New to a Titan

freemachinist · 10-18-2009, 04:52 AM

So I'm wondering what kind of weight I can tow with the truck in overdrive? 800lbs or so then use "4"? I know not to be in OD while towing my boat, 2900lbs. But what about my 400lb utility trailer?
Thanks

**loufish** · 10-18-2009, 09:49 AM

It's not just the trailer weight, the terrain and towing speed makes a difference.....

You want to avoid the trans "hunting" from 5th to 4th and back again as the trans trys to figure out which one is needed for the load. A 2900 lb boat towing at 65 mph flat ground can use 5th (unless you're running taller tires) That same trailer in hilly country would cause the trans to hunt...so you drop it down to 4th.

There is no exact number, but most people get a feel for how their truck re-acts to the above conditions and come up with what works for them....BUT most people will be towing in 4th gear by the time the trailer hits about 4000 lbs...

kornegk · 10-26-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loufish

It's not just the trailer weight, the terrain and towing speed makes a difference.....

You want to avoid the trans "hunting" from 5th to 4th and back again as the trans trys to figure out which one is needed for the load. A 2900 lb boat towing at 65 mph flat ground can use 5th (unless you're running taller tires) That same trailer in hilly country would cause the trans to hunt...so you drop it down to 4th.

There is no exact number, but most people get a feel for how their truck re-acts to the above conditions and come up with what works for them....BUT most people will be towing in 4th gear by the time the trailer hits about 4000 lbs...

Good answer Loufish. I have an 08, SE, BT 2wd FFV and have pulled my boat & trailer which weighs around 4500 - 5000 lbs. Even up and down some hills, for the most part the converter stayed locked up as long as the speed was at 65 mph. Occasionally it dropped down to 4th up some of the grades and the transmission temperature gauge stayed near the center of the gear symbol. Sometimes I would try and tow in 4th gear but it made no difference to the temperature gauge. I have towed my 24 enclosed trailer at around 6500 lbs but that was towed on flat land with no hills. I started using only 4th but then tried 5th and the tranny stayed in 5th and the convertor stayed locked up at 60 mph in flat land. So I agree with Loufish, every truck, load and terrain is different and requires commons sense. I'm sure if I towed the 24ft enclosed on the same routes as the boat with the hills I would be in 4th most of the time and perhaps have to drop down to 3rd near the top of some of those hills.