Best Gear For Towing | 200 Series plus Network RV Van

In this video I test the debate of which gear is best to select for towing?? Manual mode? Drive? S4? S5??
Let's see what the car does when put in different modes and how it reacts. Which gear will be best for fuel economy and engine/transmission temperatures and longevity??
As always, don't forget to Like, Share and Subscribe to keep up to date with our travels and see our weekly videos. Also follow us on the socials @ DucruznOZ to see more current news.

[@mightymike9353]

Didn’t know this, will give this a go next time towing the van. Awesome share, thanks.

[@DucruznOZ]

No worries mate, just an opinion for my setup 👌👌🍻🍻

[@michaelcameron8904]

Thanks for the video and information. Much appreciated. Have 200 and have sub. Bravo from Victoria Australia

[@DucruznOZ]

No dramas mate, glad to help 🍻

[@stevegoodwin5841]

Correct. 4th 1:1 and highest torque. Cooler for engine and exhaust temps. Dyno shows exactly the same. Heavy towing 1:1 is the go.

[@DucruznOZ]

Absolutely, lots of kms and boring trips have made me test a lot of things ,ha ha

[@MudducksTouringAustralia]

Good stuff mate, I have a 200 and am getting a van so all good info. Cheers Steve

[@DucruznOZ]

All good mate, safe travels 🍻🍻

[@carl.colleen.rover.adventures]

Great visual explanation of 4th vs 5th. I always tow in 4th with my 100 HDJ cruiser might compare it with S4 (power button engaged)

[@DucruznOZ]

Thanks mate, shows you how bored I get when driving for long stretches ha ha 🍻🍻

[@garydavy4722]

I've found the same with my setup, GCM 6.8tn. Mainly S4 but sometimes S5 if good wind and road. Normal for my engine temp and trans temp to drop by 6-10deg when dropping back to S4.

[@DucruznOZ]

It is amazing the difference isn't it 🍻🍻

[@raymondpaulet1683]

Hi Marc, I drive a 105 series Land Cruiser with a 4.5 litre petrol six cylinder and tow a 2900 kg caravan - driving with premium 98 fuel - driving out of overdrive and sitting on 85-90 kmh we get the best economy - around the 23.5lt/100 - I have got below that number but this is the average, no modifications to the vehicle - stock - I totally agree ease speed on driving gives you better engine performance and cool running gear overall - excellent video too - all the best and safe travels 👍😁

[@DucruznOZ]

Mate that is pretty good out of a 1FZ, completely agree with driving to conditions.... just don't wanna be "that guy" who holds everyone up ha ha

[@kevinkitchen3351]

Totally agree. I run a ScanGuage on my LC200 & tow a fair size rig. I found 80-90km/h in S4th gear does the job well. I find the trans temp & engine temps are much lower in fourth. If you feel popping it into S5 on a slight descent helps you'd be wrong. The engine RPM drops & it sounds calmer but the trans temp with rise rapidly. My advise too is tow the big girl in S4, 80-90 km/h and enjoy the scenery and the drive. PS like the channel, keep up with the down to earth, no frills info. Cheers

[@DucruznOZ]

Thanks so much for the support, we try to keep it realistic :) absolutely agree with you with the gear selection, i can even get to 100km/hr now i have ditched a fair amount of weight out of the van and car.... amazing how they work with trans temps etc..... take care :)

[@ausguy4385]

That's because in 4th above 80 the TC is locked... unless your over 95 to 100 in 5th your unlocked. That's is unless you have a lock up kit

[@DucruznOZ]

@@ausguy4385 we have a trans tune so it kicks in at 82km ;) we have since unloaded a fair amount of junk from the van and can sit on 100km no worries, still in 4th and still getting better economy and temps than 5th gear too....

[@michaelnelson912]

Interesting comparison, thanks! I had the opposite experience with mine. I used to dutifully tow in S4 because that's what the manual said. I was towing a 2.5t van at highway speeds. One day I decided to try S5 to see what happened, and my fuel consumption dropped significantly (measured both with Scangauge and calculated from filling up). I've been using S5 ever since with boats, car trailers, camper, etc. As you said, it can be different for other people's setup.

[@DucruznOZ]

Wow that is awesome, are u driving it over 100km/hr ?? I suppose the faster u go the higher the gear wouldn't be too bad 💪💪

[@michaelnelson912]

I tend to just drive at the speed limit. 100 or 110 on freeways. That might be the difference, slightly faster speed.

