I had an MK, sd33T and towed a 3/4 ton of boat to Exmouth, half way there stripped 5th gear. The early GUs were weak in the fifth gear but the later ones were modified at the factory I believe.
I now have a 98 GU 2.8 tdi and NEVER tow in 5th.
Printable View
I had an MK, sd33T and towed a 3/4 ton of boat to Exmouth, half way there stripped 5th gear. The early GUs were weak in the fifth gear but the later ones were modified at the factory I believe.
I now have a 98 GU 2.8 tdi and NEVER tow in 5th.
I think what causes the damage, is the "push pull" action of the trailer.,
If you stay in 4th gear, there is less load on all components in the drive train, and pushing along with a heavy load in 5th can only use more fuel.
I only use 5th on the flat or downward slopes, other than that, it's 4th.
hello the ferret, what about unloaded driving around town can that damage 5th gear if used at say 70kph?
Here's an ol thread I thought I wouldn't use as I got the almighty GQ but...........waiting for it hahAhaha But the ok mans gone and got a 2006 GU td42t with a 100k aporox on the clock and is gunna use it to tow a 3t van. Now he's not a silly old bugger (totally anyway) and has towed 25ft boats around plenty. But he's been told by someone not to tow in 5th?? I'd av thought on the flat would be ok but as above drop back when it labors
In the owners manual of pretty much every manual 4WD it expressly says that you should not tow in 5th gear (porbably to escape paying for boxes under warranty). Some vehicles handle it better than others, but that series of GU definately had issues.
I've had to rebuild/replace many GU, Landcruiser, Courier/B series boxes after 5th let go. Normally after towing heavy loads, but one '99 GU I did had blown 5th after towing a 12' tinny with about 200kg of luggage in it. Pretty much every trans workshop will rebuild these boxes with a stronger 5th gear set up.
If I bought a new heavy 4WD vehicle which the Patrol is and was told not to tow in 5th the sale would fall through immediately.
Keith.
If you have an owners manual handy, see if it's in there in the towing section for your model of Patrol.
I wonder how a new/used car sales person would answer if they were asked the question about towing in 5th.
i towed a 600+kg pop top camper with a load of probably 500kgs on tray along with two full tanks of diesel in the old girl,she didnt miss a beat doing 5000ks with some mighty hills,on which i was back to 4th ,and then if i pulled 5th going down the other side,i would drive/ accelarate all the way to the bottom,thus not allowing the weight to load the box,diff etc with foward twist/ torque,which apparantly puts more load than anything!?---i think it all comes down to driving smart and listening to your engine!!!----does anyone agree???????????