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Towing Do's and Don'ts
Hi.
I have a '99 Isuzu Rodeo, V6, Automatic, 4wd.
It's Owner's manual lists it as being able to
tow upto 4500lbs.
In August, I have a trip planned to drive across
the country (Boston to Utah.) I am thinking
about pulling a small car (Hyundai Excel?? -
weighs less than 2200lbs.) with a tow dolly
from U-Haul (750lbs)
I know all this adds up to less than my trucks
capacity, but I'm concerned about the effects
of towing 10 or 12 hours a day for 4 or 5 days
straight. And I'm also concerned about hauling
the whole thing up and down the Rocky Mountains.
Anyone have any advice on things to do or not
do? ANy one have any routes through the mountains
that might be easier on my transmission?
I have a '99 Isuzu Rodeo, V6, Automatic, 4wd.
It's Owner's manual lists it as being able to
tow upto 4500lbs.
In August, I have a trip planned to drive across
the country (Boston to Utah.) I am thinking
about pulling a small car (Hyundai Excel?? -
weighs less than 2200lbs.) with a tow dolly
from U-Haul (750lbs)
I know all this adds up to less than my trucks
capacity, but I'm concerned about the effects
of towing 10 or 12 hours a day for 4 or 5 days
straight. And I'm also concerned about hauling
the whole thing up and down the Rocky Mountains.
Anyone have any advice on things to do or not
do? ANy one have any routes through the mountains
that might be easier on my transmission?
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Comments
It's my Girlfriend's car, and she moving to
Utah for School.
Thanks for the advice on the route. I was planning on using I-80 already, but it's nice to have someone else aggree with you.
I ggree that driving both might be cheaper and everything but.... I guess I"m not being very convincing. We are planning on driving both
when we get to any serious inclines.
Anyway, Should I do anything special like getting
the oil or transmission fluid changed more often?
Also I've read in other posts about towing that
I should use Drive and not OverDrive when pulling
a load. My Automatic transmission, while it is
a 4speed with OD, only has a Drive setting.
The next setting is 3 (then 2 then L.)
It also has a button for "power" mode which
the Owner's manual suggests using for pulling
trailers. Do you think that this button also
turns the over drive off? or should I only
use the 3 setting?
AS for my experience. I have towed a 1700lb boat
on a 700lb? trailer before with a V6 Automaitc
GMC Sonoma. Not 10 or 12 hours a day, but I have
pulled it on the highway.
I guess I'll make sure the AAA membership is all paid up too!
Someone else suggested to me that I have
U-Haul install a "towing package".
What exactly does that include? I ordered my truck
from the factory with the Class 3 hitch installed.
and the wiring harness plug is already right there
next to the hitch.
Is there anything else I need? I admit to being a
novice to all this... but at least I'm asking instead of just plowing ahead!
Wouldn't hurt to change tranny fluid after you tow.
I routinely pull a 5,000 lb trailer using a 4.8L motor over 10,000' passes.
Don't buy anything from Uhaul you don't need to...
Just expect poor mileage.
No problem with extended hours of towing, just let the motor spin fast in 3rd, much easier on all parts.
Wouldn't hurt to start the tow with synthetic oil in the Isuzu engine (I'd use 10W-30 M1), and maybe a fresh air filter....
This reminds me of my dear niece when she used an Explorer to tow a car from Dallas to Virginia for college. The exploder was never the same, and became just another trade in. My Brother has a Honda Passport. If I'm not mistaken, it's the same vehicle, very nice I might add...with something like a 3.0 L V6, very peppy. Still would not chance it myself. One thing I'm sure about, you won't have to worry about overdrive. As Mark said, put it in 3rd to keep it from shifting excessively, watch the temp, and don't get in a hurry and decide to wring it's neck with extended high rpms. I know how important it is to have the sweetheart's head on your shoulder during this trip....your tranny may never be the same though. Just my $0.02
My concern would be the radiator of the tow vehicle! When you are towing, you'll be burning from 50% to 100% more fuel. This generates heat. The heat is removed by the radiator. Your Isuzu is probably anemic in the radiator department. You probably should go to an independent radiator shop and have a radiator core installed with more vertical cooling columns. I had this done once and went from two columns to four for about $150. Worth every penny I might add.
Good luck,
Rich
I suppose I should refrain from using the AC then
huh?
1. Get your trans serviced before you go. A plain old drain servicing will probably suffice.
2. When you get there, get the trans serviced
again, but specifically ask that the trans be
flushed. If you just take it to any old place, a trans service to them means just draining it and maybe putting a new gasket on.
Call around a few shops and specifically ask if they have a flush machine. It's way better for your trans for it to be flushed once you get there. Flush machines are relatively new and not all shops have them so make sure to ask. Also, when they drop the pan, ask them to examine the
pan and the fluid for any shavings, parts etc. Just don't go to some in-and-out oil change shop that says they also service transmissions. Chances are they won't flush it.
The easiest way of doing it on something like an Excel if it is automatic is probably to get a dolly that will lift the front (drive) wheels off the ground.
Nothing wrong with a dolly.
Doubt you'll have overheating problems on a new vehicle if you run 3rd gear. I wouldn't do squat to a new vehicle's tranny (unless you add a cooler) before the tow, it's only after you tow that you should to an ATF change.
Quad - thanks for the drain info
1. Dolly's a good idea, particularly for handling.
2. Have your trans fluid changed and fileter cleaned before you leave.
3. Stay out of Overdrive!
4. Change your rear differential lube to synthetic.
Good luck!!
Thanks for the responses.
I have looked in to the Tranny cooler. I've
gotten prices ranging anywhere from 126 to
"about $400."
The dealer where I bought the truck definately
suggested installing it, but they wouldn't do
it (couldn't find the parts in the Isuzu parts
guide.)
The dealer where I'm having some work done this
week, Quoted me $220 for parts and labor, but
when I asked what this would do to my warranty,
said it would "probably void it if the cooler
could even remotely be responsible for the
failure."
Uhaul was the one who quoted me $126 installed.
$126 or $220 isn't really all that bad for
insurance against Trans mission failure...
but Having it cancle the warranty after only
a little over a year is a different story.
Seeing as how I'm pulling a load that is well
within the Trucks rated capacity, I would
think that any malfunction will be covered
by the warranty. Right?
So right now I'm leaning toward not getting
the Cooler put in. My only reservation is
if this trip does do some damage, but the
failure doesn't rear it's ugly head until
after the warranty expires... Oh well...
Life is always a risk.
Also the more I dig the more I think the
Transmission fluid is already getting
pumped through the real radiator along with
the engine coolant. (separate tubes I assume
and the dash does have an ATF temp. warning
light. I think I'll just keep my eye on that,
and stop if it ever comes on.
Thanks again for every one's help.
this topic is being "frozen." It will be archived or deleted in the next 10 days or so.
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