[@DucruznOZ]

@@michaelnelson912 totally, I found at 100 (wa limit) in 5th she was getting hot and not performing at all.... if I could go 110 I reckon it would be a different story....

[@ausguy4385]

You would be fast enough at 100 to 110 to have the factory lock up of TC happen that's why.

[@DucruznOZ]

@@ausguy4385 totally, was more about keeping it in a gear than just driving in D.... 😎😎

[@sarinsarin7898]

Makes sense, i used to tow in 5th because i like alot of other people thought lower revs = less strain on everything. How wrong i am. Now i can monitor trans,torque, coolant temps amoungst others, i will be towing in 4th from now on. I own a petrol v6 120 and i love it. So reliable for my purpose (as long as you keep up the maintance) which is few and far between. Plus i have ordered a stocklock lockup kit, cant wait.

[@DucruznOZ]

Great stuff 👌 how good is the ultra gauge for checking the vitals 👌💪🍻

[@sarinsarin7898]

@@DucruznOZ well i actually bought a 327 scan guage unit off fleebay for $60 and hasnt missed a beat and its linked with the torque pro app, awesome combo for what it is and works well together. I can read a heap of sensors.

[@DucruznOZ]

@@sarinsarin7898 That is awesome, so much cheaper than a ultra gauge.... mine came with the car so i just left it as is, ha ha

[@chrisnunns9652]

Very helpful information. Given you are towing a large load, have you added anything to assist your transmission (cooler, lock up etc?)

[@DucruznOZ]

Cheers mate, yes I have also installed an extra trans cooler (they come standard with a tiny one) which I have done a video for.... I also have a full ecm and tcm tune which incorporates the trans lock-up so I don't have to do anything 👌👌

[@annettemay5743]

Thanks for that Marc, something I've been alittle worried about. I couldn't tow a heavy load with out knowing Trans outlet temp. But I noticed your trans temp was lower than eng Temp, was that because you have bypass the eng water cooler and gone straight air cooler? To many people don't relieze what the trans is doing let alone EGT also, gee was that climbing. Great vid marc keep them coming. Only got the Ranger but they can all suffer from Hight Temps.

[@DucruznOZ]

Thanks Annette, cooling system is completely stock. Just shows that when the converter is locked and not hunting it keeps the temps down very low.... today I drove in about 23°c temps and the eng was at 81 and the trans around 59 and that was towing for around 45 mins to an hour ;)

[@marcreissenweber7835]

Great info. Thanks. I generally use S5 @ 100km/hr (2000rpm) towing 3500kg caravan (depending on road conditions) with trans remap, extreme valve body, cooler, lock up torque converter. My temps and pressures @ S5 are very similar to yours at S4. Engine load higher tho @ around 55. Put it in S6 tho and it all goes out the window. S4 would definitely be easier but not sure the extra 500rpm would be more efficient. I’ll give this a go. Wind makes a huge difference; head wind = 24l/100km v tail wind = 18l/100km on same stretch of road on different days. Nice comparison. Thanks for sharing.

[@DucruznOZ]

Wow you definitely have a great setup for towing 💪💪 it is amazing how far in depth you can go when travelling long, boring stretches of road, ha ha... take care 🍻🍻

[@glennlarnach5764]

Hi Marc just a question on the install video on the pwr trans cooler what sort of temperature drops did you see after install

[@DucruznOZ]

Hey mate, overall around the 10-15°c while towing so fairly reasonable 💪💪🍻🍻

[@chrisjames4092]

Hi Marc, Great video, how did you get the egts to read on the ultraguage? I only have the scan gauge but would like egts, other vehicle has separate gauge for egts, I would like it all on 1 gauge. Cheers Chris

[@DucruznOZ]

Cheers Chris, it is just one of many parameters that you can select on the ultra gauge. i have had a few people say you can just get a obd2 connector and blue tooth it to your phone with an app that reads all of the engine data... could be an option??

[@XploringOz]

Nice vid mate 👍 there’s a big misconception that driving in a high gear at lower RPM is better, but we both know that’s not the case. Keep them coming 🍻

[@DucruznOZ]

Thanks mate, its funny how many people laugh at you when you tell them that, having the facts is a great tool ha ha 🍻🍻

[@XploringOz]

@@DucruznOZ Yeah, the power of social media education. Everyone knows 'the answer'. It's funny I was actually planning a video on this topic for the new year too.

[@DucruznOZ]

Well knowing u mate it will be way more educational, thought out and better filmed/edited.... ha ha I just warmed them up for ya 🍻

[@adrianbettio6649]

@@XploringOz do the video anyway please. Still be worth the watch and making the comparison

[@scottbateman3849]

Can you do mini video on the ultragauge how it's installed and where to get one?

