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Kickstart View Drop Down
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Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Location: Ocean Shores, W
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Posts: 267 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: new member
    Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 6:53pm
Agreed, my shocks aren't anything to write home about either. I've also used Rancho shocks and Eddelbrocks w/past trucks and been satisfied. I've installed a TRD rear bar, but I don't drive/tow aggressively enough to notice much difference. My WDH is a help with firming up tow performance. Previous to the Tundra, I towed the Pod with a TRD Tacoma, and it was also pretty lightly sprung in the rear. Hope the Ranchos do well for ya. Let me know how that works out, as I may be interested in biting that bullet, too.
'10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL
'12 Toyota Tundra
'05 Sportster (half a Harley)
Retired-We're on Beach Time!
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chiman View Drop Down
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Joined: 03 Dec 2013
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Posts: 44 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 6:02pm
Hi Kickstart--

I have visited the sites in the past which you suggested.  Read lots on the towing with a 4.6 and other items.  Lots of opinions like all forum sites.  My tow haul seems to work just fine.  The only time I have seen it perhaps shift into sixth is going down hill when there is really not much of a load on the truck when towing.  The rest of the time is is mainly in 5th gear unless going up hills and then it will shift down to the right gear.  I have tried using the manual or S mode when towing and with the tow haul switch off.  Didn't really see much difference at all.  Even if you place it in 5th gear it will still downshift to next lower gear by itself for example as it starts up a hill and so on.  Perhaps I am missing something but really don't see the advantages.

As to the trans gauge; mine does move up some from its normal setting when I am climbing hills with the trailer, but has never gotten in the range you suggest or the warning light going off.  If yours never moves at all when towing up hills (beyond the normal mark) then you might want to have it checked out as mine does move.

Right now I am looking for some shocks to help stiffen up the suspension (especially the rear).  I do not have the TRD package so the stock shocks don't handle the trailer going over rolling pavement or bumps the way I want.

Rphelps
2017 180 "Frog" towed by 2017 Toyota Tacoma with co-pilot "Willow" a 80 lb Labradoodle
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Kickstart View Drop Down
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Joined: 20 Sep 2010
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Posts: 267 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 12:14pm
Originally posted by chiman



Thanks to all for the welcome.Kickstart  --  Boy is it cold here this morning.  20 degrees in McMinnville Oregon.  My Tundra has the tow pack which includes the tow haul switch which I turn on when towing.  I believe it locks out sixth gear and keeps the engine in the right range under all conditions.  Seems to work well.  I also have the factory trans temp gauge and it never has moved off its normal range.I have had several back operations and really don't like the heavy stinger if one uses a WDH and see no need for one with the truck.  The only mod I am looking at for the truck is a set of better shocks to tighten up the suspension more.  Looking at the Rancho brand shocks.Love the trailer and looking forward to some camping and fishing when this cold spell breaks and we get a little rain.  I fly fish for steelhead and right now we need some rain to bring the fish into the coastal rivers.  Won't be long before I turn 69 years old so the old joints get a little colder than they used to but still out there wading the rivers in search of the steelies!Perhaps we might meet some day.Rphelps



Boy, do you live in a super little town. My sister in law lives there also. There's nothin' like a small college town! I want to return and Spruce Goose it some day.

For specific 4.6 towing stuff, you might want to visit Tundratalk.net and Tundrasolutions.com. I've learned lots at these sites. Also 6th does not lock out in Tow/haul. I have T/H, too. It does only come into play in foothills and rollers, though, for the most part. The trans temp gauge will slowly raise until it reaches normal operating temps of 185 to 195 degrees, and then not move until it reaches in excess of 260 degrees when the red over temp light would also blink on. This makes the trans temp gauge little more than a fancy idiot light. Many vehicles have this dubious gauge set up this way.

At 69, we're the same age. Remember what Betty Davis said. "Growing old isn't for wimps." Sorry, don't wanna sound pushy with the 4.6 stuff. Just lettin' ya know what's worked for me. Pods & Tundra 4.6's are really a great tow combo! Have fun!
'10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL
'12 Toyota Tundra
'05 Sportster (half a Harley)
Retired-We're on Beach Time!
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hogone View Drop Down
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Posts: 1042 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 11:43am
well at least you get to ice fish!!!!!
Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
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2017 HD Streetglide
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marwayne View Drop Down
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Posts: 1002 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 11:26am
Cold? Our high temp for today is -15 F and getting colder.
If you want something done right, do it yourself.
2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.


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chiman View Drop Down
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Joined: 03 Dec 2013
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Posts: 44 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 10:11am
Thanks to all for the welcome.

Kickstart  --  Boy is it cold here this morning.  20 degrees in McMinnville Oregon. 

My Tundra has the tow pack which includes the tow haul switch which I turn on when towing.  I believe it locks out sixth gear and keeps the engine in the right range under all conditions.  Seems to work well.  I also have the factory trans temp gauge and it never has moved off its normal range.

I have had several back operations and really don't like the heavy stinger if one uses a WDH and see no need for one with the truck.  The only mod I am looking at for the truck is a set of better shocks to tighten up the suspension more.  Looking at the Rancho brand shocks.

Love the trailer and looking forward to some camping and fishing when this cold spell breaks and we get a little rain.  I fly fish for steelhead and right now we need some rain to bring the fish into the coastal rivers.  Won't be long before I turn 69 years old so the old joints get a little colder than they used to but still out there wading the rivers in search of the steelies!

Perhaps we might meet some day.

Rphelps
2017 180 "Frog" towed by 2017 Toyota Tacoma with co-pilot "Willow" a 80 lb Labradoodle
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Kickstart View Drop Down
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Joined: 20 Sep 2010
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Posts: 267 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 9:00am
Welcome chiman. I'm just north of ya in WA State, and also tow with a 4.6 Tundra. It's a super match. Our PNW is not an easy towing area, but our lil' 4.6's handle it great. I've hand figured nearly every tank of gas for the last 52 years, and towed 5 different Travel trailers with the longest being 22'. Some complain about Pod mpg, but our Pod and 4.6 Tundra have given us the best mpg of any of our towing combos.

FYI When towing, I pull with 6th locked out, usually in 5th, but often in 4th when pulling elevation. This really eases torque converter lock and unlock, and according to my ScanGauge helps control transmission temperature fluctuations.

Feel free to ask if you have any questions about our towing combo, as we have a lot of trips in, under a variety of conditions.
'10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL
'12 Toyota Tundra
'05 Sportster (half a Harley)
Retired-We're on Beach Time!
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Camper Bob View Drop Down
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Joined: 26 Sep 2011
Location: Portland Oregon
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Posts: 913 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 8:43am
Welcome. Look for our Roundup next year. Safe Travels.
Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund)
2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod)
2016 Lance 1685
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Seanl View Drop Down
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Joined: 19 Sep 2011
Location: Fredericton NB
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Posts: 633 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Dec 2013 at 8:12am
Welcome to the forum.
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2013 at 9:33pm
Welcome.  Back to the Future pod-style.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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