2016 towing caravan in 5th gear

[Weedpharma]

I have a dualcab diesel manual and have just retired to do some travel.

I have just travelled across Australia with a 19'6" caravan. A large part of that was in 5th gear. The Hilux appeared to handle it comfortably. It was only lightly loaded as we want to bring some stuff back with us (we are not planning to overload!)

However, I read in another thread that this will wear out the bearings prematurely.

Your comments please.

Weedpharma

[Tigesinaus]

The story goes that 5th and 6th are overdrive gears, whereas 4th is straight through. Some people have had issues with the gear wearing out prematurely when towing heavy loads in those gears.
Personally what I used to do was tow in 5th on flat roads and declines then change down for any hills, so the engine wasn't working hard on that gear up the hill.

[06lux]

I tow nearly 1tonne every day and have for years and when I'm camping im up near 1.8t with all the firewood and I do exactly what tigesinaus does and never had a issue. I just check the oil more regularly

[john253a]

You'll find 4th to be your best choose, if you find it revving 2 high and you plane to do a lot of travel you could look at bigger wheels, steeping up to 32" will drop you down a bit, but will take some power out

I found 90/95 in 4th perfect
Even my old hilux very rarely get into 5th (power resions, I don't have enough) but I do cruise at 2800 in 4th 100kph

[incman]

Says in my manual not to tow in 5th, I have 2015 model

viewtopic.php?f=8&p=269054

[Weedpharma]

Thanks for the responses.

Looks like I will have to only use 5th on the flat and down hill while using 4th a lot more.

Weedpharma

[sunnyboy]

I have 2013 d4d manual sr5. Just towed 2.3tonne caravan around australia, top gear all the way, only downshifting on long hills because the motor didn't have enough grunt. Had no problems with any drivetrain components. I understand the weakness of older boxes and transmissions but the modern trucks are engineered to tow bigger loads now. That's my opinion anyway.

[sunnyboy]

I have 2013 d4d manual sr5. Just towed 2.3tonne caravan around australia, top gear all the way, only downshifting on long hills because the motor didn't have enough grunt. Had no problems with any drivetrain components. I understand the weakness of older boxes and transmissions but the modern trucks are engineered to tow bigger loads now. That's my opinion anyway.