[@DucruznOZ]

Installed into the obd2 port and can get them online from ultragaugeaustralia.com.au ;)

[@bradworthington8594]

Great vid, typical fellow mechanic we spend our diving constantly checking gauges 🤣🤣. What bank is the EGT reading Bank1 or Bank2? Are you reading Auto Pan temp or Torque converter temp?

[@DucruznOZ]

Ha ha, it is a curse that's for sure... couldn't tell you which bank or whether pan or converter.... just comes up as EGT and Trans temp on the ultra gauge...

[@pen1910]

just completed 13,000k trip. s3 at 65kph, s4 at 95kph and s5 at 105kph. fuel economy, egr, water and transmission temperatures near enough to exactly the same. yes you can tow at 110kph in SA and 130kph in NT so no laws were broken. fuel also measured at bowser not dash

[@DucruznOZ]

Great stuff 💪💪 I was back up to 100kph when we got rid of a lot of junk out of the van 🤣🤣 130kph would be good in NT if the roads were better🤢 safe travels mate 🍻

[@davidhall5844]

In 4th the torque converter wouldn’t engage lock-up though would it? I thought it only locks in 5th or 6th. I tow pretty much the same rig as you. I find 96-98 kph (by the speedo, I suspect it is actually slower than that) locks the TC, revs drop by about 400 rpm to approx 1,800 and the whole rigs sits nicely on most roads at that speed. Because I never get above 100 kph 6th gear does not engage, so I’m towing in 5th. Fuel consumption is 16-17 l/100kms (again by the gauge but I believe that it is reading about 2-3 l/100kms under reality, with flat road-no tail/head wind). 7,100 kilos all up. LC has a tune & exhaust. I find no hunting, overheating.

[@DucruznOZ]

Yeah the TC locks in 4th. Toyota speed's are definitely slower than what is on the gauge so 96 is most likely 90. I was mainly going by what my engine/trans tuner recommend as he has been in the industry for 32 years doing tunes etc. Either way, is a good comparison 💪💪

[@adrianbettio6649]

Good video mate. How difficult is it to set up the ultra gauge? Does the engine tune throw it out?

[@DucruznOZ]

cheers mate, setup takes about 1 minute, just plugs into OBDII port and turns on with ignition/car running. then you can just set it up to show what ever parameters you are after. it purely reads what the ECM/TCM is giving out so tune or no tune it will still just show you the outputs :)

[@biglap.australia]

Thanks for sharing. I drive a 2021 Dmax towing a 21ft caravan. I sit on 90kmh, change the oil every 7500kms and just take it easy when hill climbing. 18months/ 50000kms on the road we have had no issues. I wonder if some caravaners push their cars too hard? On the Stuart highway I’ve had caravaners towing big vans blast past me. A policeman once told me there is no law stating how fast you can drive and long as it’s under the speed limit. I try and use the UHF when a truck comes up behind me. Sometimes they are courteous when they want to pass. Other times it’s the four letter word reply. Especially up here in North Queensland. Wow.

[@DucruznOZ]

That's right, drive to your limits and make sure u let the big rigs through as much as you can.... I think anything under 20km the limit they can start pinging you for obstructing traffic flow, but seems like u are doing all the right things 🍻🍻

[@biglap.australia]

@@DucruznOZ that copper was wrong! According to the Royal Automobile Association, if you're driving excessively slowly you could be in breach of Australian Road Rule 125, which states that drivers must not unreasonably obstruct the path of another vehicle. This isn't directly related to driving slowly but the rule does cover driving so slowly that you're obstructing others. There's some wriggle room as to how this law is applied but a clear cut example for all states in Australia, given by the RAA (and seconded by the New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services website), is driving 20 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. Driving that slowly would clearly be considered abnormal. Ok I think we are safe driving 90kmh in a 110kmh zone.

