a '97 Del Sol... If you don't mind me asking, what's the setup you have for the tow hitch mount and ball? I'm wondering if it's overkill to get something like an adjustable B&W or Bulletproof or just let UHaul install theirs. Thanks!

 

Absolutely buy the B&W.

 

I just tow the car once in awhile, that’s why I use u-haul. WDH’s are not used with u-haul Transporter. It’s recommended the center of your tow ball be about 18.5” from ground.
Your truck should be able to tow a Del Sol on a Transporter with ease.
Edit: I purchased the the 3.5’ drop ball mount and 7500 lb ball at u-haul for my stock height Tundy, works great.