towing question

[nightvision]

Hi all,<br />Need a little advice on towing a boat.<br /><br />Truck: 2000 Nissan Frontier (5000 lb Towing Capaicty, automatic transmission, 2 wheel drive)<br />Boat: Sea Ray 180 (17.5 foot bowrider, fully loaded about 2,800 - 3,000 lbs)<br /><br />Question:<br />a. My local marina ramp is moderatly steep. When pulling the boat out of the water should I put the truck in 2nd gear? Or is normal drive (D) position gear sufficent. Which would be best for the transmission.<br /><br />b. When I approach a moderately steep hill, the truck will slows down and I will be doing about 30-40 mph. At this speed the truck will be struggling. Say if the truck is at 35 mph can I shift into 2nd gear. I'm not too sure if this speed is too fast for 2nd gear? Please advise.<br /><br />Thanks for the help.

 

[roscoe]

Re: towing question

a. Does not matter. Your automatic transmission will stay in "low" or first gear when pulling out, till you reach 10+mph.<br /><br />b. If your truck has overdrive (4speed auto transmission) you should not use the overdrive while towing. 2nd gear, 35mph, is about right, try it once.<br /><br />I would also have the dealer read the vehicle codes to make sure it is equipped to tow that much. Most vehicles will be equipped with a trans cooler and possibly an oil cooler to tow that much.

 

[fseries]

Re: towing question

you are fine with what you are towing and how you are towing right now any more you may be risking it a little

 

[Mark42]

Re: towing question

Many transmissions will start off in 2nd gear if the selector is placed in 2. That is generally to reduce tire spin on ice and snow. It would make put a bigger load on the converter on a steep ramp. Stick with Drive unless you have lots of wheel spin.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: towing question

There should be no reason for you to manually shift into second at all when running an automatic tranny, unless you're going DOWNhill and need some engine braking. When towing up the ramp just put it in drive. And when approaching that hill just put your foot down farther so it'll downshift for you. If you have the V6 it only has 170hp and doesn't make that until it gets to 4,800 rpms. So when climbing hills with that load you'll need that motor to be closer to its powerband...not redlined, but maybe approaching the 4,000 rpm range...in order to keep the rig up to speed. Kick it down and let the motor wind out, won't hurt a thing and is actually easier on the motor, tranny, and cooling system when it's spinning faster under such a load than forcing it to lug away and gradually lose momentum...that builds a LOT of heat in everything.<br /><br />Also...have you actually weighed your loaded trailer? I could be wrong, but I suspect that rig weighs more than 3K, not that it matters too much IF your Frontier is properly equipped with a tow package.<br /><br />And on a side note, you in Fresno, CA? Then I assume your rig has trailer brakes...if not, be aware that you're about double the state law on trailer weight limit, I believe CA requires brakes at 1,500 lbs.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: towing question

Climbing a long steep grade may require that you manually select second gear. If the transmission shifts from third to second, picks up speed, shifts back to third, loses speed, and the process repeats, you need to lock it in second, back off the gas a little and let the engine rev. Continuous up and down shifting is what destroys transmissions. YOu probably have a tach so keep rpms comfortable, as crazy says, in the 4000 RPM range for the hill climb.

 

[BrettNC]

Re: towing question

What craze1cars said. That is right on.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: towing question

Originally posted by BrettNC:<br /> What craze1cars said. That is right on.

So is what Upinsmoke added...a very important note that I didn't fill in. If your tranny is "hunting" as he describes, that is a definite time to manually kick it down into the next lowest gear 'till the climb is done.