[@DucruznOZ]

@@biglap.australia totally agree, it is up to the discretion of the copper i suppose, like wge I got done for the fishing rod holders, ha ha... yes they are illegal on there but only some cops will care... either way, most people smoking are just jealous they aren't travelling, ha ha

[@TrevorBoyd-ni6yi]

Thanks Marc for a great video. Just like to know if your happy with the engine and transmission remap. I did see one comment you made that the lock up clutch unlocks often and is a bit annoying. If you had your time again would you install a lock up box ? Regards Trev

[@DucruznOZ]

Cheers for the feedback mate 🍻 I actually has the lockup box before the remap and it used to annoy me especially if u forgot it was on (was an older one that wasn't automatically turned off) and the car would almost stall when coming to a stop... had to quickly switch it off before it stalled 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ can say now after travelling over 70,000kms with the van we couldn't be happier with the tune 👌👌 getting an extra cooler is also worth the cost 💪

[@TrevorBoyd-ni6yi]

Thanks for the reply Marc Can you please tell what your fuel economy is when towing your van fully loaded and when your not towing and empty both around town and on the highway Regards Trev

[@DucruznOZ]

@@TrevorBoyd-ni6yi fully loaded we would get around 22l/100kms and that was doing 100km/hr highway stuff.... obviously it would fluctuate with hills and elevation etc.... unloaded would get around the 15l mark.... we are heavy with drawers, long range tank, bar work, awning, hi lift jack etc... so it could be lower if we were as loaded ;)

[@TrevorBoyd-ni6yi]

Thanks for info really appreciate it Regards Trev

[@tainbartholomew]

Great vid mate. Do you always have the ect pwr button on while towing?

[@DucruznOZ]

Thanks mate, yeah I always have it on... it only really changes the throttle response and shift point of the trans, but I feel it makes it easier to get up to speed from stopped 🍻🍻

[@tainbartholomew]

@@DucruznOZ 100% just did about 300km this morning so much better to tow with.

[@DucruznOZ]

@@tainbartholomew ha ha good stuff mate 💪💪

[@drewocexplorer]

Does this mean there is not as much need to get a torque converter lockup kit then if driving in S4 (or would it only help not go down to 3rd? if above 80km/hr). I have a 2008 GXL and will have a 3.5 t Network RV going around Australia. Just weighing up if the cost of a TCL kit is worth it then (obviously not towing it would be helpful at the higher speeds).

[@DucruznOZ]

Definitely worth getting either a tune or a lock up kit.... I went the tune, but it was done in combination with an ecm tune... pretty much means I don't have to.do anything, it is all.automatic.ror the speed u r travelling, no need for switching anything in the cab.... even in s4 it will still lock and unlock the converter while cruising along, quite annoying actually 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ had no dramas with ours at all in 18 months of full time towing 💪💪

[@MrManyon1]

Hi can you tell me what model 200 series you have? The EGT readout on the Ultraguage is handy but I was told it won't work on my 2014 Sahara. Need to go aftermarket. Thanks.

[@DucruznOZ]

Hey mate, mine is a 2016 model. It has DPF and i think that is the reason why as it uses sensors to tell the ecm when it needs to do a burn for regeneration. If it is pre-facelift then a bung will need to be welded into the exhaust and dedicated pyro for accurate temp readings :( jump over to @XploringOZ as Nathan has done that to his 200 (pre-facelift model) :)

[@ausguy4385]

Notice your DTE is insane 😅 be nice. They told me was a freak glitch but it's never happened before... you have it like many so must be a actual glitch... If you do a reset all the settings reset but the custom g gauges remains. Just need to add engine size and tank size and do tank recalibration.

[@DucruznOZ]

Ha ha, yeah 8 never reset the DTE so that's why.... plus I have a 270 litre tank so all my DTE guages are wrong 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ after almost 2 years and.80,000kms I just know how much fuel I have left ha ha

[@paulchaseling9154]

Hey Marc great vid especially for someone like myself who will have a very similar setup and weights to yours when I get the new van in March. Is a 7 - 7.2T setup going to work the 200 to much without an ecu tune and is a trans tune required if it's more efficient running in 4th when under load? Thanks mate, Paul

[@DucruznOZ]

Cheers Paul, bet you can't wait to get it ;) ideally I would do a ecm/tcm tune as a minimum. The Toyota boxes are tuned for petrol so I've been told so they always jump around with the gears, that's why I got mine tuned.... is definitely worth it, just don't go for the manual switch to lock the converter, do it right the first time and get it tuned ;)

[@paulchaseling9154]

@@DucruznOZ thanks Marc your feedback is much appreciated. Cheers

[@paulchaseling9154]

@@DucruznOZ Hey Marc I'm looking into tuning my cruiser after your feedback. One extra question, are you running intercooler fans as apart of your upgrade? If so can you hear them from inside the cab. Thanks Paul

[@DucruznOZ]

@@paulchaseling9154 good stuff mate, u will love the difference. I haven't had anything done to the coolers and it runs fine... check out this video from a mate of mine and he runs through the pro's and con's of intercooler fans... kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHmtk4WLeauSp80

[@paulchaseling9154]

@@DucruznOZ Sorry for the late reply Marc. Yeah I subscribe to Nathan's channel as well. He is very thorough in what he reviews. His review lead to me asking you about the fans. Thanks for the feedback this will save me $1400 now as my setup and driving style will be similar to yours. Cheers 👍

[@11385djg]

What's your actual fuel consumption (L/100km) when towing? I know it's 21.5L/100km as shown in the video but it may not be your average as you could have just reseted your fuel consumption gauge. Thanks.

