TOWING IN FIFTH GEAR

[jacktheripper]

By the way, I picked up a Exedy HD for $500 delivered to my door with a Thrust Bearing, Aligning Tool and a Spiggot Bearing. Thanks for that.

[timberbeast]

If I'm towing an empty trailer that weighs 670kg I tow in 5th at anything up to 120kmh.
If loaded with a total of 3000kg including the trailer its always 4th gear 90-95 kmh.

[Hobosgold]

I've got a 2010 4x4 hilux, I tow a 900kg trailer( you know the one, the Hilux tub camper) when I drive to the gold fields and sitting on 110kph I'm in 5 gear. After seeing this post not to tow in 5 gear,I got out my owners manual and in my it said and I quote: When towing a Trailer, in order to maintain engine breaking efficiency, do not use 5 gear. It dose'nt say that it will ruin your gear box or anything else. I have driven accross from victoria to WA in 5 gear at 110kph and havent had any problems. I've done 90,000kms. So now I'm not sure if I am doing the right thing by driving in 5 while towing

[mut59]

There was a recent segment on 4WD tv talking about just this. The "expert" said exactly what is being mentioned here with 5th gear being on the main shaft and Fifth on an idler and at the other end of the gear box. When under load in 5th the shafts experience a lot of torsional force and can damage the thrust washer for 1st gear apparently. The suggestion was to tow in 4th or invest in a "Tow Pack" from a gearbox specialist. I'm just glad I read this and saw the segment before doing the trip up to the Cape with camper in tow. It would be a shame to suffer gearbox problems for the sake of possibly using a bit more fuel.

[Hobosgold]

There was a recent segment on 4WD tv talking about just this. The "expert" said exactly what is being mentioned here with 5th gear being on the main shaft and Fifth on an idler and at the other end of the gear box. When under load in 5th the shafts experience a lot of torsional force and can damage the thrust washer for 1st gear apparently. The suggestion was to tow in 4th or invest in a "Tow Pack" from a gearbox specialist. I'm just glad I read this and saw the segment before doing the trip up to the Cape with camper in tow. It would be a shame to suffer gearbox problems for the sake of possibly using a bit more fuel.

I saw this segment on the weekend also food for thought, so I contacted them and this is the return email I got. Hi Johnny
Your gearbox can’t handle towing in 5th Gear so its just a matter of time before you lose 5th gear or worse. If your gearbox is still in good condition we could do yours for approx. $2550. A changeover tow pack is $3550. Allow $660 for remove & refit plus oils. We would only recommend a standard heavy duty clutch but they can introduce diesel rollover noise from the engine at approx. $700 including spigot bearing & machining the flywheel. Genuine clutches for that vehicle however are much cheaper but not heavy duty.
Regards
Jacqui

360 Gearboxes & Diffs Pty Ltd &
Japanese Gearbox Wholesalers &
All Wheel Drive Gearbox Reconditioners
Has any body got this done, I think its going to cost me about $3900 to get this done including the heavy duty clutch

[pogasarus]

I have always towed my boat trailer (800kg) or camper trailer (1200kg) in 5th with my 07 SR and never had any gearbox issues. The ute had about 180,000kms on it when I got rid of it last month.

[dino12]

faaaark this is interesting stuff, I just got back from Mildura where I towed a 2000kg boat/trailer 1000 ks. I was cruising on 120 -130ks in 5th across the Hay plains and have never heard of only towing in 5th. You live and learn.
Thanks for the tip

mate, in w.a. if towing anything, you have a speed limit of 100 kph. in the manual box, 100 kph equates to 2500 rpm in 4th gear. I had a jeep wrangler diesel, engine characteristics much the same as the hilux but much more torque above 2000 rpm. the gear box was geared at 2500 rpm in 5th gear, what the hilux does in 4th. I towed a heap of ks with a camper on the back, and the back of the truck full of gear. no problems at all. ever. in a hilux I'd leave 5th gear alone when towing. you'll probably find you get better fuel economy driving in 4th as well.
cheers.

[2007Lux]

There was a recent segment on 4WD tv talking about just this. The "expert" said exactly what is being mentioned here with 5th gear being on the main shaft and Fifth on an idler and at the other end of the gear box. When under load in 5th the shafts experience a lot of torsional force and can damage the thrust washer for 1st gear apparently. The suggestion was to tow in 4th or invest in a "Tow Pack" from a gearbox specialist. I'm just glad I read this and saw the segment before doing the trip up to the Cape with camper in tow. It would be a shame to suffer gearbox problems for the sake of possibly using a bit more fuel.

MMmm this is interesting as I got a new box under warranty at 65k. The first gear synchro had gone which meant the box was pulled down and on inspection the case hardening was partially damaged on most gears. So what has this got to do with towing in 5th you ask? Well the previous owner of my car used to tow a van of about 1.5t so I wonder if he towed in 5th? If so I wonder if this had caused the damage. I was fortunate enough to see my old box in pieces at Toyota and it was at that point the mechanic explained the towing in 4th gear principle due to the idler shaft being weaker. I now own a 1.1t camper and tow in 4th at 100km/hr

[Johnny Mack]

HI All , I have a 2010 diesel 4 x 4 with all the bells & whistles (bull bar ,winch ,hi-lift kit + 1 tonne payload ,heavy duty tow pack plus racks ( great machine ) ,I unfortunately ground "5 th gear & bearings into an expensive re-build @ 135k noting I;ve been through 2 clutches up & on my 3 rd till then . I pull a 1800kg tinny @ speeds of :mach 1 + ( 110 -120 kph) ,i'm a believer in doing the speed limit when-ever I can & am more than willing to give following vehicles room to over-take when safe to do so . It 1 st started as a "whine" in the box ( 5 th gear only ) which slowly over time became more pronounced ,then 1 day cruising @ 105 on East link the whine became a "grinding noise " ( not very pleasant ) ,limped back to workshop in Caulfield ----5 k later I drove out ----now I'm to frightened to tow in 5 th thus pull in 4 th ---down side is "very thirsty " . The boat probably followed the ute 50 thou ks so it done a fair bit of work ( Portland , Eden at the drop of a hat ). My lesson was learnt the hard way ------ just purchased a "new 2014 SR5 which will go to "Iron man " for all accessories ( bull bar ,winch ,lift kit ,ARB heavy duty tow pack ,long range fuel tank & a few other bits & pieces . I may put some photos up once completed .
Cheers " JMc"