I have a 200 series TTD land cruiser and tow my homemade 2.6 Ton (loaded) twin axle caravan. As pictured
The minute I leave the last speed speed restriction in any town is to accelerate in "ECO" to 100km/hr, then engage cruise control. Leave it engaged, uphill/downhill/on the flats, until the next town, then slight brake to disengage and slow to the set limit. Stop for a while, drive through, get to the other end of town and repeat the accelerate/cruise.
If required the auto will kick back to 5th, then maybe 4th(rare); over the hill, then back through the gears to 6th quite quickly. Nice and smooth.
My average fuel consumption is 18lt/100. Taken from last trip; Perth - Alice Springs via Pilbara, Kimberly's, Katherine then down to Alice. Returned same route.
I have been listening to many caravaners over the last couple of years and most seem to recommend towing in 5th gear. (with a 6 speed box)
The question is why?
From memory, I think my RPM`s are about 1800 in 6th.
I look forward to any input. I can`t see a reason for locking in 5th.
Cheers.
Hetho
Possum3 said
12:20 AM Jan 31, 2017
Top gear is basically an overdrive - and is definitely not recommended for load (towing) C&P from 4WD Action
the fact that for it to be an overdrive gear the manual gearbox has to run another couple of cogs on a lay shaft, and loading those cogs up with lots of torque forces the gear teeth apart, putting exponentially larger forces into the bearings carrying that layshaft - and that's usually what dies, if not the gear teeth themselves. It does actually happen just thru normal driving without a trailer, but the manufacturers design things and work it all out then make the gearing such that at hwy speeds, you can't hold the gear too long to put so much torque thru the box/gears for long enough to destroy the gearbox within whatever they've determined is a reasonable life for the gearbox or the term of their responsibility under warranty for most drivers - so it's all a numbers game. If you are a driver who manages to push somewhat more torque thru the gearbox than most do even without a trailer then you can be caught with a dead box - and some do get caught that way; so it really never pays to use whatever gear your overdrive is as anything less than a cruising gear, cos pushing to maintain speed in overdrive up hills or even on the flat is just not good for it and WILL be shortening the life of the box. Yeah, you might get away with it now, maybe even for a while, but that's a very short sighted and finite outlook, unless you plan on selling the vehicle very soon!
You can't avoid this sort of wear/damage if you tow, simply because of the EXTRA torque it takes to pull that extra set of wheels even if the trailer is empty!! And if it's that sort of damage, which every car manufacturer, dealer, & workshop can readily recognise, it is extremely unlikely that they'll replace it under warranty, even if you have never towed at all!
Sorry, but them's the facts about it - & unless you've got deep enough pockets to go up against a multi-national conglomerate car manufacturer, then you are ultimately going to lose any argument about who pays
Lancelot Link said
02:51 AM Jan 31, 2017
I really don't care for all the crap about towing in over drive, 6th gear or any other gear. If I come to a hill, or notice a change down in auto while towing, as suggested by both the car serviceman and the people who sold my this year a perfectly good Jayco caravan, I change down and drive the car manually. It is funny how the white noise will continually rise up and cause confusion. Ask the right people with the right information and you will get a right answer.
When towing, always watch and feel your tow, be realistic with your vehicles capacity and before you go of half ****ed, check your towing capacity, limitations and the need for weight distribution hitches.
And have a bloody good time on the road! Hope to meet you somewhere!
Diane1 said
08:45 AM Jan 31, 2017
It has a lot to do with the combiation ofrev,s and gears. Too high a gear combined with toò low rev.s leads to lugging a loaded engine
No matter it,s size. And other way about.
Towing. Normally. Around 2000ish rev.s and engine not lugging. You.ll be fine, speed. Commfort and economy wise
With the AVERAGE liittle diesel donk most use here. Even that little v8 toyota use.
Had operation, waiting for surgeon now. And breccy.
Bill B said
09:11 AM Jan 31, 2017
Hetho wrote: From memory, I think my RPM`s are about 1800 in 6th.
I look forward to any input. I can`t see a reason for locking in 5th
If your revs are 1800 at 100 kph you are in 5th.
At 100 kph in 6th revs are 1500.
Handbook tells you to tow in S5
-- Edited by Bill B on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 09:12:20 AM
LLD said
12:16 PM Jan 31, 2017
Only time I've needed to lock my Ranger XLT Dual Cab in gear was coming down the big hill into Wollongong from Sydney direction. 40kph truck limit was a bit of a hint. Van weighs approx 1600kg plus ute contents. Left Ranger in "D" going back up Macquarie Pass.
