What mods do i need/want to tow?

I tow a 26’ Sonic trailer. I have added Sway bars, sumo springs (black) and tow mirrors (gigantic help). I have a E2 WDH and factory brake controller (2015 was wired but didn’t have one). All have made improvements.

 

Thats a n awesome looking set-up! Since it pertains to the OP's thread, what tow mirror set-up are you using? I went with Dometic clamp ons, and they've actually been really nice.

 

Take this for what it’s worth, but I have noticed that with Chevron premium the truck feels like it tows better.

 

I put on the factory mirrors and love them

 

Add a convex mirror to them and you will love them even more. Eliminates the blind spot on the passenger side.

 

They have one on the bottom. I like it better than the bsm light.

 

Supercharger is the best mod for towing.

 

Ya I have the same mirrors. The bottom mirror is convex but it doesn't show much and it's easy to lose a car on the passenger side. I found my original mirrors worked better. Adding the convex mirror shows everything and feel better about changing lanes to the right in heavy traffic.

 

Need: nothing
Want: look in your wallet

 

Interesting

Almost every post I've seen here by people say S4 and TowHaul when towing.

 

There are lots of members claiming this. Whenever i ask where the manual. Its always pasted the section about s4 in downhill braking. Individuals will claim this until blue in the face. Its your vehicle drive as you please

 

I was thinking on adding the convex mirror to my tow mirrors also. Where did you mount the convex mirror (pic)

 

No hills in MB...I started towing with it this year, S4 on first trip then S5 on way back and second trip.

Seemed to tow fine. Maybe I'll try D next year. I know for our Sienna, I always put it in 4 instead of D.

New truck, lots to take in and learn. No matter what it's in, I'm guessing it'll tow like a champ

 

I put mine in D/tow haul mode and go. Long downhills I may shift into S4. Depends on the grade and the heat.

 

For me towing my 5,500lb trailer, I like to keep it in manual mode, but between S4 and S5 depending on the speed and whether it's hilly. If the transmission is constantly changing in S5, I switch to S4. Less shifting, more control. If I'm on a long flat section (typical in SE Texas), sometimes S5 works great.

 

Here ya go.

 

I used Chevron a lot when i was in Texas. But nary a Chevron to be found in CO or any of the other states I’ve been in recently. I’m using Shell Premium (with nitro) when I tow here now.

 

I’m taking it out next week for the first two night trip with the trailer. Only 90 minutes away but i will have some elevation gain going out and then give it back on the return. I’ll come back and give a report on what i found with D or S using T/H.

 

Same, I switch it up like this... I'm not towing much anyway, my trailer is a little over 3k lbs. I just like to pretend I'm in a big rig and down shift from time to time.

 

Done lots of towing with my truck, also in Manitoba and Northern Ontario. Always in D. I let the truck figure it out. That's what Tow/Haul is for.

 

I believe @dirtydeeds is still having a REALLY nice sale on their exhaust systems. Go ahead and get you one if you're still running the stock exhaust. You won't regret it.

 

Perfect, are they from Amazon or e-bay?

 

Im in Canada so I bought them at Canadian Tire but I'm sure Autozone, Walmart or any aftermarket parts store would have them.

 

Sluggish? Strange. I have a 5.7CM towing a 29’ Jayco (6500ish) and was thoroughly impressed in the gas guzzling power while towing.

 

[QUOTE="ColoradoTJ,

Drive and tow/haul is where the truck should be most of the time unless you are going down a steep grade. When you put the truck in manual mode, you lose some features like grade braking for the smaller hills.

Try it out sometime on a daily commute. Put your truck in tow/haul and watch when coming to a stop. The next day use manual mode in S6 and watch the RPM. It doesn't downshift to assist in stopping.[/QUOTE]

I understand your comments about losing features when using tow/haul in manual. However, the issue that I have is transmission temp. My transmission temps spike quickly going up hills. If I use manual, I can down shift and quickly drop the temp. I tow a camper that weighs 4,500 lbs.

 

I understand your comments about losing features when using tow/haul in manual. However, the issue that I have is transmission temp. My transmission temps spike quickly going up hills. If I use manual, I can down shift and quickly drop the temp. I tow a camper that weighs 4,500 lbs.[/QUOTE]

Use both. Drive in D on the flats and down hill and use 4S only when climbing. Curious, what temps where you spilling too?

 

My transmission temps will quickly climb to 235 on the rolling hills of East TN, unless I manually select a lower gear. Wish I understood Toyota's logic to block tow/haul features when in manual.