Engine RPMS question

I am new here so forgive me if I don't know what I am doing. I did a search but couldn't find what I was looking for. So here goes.

I have a 2011 Tundra 4.6 2WD. I have recently began to pull a trailer that weighs between 6500-7000 pounds which leads to my question. When I am driving down the road at 60 mph with no trailer I am running about 1500-1700 RPMs. With the trailer I average @2500 RPMs, sometimes as high at 3000 just going down the highway, no hills or anything just a straight away.

I am using the tow/hitch button when I pull the trailer.

My concern is what will this higher RPM do to my engine? How much should I be worried about this higher RPM? What can I do if anything to put less strain on the engine, it has about 76,000 miles on it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jeff

 

V8 engines make power with higher RPM, 3500-3000 rpm during towing is normal.

 

@2011_Tundra
If you are running lower RPM at 60 mph unloaded and higher RPM at the same mile per hour loaded, that is most likely due to your torque converter being unlocked because of the heavy load. I would advise you downshift so that the torque converter locks up. You will be running higher RPMs but save your transmission from all the heat that’s created when the torque converter is unlocked. Put it in S mode, I typically don’t go above fifth gear when towing and any slight grade I switch to S 4. Mind you I have the 5.7 so a little more power and easier to lug a locked out converter.

 

Thank you for the information. I think that the transmission is staying in the lower gear while towing which sounds like it is working correctly based on the information from 15whtrd. Also the information from fricho228 and Tundratoofun makes me feel better because again it sounds like it is working as normal. Should I manually be switching the gears when towing or letting the transmission work as it is? I don't want to do anything to damage either the transmission or the engine. Everything is working great at this point. I was just worried about the higher RPMs.