Moonraker said
12:47 PM Jan 31, 2017
I also have a LC200 but tow a 3.5Tonne max weight van. Until I bought a scamgauge 2 set on transmision fluid temperature (TFT) I always towed in Drive at 100 kmh.
Once I fitted the scangauge and saw the TFT temperature which was very high compared to when not towing I quickly changed to S4 at 90 kmh
TFT came down to normal (same a when not towing) and fuel consumption went down from approx. 24 l/100km to 20.
Note on the LC 200 both 5th and 6th are overdrive gears 4th is the 1:1 gear.
I did consider fitting a trans lock such as the Richards auot trans lock system but as I will be towing close to 3.5 tonne most of the time It would be in S4 most of the time anyway and the LC box will still change down automatically when set in S mode as well.
One of the most expensive repairs to tug due to towing is replacing a cooked gearbox!
ants_oz said
01:14 PM Jan 31, 2017
Hetho,
The owners manual should guide you.
To others with other vehicles - how does your situation help the OP? They asked for specific advice on an LC200.
ants_oz said
01:30 PM Jan 31, 2017
Possum 3,
While the information you provided is perfectly correct for many MANUAL gearboxes, it bears no issue for the AUTOMATIC transmission in the OP's vehicle.
All modern automatic transmissions use axial ratio arrangements - the ratios are spread down the axis of the transmission, with torque being transferred down that same axis - from the input shaft to the output shaft.
That is a completely different mechanical arrangement to manual transmissions in current consumer vehicles, which transfer torque across a series of parallel shafts and gears.
The added complexity with automatic transmissions are the torque converter lockup characteristics. That can change between similar engine/transmission combinations from the same manufacturer, let along different combinations across different manufacturers.
Moonraker said
02:40 PM Jan 31, 2017
The LC 200 only has an auto gearbox. When towing a heavy load in D it will continually hunt for the right gear usually up and down between 4th and 5th. Not easy to hear this going on or even to pick it up on the rev counter as it can be very quick. The "hunting" causes the transmittion fluid to heat up to over 100 degC towing on the flat. I am told (havent done this myself) if TFT goes ovef 130 degC the vehicle will go into lump home mode. Towing in S mode prevents this hunting resulting in very little if any trans temp increase. For my heavy van I find S4 towing with speed at 90kmh keeps the trans temp at same as if not towing (normal) rpm will be 2150 rpm providing loads of torgue and not overloading anything without having too high engine revs. If towing smaller loads than me then S5 might be the go. A Toyota mechanic told me never tow in S6 or let it go into S6. 5th and 6th are the overdrive gears as stated by Toyota. In any event fitting a TFT gauge or easier still plug in a Scangauge or similar at less than $200 set up on TFT you will soon see for your self. It will be the best $200 addition to you LC 200,
-- Edited by Moonraker on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 02:54:30 PM
-- Edited by Moonraker on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 02:55:57 PM
ants_oz said
02:56 PM Jan 31, 2017
Hi Moonraker,
The torque converter being unlocked is what drives up the trans temps. The LC200 is known for unlocking the torque converter early in the top gear/s. That is why the temps of the fluid increase so quickly, and so highly. The torque converter lockup kit (aftermarket modification) that some people fit is intended to solve this aspect of the problem.
-- Edited by ants_oz on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 02:59:43 PM
Moonraker said
03:11 PM Jan 31, 2017
Yes Anthony thats why I tow in S mode. The LC 200 gearbox still has gears with the LC200 in S mode the gearbox will change down if needed automatically but not up. So it is necessary to select the correct S mode gear for the load being towed.
In any even as I said fit a scangauge and you will soon find out for your self what you are doing to your trans. fluid and will be the best guide to what mode and gear you should tow your load in.
-- Edited by Moonraker on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 03:12:36 PM
Aus-Kiwi said
03:47 PM Jan 31, 2017
What also increases temps is engine struggling and turbo working hard to maintain speed in higher gear . The exhaust temps etc rise over time .. The load spools turbo also . Rpm isn't enough for engine to generate power . As threshold is under turbo's or engines rpm efficiency . Sport mode or lower gears where engine is happy at lighter throttle . Especially when cruising ..
