5TH GEN TOWING

anyone towing with their 5th gen, i have a 2022 Coleman 17B about 3300lbs loaded. just wanna see everyone's set up and how much you tow? Electric brake controller , springs. hitch ? post your pictures

 

Watching. We’re looking at an Escape 19 and plan to pull it with our 21 Venture. We’re in the flatlands in Southern Oklahoma / N. Texas so probably no mountains.

 

You need a good electronic brake control and a light duty load distributing hitch.

 

There are a few threads around here about towing travel trailers, and brake controllers.

3,300 loaded, the 4Runner will do fine. But, keep it in S4, and under 65 MPH. Take your time and enjoy the scenery.

 

I toasted a 2020 4R tranny towing a 3,500lbs trailer.

 

Sounds like operator headspace.

 

How fast were you driving? Towing in S4?

 

I tow a tiny Intech Flyer Chase, 2200 lbs gross. REDARC brake controller and Sumo Springs to stop the sag.

 

I always tow in S4 but I read somewhere that on steep grades it wasn't good to drop to S3, anyone know why that would be? I've about decided to add a trans cooler but it looks like the B&M coolers everyone was using are no longer made. I don't want to use a cheap one so who makes the best ones now?

 

The only thing I can think of is that only fourth and 5th actually lock in. So, in S3, the transmission could get hot.

 

Yep, that's my experience with it: S3 got hotter than S4 (provided you drive in a way that keeps S4 locked). Even the truck shifting between 3 and 4 at varying speeds up a grade runs cooler than S3.

OP: get a scan gauge or Ultragauge so you can keep an eye on your transmission temps. Engine too, I guess, if you want more detail than the dial gauge.

 

I remember from posts like this that the torque converter doesn't lock up in 3rd on deceleration. If I'm reading it right, that would mean S3 generates a lot more heat in 3rd on downhills or rolling hiils in S3 in many cases especially if towing, I suppose?

https://www.4runners.com/threads/how-and-when-do-you-use-s-mode.20213/page-4

 

Nice find! Is that out of a service manual? Very helpful to know I can use S3 for climbing and have lock, but not for decel, or for engine braking. I was using it on some big climbs out east last month and hit 240 deg a couple times. I also stumbled across a post saying adding a cooler would void your warranty, that's hard to imagine unless it actually caused the failure.

 

You do get some engine braking in S1, S2, and S3. I use them all the time while off-roading, and occasionally while towing. I haven't been monitoring my trans temp, but it seems like maybe I should be.

 

Was there anything for S1, S2, and S3?

Seems odd that 3&4 would lock in S5 and D, but not in S4.

 

Nice set-up! Wish I could afford Airstream ANYTHING.

 

It doesn't seem completely accurate, because 4th does lock up under acceleration while in S4.

Beluga, do you know where that snapshot is from originally?

And from the deceleration question: I have seen trans temps increase from engine braking, but it seems to level out at a point and not keep climbing (for me anyway). I would definitely keep an eye on it on long grades, though; I saw a post on TW where someone's trans temp light came on after driving down from the Sierra's towards LA or something.

 

It originally came from an earlier discussion here

https://www.4runners.com/threads/flex-lock-up-torque-converter-question.8116/

 

Usually torque converters don't lock up at lower speeds in lower gears to avoid engine shock to the drive line with throttle input at higher rpms and of course, stalling at very low speeds. In most older transmissions it is a good rule of thumb to not "take it easy" towing heavy loads uphill at lower speeds for extended period of time if one can help it since that allows too much slip in the converter and blow up that transmission. It's a real phenomenon when newer drivers get into hauling with automatic transmission rigs and they think they are taking it easy but end up burning up the gearboxes.