2010 Patrol auto - towing

[oilburner98]

G'day all,

Can anyone offer any advice regards towing with an auto?

I'm sure this has been covered many times, but many thanks if anyone has any tips.

Re: towing - auto - hold/power button/ -O/D - fuel consumption etc.

Boat/trailer is close to 1.5t, will be towing east from Perth to Melbourne.

Have done all the obvious work to trainer ready for long tow.

cheers,

Mat

[the evil twin]

General rule is tow in "power" with "OD" off.

On long trips where terrain, headwind (lack of as we get some beaut ones over here as you know) and traffic flow permit I will use OD esp across the Nulla obviously.

"Power" changes the downshift points more than upshift so means less hunting
"OD" when load is minimal (downhill and or flat, tailwind etc) allows the TC to lock which reduces gearbox temps by heaps
"Lock" doesn't do bugger all when towing really, unless you wanna drive it like a manual, it is more for snow, slush etc

Fuel - too hard to call as depends on drag from boat and load in yours, roof load etc
I'd call it 20% more and work from there.
Plenty of stops across the guts now but where to do a fuel stop I always use the "next stop +1" rule.
Allow for enough fuel for next stop +1 in case the next stop has a fuel bowser/stock/genny/etc issue and that way you can get to the next sucker after that and not get stranded

Your biggest issue may be coolant temps this time of year so make sure the fan clutch etc etc are all tickety boo

[GQtdauto]

A torque lockup mod will help with trannie temps and improve fuel efficiency ,best mod for towing in an auto imo.

[the evil twin]

A torque lockup mod will help with trannie temps and improve fuel efficiency ,best mod for towing in an auto imo.

Totally agree, dunno if the OP has the time tho... I got the impression he is about to set off real soon.

[GQtdauto]

I was in a similar situation and left with a relay but it was the wrong one and I regretted not finding the time to get it done so two options just the basic one relay and one switch or buy the plug in version from wholesale automatics .