Towing effects on Coach

[1Motorhome]

I have never towed a car behind my Coach only a 16' trailer with a Golf cart.
With some of our upcoming trips we are going to need a TOAD for sight seeing.
I have purchased a Master tow dolly and will be towing a 2008 Toyota Corolla.
The Toyoto weighs in at aprox 2600# and dolly is approx 600# for a combined
weight of 3200#.
My Coach is a 2004 F53 V10 22000# Chassis with 19.5 wheels. 22K miles on the clock. 4 speed tranny. All in really good mechanical condition.
My question for those who have experienced a similar combination, how did it affect the power and hill climbing ability of your coach? Did you run in tow mode? Is it very Taxing on the transmission when driving in Mountains or Hill country?
I'm just trying to get a feel for what to expect and what to be attentive of.

All input is appreciated!!!

[HarryStone]

I towed my Elantra with my Master tow dolly, from eastern NM to Dallas and back. Not terrible for high hills, but hilly. I really didn't notice much change in the coach drivability. I did use tow mode and it helps with slowing down.

[1Motorhome]

Originally Posted by HarryStone

I towed my Elantra with my Master tow dolly, from eastern NM to Dallas and back. Not terrible for high hills, but hilly. I really didn't notice much change in the coach drivability. I did use tow mode and it helps with slowing down.

Thank you!!!
Did you use tow mode all the time or just on the hills?

[twinboat]

I had a class C v10, with the 4 speed transmission.

First off the 4 speed does not have Tow/Haul. It has a OD off button. That just locks out the overdrive gear, 4th gear.

You can leave the OD on while doing normal driving but you will want to press it to OD off while descending hills.

The lower, 3rd gear, will help with engine resistance and speed control going downhill.

As far as the toad and dolly, it will tow it fine. My V10 was the first generation with low HP and I towed a Jeep Renegade on a dolly thru PA, NY, and NH mountains along with the Blue Ridge PKY.

[1Motorhome]

Originally Posted by twinboat

I had a class C v10, with the 4 speed transmission.

First off the 4 speed does not have Tow/Haul. It has a OD off button. That just locks out the overdrive gear, 4th gear.

You can leave the OD on while doing normal driving but you will want to press it to OD off while descending hills.

The lower, 3rd gear, will help with engine resistance and speed control going downhill.

As far as the toad and dolly, it will tow it fine. My V10 was the first generation with low HP and I towed a Jeep Renegade on a dolly thru PA, NY, and NH mountains along with the Blue Ridge PKY.

Yes you are correct, I call the OD off tow mode but you are right it just locks out the OD on the 4 speed. Running in 3rd really kicks up my RPM's and kills what little fuel economy there is.
Some say they don't notice a big drop in MPG while towing but I have heard it will drop 2 -4 MPG.

[HarryStone]

Originally Posted by 1Motorhome

Yes you are correct, I call the OD off tow mode but you are right it just locks out the OD on the 4 speed. Running in 3rd really kicks up my RPM's and kills what little fuel economy there is.
Some say they don't notice a big drop in MPG while towing but I have heard it will drop 2 -4 MPG.

I hope not. I only get about 5 or 6 as it is!!!

[1Motorhome]

Originally Posted by HarryStone

I hope not. I only get about 5 or 6 as it is!!!

LOL... I average 7.1 to 7.4 towing golf cart, I run 63 to 65 mph as a norm.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by HarryStone

I hope not. I only get about 5 or 6 as it is!!!

Do you have " OD Off " or " Tow/Haul " printed on your shift handle.

Tow/Haul won't kill your gas mileage like running with 1 speed of your transmission locked out.

[1Motorhome]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Do you have " OD Off " or " Tow/Haul " printed on your shift handle.

Tow/Haul won't kill your gas mileage like running with 1 speed of your transmission locked out.

OD OFF. not tow haul. with OD off the RPM's turning about 3200 at 63 MPH.
Not where I want to be on a long haul.
I will try running with OD on until I get in mountains or until tranny starts to shift up and down frequently.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by 1Motorhome

OD OFF. not tow haul. with OD off the RPM's turning about 3200 at 63 MPH.
Not where I want to be on a long haul.
I will try running with OD on until I get in mountains or until tranny starts to shift up and down frequently.

I only used OD Off on downhill runs, to keep the MPH down without hitting the brakes constantly.

[rffowler55]

We flat tow now but, originally, pulled a Stehl tow dolly and 2013 toyota corolla and the V10, with 362 HP, is more than adequate. You will be going slow up steep grades regardless of towing and will not see a great deal of difference with or without the toad. Even if you eventually go to flat-towing, you should not see much difference since the weight reduction from flat towing is only a couple of hundred pounds less than what you stated above.

[HarryStone]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Do you have " OD Off " or " Tow/Haul " printed on your shift handle.

Tow/Haul won't kill your gas mileage like running with 1 speed of your transmission locked out.

I have tow/haul. I've tried it both ways.