Towing up a grade in the summer...

I'll be dragging my smaller trailer up the grade between Bishop and Mammoth Lakes. Looking at the weather, it's going to be almost 100 degrees as I start my ascent.

I know it'll be fine, but is there anything that I should be aware of? Am I worrying too much? Should I just keep it in tow/haul mode and let the big dog eat?

 

You should be fine. Take a look at this http://www.lauradrives.com/tundra-vs-competition-tow-rating/

-Jason

 

Th and let it eat, the trans fluid does run hotter in these trucks but if it was an issue I'm sure Toyota would have addressed it. You can also grab a scangauge or ultragauge to watch those trans temps as well if you don't have one.

 

I use TH amd S mode. I try to limit the trucks upshift and downshifting by choosing the right gear for the grade, and holding it. Upshifting on the flats. I typically won’t go past 5th so it doesn’t hunt.

I kind of drive that way anyways with or without trailer except for using 6th more often.

 

It's a bit less than 3500lbs with it loaded. Not hauling any water as the site has full hookups.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. We did the same trip with our Odyssey last summer and I pegged the temp gauge. That whole trip with the serious crosswinds and climbs was sketchy AF. Hence the Tundra...

 

Leave it in a lower gear with the torque converter locked, you should be just fine.

 

Let it rip! I tow 3500 at 10,000 feet all the time.

 

I see you are hitting almost 7000 feet. I live daily at pretty close to that altitude. You’ll have no issues.

 

No need to worry about a single 10mi grade. Just did a trip from WI to WY with 5000lbs. No issue, just put it in tow haul and pressed the gas.

 

The only thing u need to worry about is to pack your fishing poles and go fishing.

 

Thanks for all the advice. We did the trip with no issues climbing the grade. I was mightily impressed.

On the way back, the temps hit 106 with serious cross winds. I didn't really notice the breeze until the toy hauler in front of me started wandering all over the road. We then hit an epic thunderstorm coming down the Cajon pass. Winds, lightning, marble sized raindrops. I was concerned about hydroplaning while towing but it didn't even flinch.

I. Love. My. Truck.

 

Nice! Glad everything worked out.

 

And to think I thought TH mode just changed the pedal/throttle mapping ..