Moonraker said
04:23 PM Jan 31, 2017
Hi Graeme,
I agree, my LC 200 has heaps of torque but the engine and transmittion has a lot less stress on it towing heavy load in S4 and at 90 kph. It might take me a few of minutes per hour longer to get to my destination but is does it comfortably. With less fuel even if the revs are just a little higher which probably proves the point.
Bill B said
04:50 PM Jan 31, 2017
Also tow in S4 at 90 - 95 kph the majority of time.
Occasionally use S5 at 100 kph if good flat road with no head winds.
Aus-Kiwi said
05:23 PM Jan 31, 2017
Oh yes the head winds ! In my case in motorhome . But same thing . Can double fuel consumption . I've slowly learnt even at age !! Lol to slow down under 80kph or stop for the night . Hopefully next morning wind is more favourable .. Often is ..
Moonraker said
07:26 PM Jan 31, 2017
The Nullabor heading west comes to mind. Going East can be great. Also try to time the return trip from the south west WA to Perth up the forest freeway when the seabreeze is blowing early afternoon get a free push most of the way. Wish the fuel consumption could be that good all the time. Can also slip into S5 at times As Bill says. Sometimes I think wind has a greater affect than weight. But thats a bit off topic.
-- Edited by Moonraker on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 07:27:32 PM
Cupie said
08:37 PM Jan 31, 2017
Moonraker wrote:
The Nullabor heading west comes to mind. Going East can be great. Also try to time the return trip from the south west WA to Perth up the forest freeway when the seabreeze is blowing early afternoon get a free push most of the way. Wish the fuel consumption could be that good all the time. Can also slip into S5 at times As Bill says. Sometimes I think wind has a greater affect than weight. But thats a bit off topic.
-- Edited by Moonraker on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 07:27:32 PM
Something in the comment about 'wind effect' IMHO.
On a memorable trip south from Lightning Ridge with a roaring wind up the clacker, the Patrol got 16L/100 rather than the usual 22L/100. Best ever. I was disappointed to have to pull over for the night. It was a beautiful drive.
I was tempted to put it into overdrive 5th but resisted. Never in 200,000km have I used 5th when towing. That's what my family mechanic advised when I got the vehicle with 50,000km & a mechanic in Darwin showed me a couple of stripped gearbox shafts that he had replaced in Patrol boxes that had constantly been used in 5th for towing.
Don't know about Autos though.
DaveO said
08:59 PM Jan 31, 2017
As stated by other posters:
1. With the LC200 TTD, you will not be in 6th gear at 1800 @ 100 km/h. It will be in 5th gear, possibly unlocked.
2. If you have not got a Scangauge II or similar gauge (such as the Ultragauge?) that will display transmission temps, I recommend you get one. It will open your eyes to the range of transmission temps and give you a whole new reason for wanting to look after your transmission, unless you have deep pockets.
Papou said
12:24 PM Feb 1, 2017
S4 for reasons stated above , right up to 100 klicks and have had no probs with hills or whatever . Purchase of a scangauge for your LC200 will be one of the best investments made especially if you are towing :)..
toglhot said
05:37 PM Feb 1, 2017
Listen to the experts on this one, the car manual. All the other experts are only experts because they have armchairs.
Hetho said
06:08 PM Feb 1, 2017
Hi to All.
Thanks for all the reply`s, comments and suggestions.
Regards.
Hetho.
Hewy54 said
06:32 PM Feb 1, 2017
I have a manual 80 series.
Had it for 12 years and towed all over the place, always tried to get it into 5th gear ASAP in the belief that it was lowering revs and hence more economical.
Fitted an EGT a couple of years ago and have now changed my driving habits and drive by exhaust gas temps.
I usually sit on about 95 kph, and drive in 4th gear as this gives a lower temp and hence better economy, and better for the car.
Tail wind or downhill, change to 5th.
gold dandelion said
10:40 PM Feb 1, 2017
pretty hard to pedal up hill or into the wind in top gear on a pushbike.
Hewy54 said
07:54 AM Feb 2, 2017
gold dandelion wrote:
pretty hard to pedal up hill or into the wind in top gear on a pushbike.
Even harder when you are towing.
dirvine said
09:26 AM Feb 2, 2017
In the past cars only had 4 or 5 manual gears. The 4th gear was usually a"straight through" gear ie front shaft from motor locked to rear output shaft and no cluster gear or layshafts used. Hence a very strong gear. So people were told tow in 4th for that reason. The issue now is with 6 to 8 speed gearboxes, most gears after 4th are all overdrive ie using a layshaft etc, so I cannot understand why we all dont drive in the straight through gear if we listen to all the experts.
