I am coming to the expertise of the forum since I have received conflicting information.

I have a FJ Cruiser with a towing capacity of 5000 lbs. My travel trailer is a Lance 1575. The loaded weight is 3750 lbs. I love the FJ and it is paid off. I don’t want to get back into a car payment.

Now to my question: is it better for the transmission to tow with it in D or keep it in 4?

I really appreciate your feedback.

You should know where your engines sweet spot is for power. My 4runner likes to stay around 3000 rpms when towing. I don't use overdrive unless I'm going down hill. I'm rated to tow #5000 with my v6. Milage went from 20 to 13 towing in the Utah mountains. Currently towing a trailer weighing in at #3600.

Refer to the owners manual.

If you find it going in and out of gears at speed, drop it out of drive (overdrive ability). So on flats, you could likely be in D but going through hills 4 would be better. You should also realize you might not be able to maintain your normal speeds especially of you typically cruise at +speed limit speeds.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
Refer to the owners manual.

This

GENERALLY SPEAKING.... (consider that a disclaimer) I would use D for towing at both low and highway speeds on one trip and reasonably flat ground.

If it was very hilly terrain or short low speed trips maybe not.

But the previous advice of checking the manual is the best.

If you're in high gear and it has to constantly shift down to the next lower gear to maintain speed, shift down to that gear.

Towing close to my 4700# limit, I'll tow in D with the "TOW" button engaged. It changes the shift points. Longer 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears, I think.

And downshift to 3rd or lower if on a super-steep 40mph summit climb.

The last time I towed, it may have been 2000#, and I didn't notice the weight, kept it in D.

It is a valid question, as my Pathfinder is recommended to tow in 4, because D is a pseudo overdive where the torque converter is not locked, which can supposedly lead to increased heat and wear.

I will still go into D for flat or highway, but around town or hilly stretches, I'll slow down a bit and drop into 4.

If you don’t have an owner manual, here’s a link to a source of PDF owner manuals. I looked at one and there’s a good deal of info on trailer towing-too much to quote here.

https://parts.olathetoyota.com/owners-manuals

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:
If you find it going in and out of gears at speed, drop it out of drive (overdrive ability).

This. If the transmission is constantly hunting, just keep it in 4. Use Drive on flats if you want, but 4 lets the engine keep its rpm's more into the power zone. I have a little Tacoma w/ 4cyl manual, can't tow much weight, but I always stay in 4th gear for towing (stay out of 5th, which is the overdrive gear). When I used to run 2500/250 diesels and towed more, one brand (forget which) had a tow mode and when you pushed that button, it forced it to stay out of overdrive. You can pretty much tell by listening to the transmission what it needs.
 

The manual for the 2013 FJ simply says to avoid using Drive (D) when using "engine braking"(e.g. when going down steep grades).

Good luck.

do not tow in overdrive. So that means you will need to slow down on the open road. Just part of the deal.

Thanks for all the replies. I can't believe I never thought to look at the owner's manual. Guess I I was too worried about other aspects of getting everything set up and relied on what the guy at the Toyota service department told me. Looks like I will ignore him and go with 4 as per the manual. Thanks for all the replies.

with o.e.m. tires ?
or 38 inch monster mudd tires ?

does you truck have a towing package
special radiator
special oil cooler
special trans cooler?

I have OEM tires and do not have the tow package. It was not something on my radar when I bought the FJ back in 2011. I did have the hitch installed at a Toyota dealer and I inquired about adding a transmission cooler. They checked the specs and told me a trans cooler was standard equipment starting in 2010.

If you have not already done it.,I would add a Transmission cooler. It will extend the life of the trans with a load. I also recommend switching to a synthetic Trans fluid

A Daytona transmission shop owner once told me Bike Week always brought business from guys who used overdrive while towing bikes to the event.

Consult your owners manual. It will certainly have more relevant information than you will get anywhere else. If the book says you can do, you certainly can.

You MUST read and follow the owner’s manual. How it “feels” is irrelevant.

For example, a GM 4L60E must be in 3 when towing. When the transmission starts, it will use its clutches differently. Towing in D will wear the clutches faster. A 4L80E, however, is fine to tow in D, since it’s always ready for a heavy start.

Follow the mfg’s instructions.