Thread: Towing in 5th

Can't see it causing any issues atall... I have thrashed mine mercilessly in every gear it has while towing 4 tons and havent broken anything!

(although I do seem to spend a fortune maintaining it)

Pete

Originally Posted by JamesB

Is towing in 5th gear (r380 box) good or bad for the transmission ? I ask because I have heard hilux manuals have weak 5th gears and are prone to failure when towing. I will be towing a 6x4 box camper trailer at easter and the 130 will be reasonably loaded. Any thoughts ?...

It will be fine, the R380 is a strong box and would take a very heavy load and alot of Ks before you would have trouble, Toyotas and the early GU Patrols had big problems with 5th gear letting go when towing heavy loads for long periods.

When towing don't let the revs go below the recommended torque minimum of 1950rpm, keep it up in the torque range and it will be fine.

Hot temps are the killer.

I've just had my 5TH gear looked at and it was fine, my problem was the oil pump in the gear box, must have got some crap in it at some stage from an oil change or srapnal from 2nd and 3rd support bearings on the way out.

With 160,000ks and most of that towing a 1.5ton van and us with a 1.3t camper, i think you'll be OK.

Baz.

Originally Posted by Redback

<snip> and the early GU Patrols had big problems with 5th gear letting go when towing heavy loads for long periods.

<snip>.

and they were only due to an incorrectly machined spline from a supplier.
Ours has frequently towed a big, heavy horse float with an 800kg horse in it and it has clicked over 280,000km now without a problem. (touch wood)

The Defender has towed the same package on occassion and I always used fifth.
My thinking is it's a gear that's there and should be used. Don't want to be buzzing down the road at 100km/h in 4th........

Originally Posted by rick130

and they were only due to an incorrectly machined spline from a supplier.
Ours has frequently towed a big, heavy horse float with an 800kg horse in it and it has clicked over 280,000km now without a problem. (touch wood)

The Defender has towed the same package on occassion and I always used fifth.
My thinking is it's a gear that's there and should be used. Don't want to be buzzing down the road at 100km/h in 4th........

Apparently the upgraded gear just has more spline contact area.

Guys,
Pajeros and early model Discos Defenders with 5 speeds were also renowned for 5th gear bearing failure. I did one in my Pajero towing and a friend who fixed it told me the Rovers were having identical problems. Be ware.

4th is the strongest due to no layshaft or gear teeth involved. I've never shyed away from using 5th but use 4th for hard work anyway.

so long as you dont labour 5th your laughingas a general rule If im below 100KPH and i hit a hill or need more go I double down to 4th and let the engine spin harder its easier on everything (unless your engine is old and tired in which case change down slow down)