[@DucruznOZ]

Hey mate, the last time I reset that was when I first started towing the van about 5 months ago ;) so pretty much sits around the 21 litre mark 👌👌

[@barneyhartas7931]

Hey mate, so in 5th gear the revs were lower than in 4th so would you chew more fuel in 4th. Might add I know nothing about mechanics stuff 🤦‍♂️

[@DucruznOZ]

Ha ha, at least ur honest 😎 it's all about torque and the right rev range.... just because it has lower revs doesn't mean it is necessarily going to be better fuel economy.... depends on load etc... was just a good example of what mine does, each car is probably different ;)

[@Sabumnim666]

So your one of those guys well i sit on 93km/hr as does my work mate and the economy is usually about 14.5 l per hundred my van and car are usually 5800kg I have the ultra gauge and have found leaving the trans in auto works the best for my Ranger bi turbo 10 speed all standard aprt from a catch can.

[@DucruznOZ]

I now sit at around 100 now I have lightened my load 😎😎 just be careful with the 10 spd, have had a few mates blow em up towing big vans... don't really know if ur comment is asking anything either... happy travels

[@Sabumnim666]

The 10 speeds have been very durable the 6 speeds have had the issues there was a remapping done on the earlier releases back in 2019 to 2020 but sine then nothing has been outstanding in the way of faults. A young bloke at work early thirties has a fully tricked LC200 and has had it in limp mode at least 3 times that i know of due to the trans overheating and he only tows a camper. @@DucruznOZ

[@DucruznOZ]

@@Sabumnim666 great stuff, suppose every car has their pro's and con's.... just speaking from what I have experienced and come across in our travels ;)

[@Sabumnim666]

@@DucruznOZ ditto

[@garymatthews7363]

Hi & I also like many others tow a 2.5T van with my LC200 & still getting used to it , only done 3 trips so far. What’s your opinion on the sequential M4 mode that still jumps from 432 234 when going up hills , compared to just leaving it in auto D ? Previous vehicles I’ve had could be locked in manual 3 & just go stead up hills which is different to our Sequential sports mode.

[@DucruznOZ]

This is here the trans/ecm tune comes into play, mine stays pretty much locked in 4th unless it is a really steep incline... I found it would jump around more leaving it in D but I suppose there is no right answer..... just do what works best for ur situation 💪💪

[@roscoewheeler3634]

What gvm upgrade are you running? Thanks

[@DucruznOZ]

It is a Lovell's 4T GVM upgrade, was on the car when we purchased it 😎

[@w.bridges9118]

So do I an I am a retired truckie 90 klms is just fine

[@DucruznOZ]

Thanks mate since lightening my van I can now do 100km with the same result ;)

[@mattsloan380]

When u say same result are u still towing is s4 at 100km/hr? I’m waiting on a scangauge 3. Have a tune on the 200 plus a lock up kit. Interested to compare next time I have the van on the back Great vid

[@davidbowley2072]

What lock-up kit did you buy brother?

[@DucruznOZ]

It is a trans tune done at the same time as the ecm tune... no kit needed it does it all automatically 👌👌 street quick performance in Perth did the tune 😎😎

[@davidbowley2072]

@@DucruznOZ funny mine was all done by SQP as well so your ultra gauge shows the lock up turning on and off. I have a scan gauge II but will have to invest in the ultra gauge now haha .

[@DucruznOZ]

@@davidbowley2072 ha ha, definitely a worthwhile investment... it also acts as a scan tool too as you can clear codes etc 😎😎

[@davidbowley2072]

@@DucruznOZ Once you programmed in the lockup on the ultra gauge was there any problems showing up on it, did it read it easy. As I asked john from SQP that i wanted something to show me that it's on for piece of mind not having to look at the rpm all the time Cheers.

[@DucruznOZ]

@@davidbowley2072 yeah mate, just selceted it as one of the gauges and it goes 0 = not locked and 1 = locked ;) no dramas at all 👌