Towing a caravan with an auto

I have a 2007 Prado D4D ( 5 speed automatic).

Found that towing van (approx 2.3t) in 4th puts less strain on motor,

Tried the cruise control once but my scanguage showed how much juice I was using when not on level ground. Never used it since.

Have now done 35000kms with van and change the oil every 5000kms when towing 10000km other times.

Also found that for response when starting off ,it is better to gradually increase speed rather than put the foot down straight away. Cheaper that way too.

When approaching a hill keep your revs up .

You will find it very easy to handle.

Pedro

Read your Users manual to see what it says about towing. For many modern vehicles it is better to tow in Sports mode - not Drive.
Check the optimal speed for your torque converter to lock up as this will keep the transmission cooler. I always tow in S4 or S5 as this is easiest on the vehicle's transmission. Very very rarely would I use S6 when towing except if its a very long down hill grade.
I NEVER use Drive when towing.

Cheers

My vehicle has a 5 speed transmission with no sports mode. I have been instructed, in writing, by my vehicle maker to always tow in D, particularly up hills. This allows the torque converter to lock and prevent overheating.
As has been said, check you manual. Every vehicle is different, there is no 'one size fits all'. If you don't follow the makers recommendations then the warranty may not be honoured if something goes wrong.

Netnut - Did you happen to weigh your fully-loaded BT-50 and van, to find out what your all-up weight actually was?

Cheers - Ron.

G'day, Ron,

No, I didn't weigh the vehicles for a GCM as I'm sure I was within the allowable weight limits. I bought the Mazda as it has been rated highly for its carrying/ towing ability.

By my educated guess, I was carrying 500 kg in the car - includes two adults, a tank of fuel and extraneous goods - and towing a van weighing around 1800 kg.

Some statistics for the BT-50: the kerb weight is 2100kg, the payload is 1100 kg, the GVM is 3200 kg and GCM is nearly 6000kg. The ball weight of the van is around 110 kg.

Hope this helps answer your query, Ron
Cheers,
Netnut

Netnut - Yes, your weights info is interesting & helpful. I must say I'm somewhat stunned at the figure of nearly 6000kg for the manufacturers GCM rating for the Mazda.
That's a huge amount of weight to try and handle, and bring to a stop, for what is essentially a modest-sized ute.
I've got a 3 1/2 tonne Bedford truck that is only rated for 10800kg GCM, and the truck has a 3 1/2 tonnes tare, and is built with a vastly increased size in drivetrain and chassis construction, and braking ability, over a Mazda ute.

As regards the transmission oil cooler, it appears I should have made my recommendation a little clearer.
All automatic vehicles have a transmission oil cooler as standard. This comprises an oil tank situated in the bottom tank of the radiator (or side tank, if it's a crossflow radiator).
This oil tank is in contact with the engine coolant, and the design ensures that hot transmission oil being pumped through the tank, that is over the engine coolant temperature, receives some cooling effect.

However, in every case involving heavy towing with an automatic, it is highly advisable to fit an ADDITIONAL transmission oil cooling method.
There are usually aftermarket transmission oil coolers available, that are effectively a small radiator in themselves.

These oil radiators are plumbed into the transmission oil lines and the air flowing through the fins reduces the transmission oil heat levels, at a considerably better rate, than the transmission oil coolers mounted in the radiator tank.

Cheers - Ron.