I towed a 6x10 trailer with a four wheeler on it and the Fj seemed like it sucked the gas down unusually fast. Kept wondering if when towing you should run in fourth gear and not overdrive gear? Any thoughts? Any body experienced such? Thanks all!
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Re:Towing with an Automatic
Date: 2007/07/28 05:11
By: Runner_Ryan
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Mine is the 6 speed manual, and I found that my milage didn't suffer too badly, as long as I wasn't speeding. Most auto guys say stay out of overdrive when towing.
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Re:Towing with an Automatic
Date: 2007/07/28 06:44
By: newm3m8
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My FJ usually gets 21mpg in the WV mountains, but when towing my GTX Seadoo full of gas(700lb) on its trailer, and the FJ full of camping gear, I got 14mpg. I shift to 4 when going uphill especially when the tranny is shifting up and back, it's normal for a automatic, just remember to put it back in D on the flat and downhill slopes to conserve gas. Oh, remember you lose mpg with every mph over 60, so choose a speed you can live with, I find myself speeding when I don't need to. Just a thought. Increasing tire size and weight will hurt you in the towing and mpg department too, I'd keep the tires as stock as you can stand.
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Re:Towing with an Automatic
Date: 2007/07/28 20:12
By: mywifesfj
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F.J.C.O. n00b
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one thing I am thinking of when towing with the FJ (Automatic Transmission) is running premium for the extra HP, I'm going to tow two four wheelers up through the mountains in a few weeks, I'll let you know how it goes.
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Re:Towing with an Automatic
Date: 2007/07/28 23:19
By: KingCruiser23
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That was going to be my question. If you are towing in the mountains or on hilly areas, your mileage with be impacted by your load and your FJ wll be happier in 4th instead of OverDrive. I would definitely suggest running in 4th, instead of overdrive in these conditions. Even on flat surfacs and with a heavy load, I think you will find better MPG in 4th gear.
I have not towed with my FJ yet, but I will be soon. I also have a Dodge Durango and I towed a 22' trailer from Arizona to Illinois and kept it out of OverDrive when climbing the mountains from Phoenix to Flagstaff.
Good Luck!
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