As many of you ride a push bike with gears what is easier? Riding up a hill in top gear and struggle or select the best gear where your cadence ie pedal stroke per minute is at a comfortable level and you are not straining your self or the bike. I use the same philosophy for the car when towing. All car manuals tell you at what revs you car has the most power and torque. So when I come to a hill with towing I use my paddle to keep the auto in the rev range. On the flat I just select D and let the gearbox decide which gear is best.
I also use a simillar process for 4wding. I manually select the auto gear bix and rarely go beyond 5th gear in low range. To much strain on small gears will eventually cause excessive wear. The 4wd club I am in says for manual cars dont use high gears in low range, and in fact many auto boxes will not change up to high gears in low range. My 8 speed discovery only goes as far as 6th in low range which can be frustrating when you are on a main dirt road driving between tracks, and dont want to change to high range. Nothing is mentioned in the manual about this. I only discovoured it when I drive and told tge dealer there was something wrong with my gearbox in low range.
DaveO said
11:04 AM Feb 2, 2017
toglhot wrote:
Listen to the experts on this one, the car manual. All the other experts are only experts because they have armchairs.
Seriously? Never profess to be an expert, but in my case....
1. I own a LC200 TTD
2. I have read the manual - it says don't tow in 6th
3. I tow a 2.5t van
4. I have a scangauge fitted so I can attest to transmission temps in different gears whilst towing (and not)
Just trying to impart some first hand experience to the OP Hetho :)
Sheesh !!!
Diane1 said
11:41 AM Feb 3, 2017
Toyota or any other. With auto boxes
they ALL have torque converters and slippage. That,s how they work.
Some have more advanced computers internally than others.
Anybody towing LARGE loads without a full lock up box, will be doing both their vehicle
And their back pocket a favouÅ by reading up a little, and possibly installing,
A torque converter lock up switch.
I have and it DOES make a difference.
Hylife said
06:40 PM Feb 6, 2017
The manufacturer of your tow vehicle knows infinitely more about it than you do and has designed the electronics to do what is best for the transmission.
I have a 2016 Toyota Fortuner (Hilux Wagon) and was told by the dealer that when towing just leave it in drive, set the cruise, and let the transmission do its thing, and to come back if I found the ratios weren't to my liking.
Whilst towing it sat in 5th gear most of the time and only got up to 6th (top gear) when speeds exceeded 108kph. As there was still heaps of power on tap even at 110kph whilst towing and as the fuel economy was so much better in 6th at 110kph compared to 5th at 90kph, I went back and had the ECU remapped. It now selects 6th at 98kph.
Aus-Kiwi said
07:50 PM Feb 6, 2017
Find above hard to believe if van is decent size .
Hello to all.
I have a 200 series TTD land cruiser and tow my homemade 2.6 Ton (loaded) twin axle caravan. As pictured
The minute I leave the last speed speed restriction in any town is to accelerate in "ECO" to 100km/hr, then engage cruise control. Leave it engaged, uphill/downhill/on the flats, until the next town, then slight brake to disengage and slow to the set limit. Stop for a while, drive through, get to the other end of town and repeat the accelerate/cruise.
If required the auto will kick back to 5th, then maybe 4th(rare); over the hill, then back through the gears to 6th quite quickly. Nice and smooth.
My average fuel consumption is 18lt/100. Taken from last trip; Perth - Alice Springs via Pilbara, Kimberly's, Katherine then down to Alice. Returned same route.
I have been listening to many caravaners over the last couple of years and most seem to recommend towing in 5th gear. (with a 6 speed box)
The question is why?
From memory, I think my RPM`s are about 1800 in 6th.
I look forward to any input. I can`t see a reason for locking in 5th.
Cheers.
