Overheating transmission oil in reverse

I have a 2022 Tundra 4x4 Limited with about 19K miles. I use it to tow a 6K pound travel trailer. About 540 lb tongue weight. I tow it in Tow+ mode.

It pulls perfectly. I use the Timbren SES system and a weight distribution hitch. Zero issues pulling.

However, when I bring the travel trailer home, I have to reverse it up a slight incline into its carport. My Toyota Tacoma was able to do this task fine. However, I can't get the Tundra to reverse up the incline without the transmission overheating. I've tried 4L and 4H and it doesn't make a difference.

It certainly seems like the transmission may be binding or its into too high of a gear while reversing. The tires aren't spinning; it just doesn't seem to have the power to reverse with the trailer attached.

Any suggestions? My next step is to take it to the dealer.

 

Take it in, it’s under warranty

 

Welcome to the club.

 

You only have one reverse gear.
If your tongue weight is really only 540#, it’s too low for a 6k # camper.
When backing up the hill with the trailer attached, does it feel like the trucks brakes are kicking in? Many complain that the RCTA system engages the brakes when backing up with an object (your trailer) in the way.
The short distance you are likely backing up should be unlikely to create an overheating situation for the trans.

 

He's right at 9% and my 21 manual sez 9-11%. ....But another 60# wouldn't hurt a thing. I agree the RCTA could be the problem although on my all sorts of nannies take a well deserved break when in 4L.

 

The actual tongue weight is probably more than 540 lbs because of the battery, two propane tanks filled, etc.

The brake comment is interesting. My father thinks my foot must be touching the brake but I’m positive that I'm not touching the brakes.

The total distance isn't far - probably less than 100 ft. However, I have to stop multiple times to let the transmission oil cool. I'll ask the dealer to confirm but I'm confident the transmission oil is actually overheating because it smells bad.

Can I disengage the RCTA? I'm fairly certain the dash indicates the RCTA is disabled because it says something like RCTA off on the dash.

 

I'm assuming your TT has electric brakes and not surge brakes (as I've never seen a TT with surge brakes). You have to be pushing against the brakes (which if active on the truck, they will also be engaging the trailers brakes) for it to be that hard for the truck. Alternative is that your truck is somehow messed up and needs mechanical intervention. If it backs up fine in every other scenario, I'm inclined to think having the trailer behind you is what the problem is. Try unplugging the trailer connection next time when backing up the hill to see if it's easier? Also confirm your braking nannies are turned off so they are not engaging when you have the trailer attached.

 

You should be able to go up a small incline in reverse in 4L without applying any throttle. It’s a travel trailer so I don’t expect it has surge brakes… does it?
2nd gen has this exact issue with overheating transmissions too. My guess is the ATF in the torque converter is getting really hot from sustained high load and the torque converter doesn’t lock up in reverse.

 

no surge brakes on the TT.

I have to give it significant throttle to back up the incline with the TT connected. The engine never gets hot but the transmission oil does within probably 10-15 seconds of reversing.

No issues backing up without the TT.

 

Are you on asphalt or in a yard. Wonder if the TT tires are sinking in? Definitely a head scratcher, but if the Tacoma did it then you should not have any issue. Are you using Tow haul mode and I wonder 4L should not be causing it to overwork and make sure it's in 4L as these toyotas have to be moved alittle to get it into 4H or 4L.

 

It’s a gravel road with compacted fines. Tires aren’t sinking. Here’s a picture of the incline.

 

15% grade?

 

You’re not going places.

 

I just backed up my 6500lb TT today with no issues at all. Pushed it up an incline and onto large concrete chunks to level it out for its winter parking spot. Pushed easy.
I’m betting your trailer brakes are engaging or dragging. Unplug the trailer from the truck.

 

I'm with you with the brakes doing something strange!

 

That or it's jackknifed.

 

I back my 5500 lb trailer up a steeper paved incline at my house and have not noticed any issues. How do you know your tranny is hot? I don't think the 22 has a gauge like my 11 had.

 

Is it possible to smell an overheated transmission when they are sealed units? There must be a vent.

 

There is a vent, usually on the firewall with what looks like an axle breather cap on it.

 

Yes, my past f150 was puking it all over the exhaust at hiways speed not towing.. F Ford!

 

How do you know the transmission is overheating? Are you getting errors on the dash? You say you have to stop multiple times within 100ft to let the transmission cool....does your transmission gauge show its overheated? If you're going by smell I think your mind is making up problems as I can't think how it would be possible to overheat the transmission in 100' even if the brakes on the trailer were locked up and you were sliding the trailer on the locked up tires. Maybe give us all a little more info on how you know its overheating i.e. pictures of the dash gauges indicating overheating (would help with warranty claim at dealer anyway, so hopefully you took some pictures). A little more detail might help anyone here help figure out your issue because I've read this multiple times and I can't figure out how you know you have an issue other than you're going by "it smells bad". Did you actually see the gauge say overheated transmission? and then you proceeded to wait till it cooled down and then in another 10' you see overheated transmission? If your gauges aren't indicating an overheated transmission I'm not sure you actually have a problem if you're going off of smell.