Hetho
the fact that for it to be an overdrive gear the manual gearbox has to run another couple of cogs on a lay shaft, and loading those cogs up with lots of torque forces the gear teeth apart, putting exponentially larger forces into the bearings carrying that layshaft - and that's usually what dies, if not the gear teeth themselves. It does actually happen just thru normal driving without a trailer, but the manufacturers design things and work it all out then make the gearing such that at hwy speeds, you can't hold the gear too long to put so much torque thru the box/gears for long enough to destroy the gearbox within whatever they've determined is a reasonable life for the gearbox or the term of their responsibility under warranty for most drivers - so it's all a numbers game. If you are a driver who manages to push somewhat more torque thru the gearbox than most do even without a trailer then you can be caught with a dead box - and some do get caught that way; so it really never pays to use whatever gear your overdrive is as anything less than a cruising gear, cos pushing to maintain speed in overdrive up hills or even on the flat is just not good for it and WILL be shortening the life of the box. Yeah, you might get away with it now, maybe even for a while, but that's a very short sighted and finite outlook, unless you plan on selling the vehicle very soon!
You can't avoid this sort of wear/damage if you tow, simply because of the EXTRA torque it takes to pull that extra set of wheels even if the trailer is empty!! And if it's that sort of damage, which every car manufacturer, dealer, & workshop can readily recognise, it is extremely unlikely that they'll replace it under warranty, even if you have never towed at all!
Sorry, but them's the facts about it - & unless you've got deep enough pockets to go up against a multi-national conglomerate car manufacturer, then you are ultimately going to lose any argument about who pays
When towing, always watch and feel your tow, be realistic with your vehicles capacity and before you go of half ****ed, check your towing capacity, limitations and the need for weight distribution hitches.
And have a bloody good time on the road! Hope to meet you somewhere!
If your revs are 1800 at 100 kph you are in 5th.
At 100 kph in 6th revs are 1500. Handbook tells you to tow in S5
-- Edited by Bill B on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 09:12:20 AM
Once I fitted the scangauge and saw the TFT temperature which was very high compared to when not towing I quickly changed to S4 at 90 kmh
TFT came down to normal (same a when not towing) and fuel consumption went down from approx. 24 l/100km to 20.
Note on the LC 200 both 5th and 6th are overdrive gears 4th is the 1:1 gear.
I did consider fitting a trans lock such as the Richards auot trans lock system but as I will be towing close to 3.5 tonne most of the time It would be in S4 most of the time anyway and the LC box will still change down automatically when set in S mode as well.
One of the most expensive repairs to tug due to towing is replacing a cooked gearbox!
The owners manual should guide you.
To others with other vehicles - how does your situation help the OP? They asked for specific advice on an LC200.
While the information you provided is perfectly correct for many MANUAL gearboxes, it bears no issue for the AUTOMATIC transmission in the OP's vehicle.
All modern automatic transmissions use axial ratio arrangements - the ratios are spread down the axis of the transmission, with torque being transferred down that same axis - from the input shaft to the output shaft.
That is a completely different mechanical arrangement to manual transmissions in current consumer vehicles, which transfer torque across a series of parallel shafts and gears.
The added complexity with automatic transmissions are the torque converter lockup characteristics. That can change between similar engine/transmission combinations from the same manufacturer, let along different combinations across different manufacturers.
The LC 200 only has an auto gearbox. When towing a heavy load in D it will continually hunt for the right gear usually up and down between 4th and 5th. Not easy to hear this going on or even to pick it up on the rev counter as it can be very quick. The "hunting" causes the transmittion fluid to heat up to over 100 degC towing on the flat. I am told (havent done this myself) if TFT goes ovef 130 degC the vehicle will go into lump home mode.
Towing in S mode prevents this hunting resulting in very little if any trans temp increase.
For my heavy van I find S4 towing with speed at 90kmh keeps the trans temp at same as if not towing (normal) rpm will be 2150 rpm providing loads of torgue and not overloading anything without having too high engine revs.
If towing smaller loads than me then S5 might be the go. A Toyota mechanic told me never tow in S6 or let it go into S6.
5th and 6th are the overdrive gears as stated by Toyota.
In any event fitting a TFT gauge or easier still plug in a Scangauge or similar at less than $200 set up on TFT you will soon see for your self. It will be the best $200 addition to you LC 200,
-- Edited by Moonraker on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 02:54:30 PM
-- Edited by Moonraker on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 02:55:57 PM
Hi Moonraker,
The torque converter being unlocked is what drives up the trans temps. The LC200 is known for unlocking the torque converter early in the top gear/s. That is why the temps of the fluid increase so quickly, and so highly. The torque converter lockup kit (aftermarket modification) that some people fit is intended to solve this aspect of the problem.
-- Edited by ants_oz on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 02:59:43 PM
Yes Anthony thats why I tow in S mode. The LC 200 gearbox still has gears with the LC200 in S mode the gearbox will change down if needed automatically but not up. So it is necessary to select the correct S mode gear for the load being towed.
In any even as I said fit a scangauge and you will soon find out for your self what you are doing to your trans. fluid and will be the best guide to what mode and gear you should tow your load in.
-- Edited by Moonraker on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 03:12:36 PM
I agree, my LC 200 has heaps of torque but the engine and transmittion has a lot less stress on it towing heavy load in S4 and at 90 kph. It might take me a few of minutes per hour longer to get to my destination but is does it comfortably. With less fuel even if the revs are just a little higher which probably proves the point.
Occasionally use S5 at 100 kph if good flat road with no head winds.
The Nullabor heading west comes to mind. Going East can be great.
Also try to time the return trip from the south west WA to Perth up the forest freeway when the seabreeze is blowing early afternoon get a free push most of the way. Wish the fuel consumption could be that good all the time. Can also slip into S5 at times As Bill says.
Sometimes I think wind has a greater affect than weight. But thats a bit off topic.
-- Edited by Moonraker on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 07:27:32 PM
Something in the comment about 'wind effect' IMHO.
On a memorable trip south from Lightning Ridge with a roaring wind up the clacker, the Patrol got 16L/100 rather than the usual 22L/100. Best ever. I was disappointed to have to pull over for the night. It was a beautiful drive.
I was tempted to put it into overdrive 5th but resisted. Never in 200,000km have I used 5th when towing. That's what my family mechanic advised when I got the vehicle with 50,000km & a mechanic in Darwin showed me a couple of stripped gearbox shafts that he had replaced in Patrol boxes that had constantly been used in 5th for towing.
Don't know about Autos though.
1. With the LC200 TTD, you will not be in 6th gear at 1800 @ 100 km/h. It will be in 5th gear, possibly unlocked.
2. If you have not got a Scangauge II or similar gauge (such as the Ultragauge?) that will display transmission temps, I recommend you get one. It will open your eyes to the range of transmission temps and give you a whole new reason for wanting to look after your transmission, unless you have deep pockets.
Hi to All.
Thanks for all the reply`s, comments and suggestions.
Regards.
Hetho.
Had it for 12 years and towed all over the place, always tried to get it into 5th gear ASAP in the belief that it was lowering revs and hence more economical.
Fitted an EGT a couple of years ago and have now changed my driving habits and drive by exhaust gas temps.
I usually sit on about 95 kph, and drive in 4th gear as this gives a lower temp and hence better economy, and better for the car.
Tail wind or downhill, change to 5th.
Even harder when you are towing.
As many of you ride a push bike with gears what is easier? Riding up a hill in top gear and struggle or select the best gear where your cadence ie pedal stroke per minute is at a comfortable level and you are not straining your self or the bike. I use the same philosophy for the car when towing. All car manuals tell you at what revs you car has the most power and torque. So when I come to a hill with towing I use my paddle to keep the auto in the rev range. On the flat I just select D and let the gearbox decide which gear is best.
I also use a simillar process for 4wding. I manually select the auto gear bix and rarely go beyond 5th gear in low range. To much strain on small gears will eventually cause excessive wear. The 4wd club I am in says for manual cars dont use high gears in low range, and in fact many auto boxes will not change up to high gears in low range. My 8 speed discovery only goes as far as 6th in low range which can be frustrating when you are on a main dirt road driving between tracks, and dont want to change to high range. Nothing is mentioned in the manual about this. I only discovoured it when I drive and told tge dealer there was something wrong with my gearbox in low range.
Seriously? Never profess to be an expert, but in my case....
1. I own a LC200 TTD
2. I have read the manual - it says don't tow in 6th
3. I tow a 2.5t van
4. I have a scangauge fitted so I can attest to transmission temps in different gears whilst towing (and not)
Just trying to impart some first hand experience to the OP Hetho :)
Sheesh !!!
I have a 2016 Toyota Fortuner (Hilux Wagon) and was told by the dealer that when towing just leave it in drive, set the cruise, and let the transmission do its thing, and to come back if I found the ratios weren't to my liking.
Whilst towing it sat in 5th gear most of the time and only got up to 6th (top gear) when speeds exceeded 108kph. As there was still heaps of power on tap even at 110kph whilst towing and as the fuel economy was so much better in 6th at 110kph compared to 5th at 90kph, I went back and had the ECU remapped. It now selects 6th at 98kph.