Forum Discussion
j-d
Sep 16, 2013Explorer II
Went through this when we bought our 2009 Frontier. It's the base model. XE, 2WD, 4-cyl, 5-speed manual. I can get the owner's manual in awhile, but it sounds like yours is like ours. Tow in Neutral, stop every few hours and run engine in neutral. I don't recall a towing speed limitation. We looked at Frontier, Tacoma, and Ranger. Frontier had a distance rule to stop and run the engine, Ranger had that AND a towed speed limitation (which wasn't all that limiting), and Tacoma didn't recommend towing.
If I had to guess, the Frontier's transmission, and proably others, maybe Ranger, don't lube the transmission when being towed. Or at least not well, but the lubricant stays in place well enough to run a few hunred miles then re-lube by driving the truck or running engine in neutral.
I actually liked Frontier first, Ranger second, and Tacoma third. I'd expected Tacoma to be the best all around. Two problems with Frontier. Wide turning circle, and heavier than expected. Ranger was cute, tight turning, freezing cold A/C, but uncomfortable seats, hard ride and complex option choices to get what I wanted. I'm a Toyota fan, but Tacoma didn't impress me and the towing exclusion cut it out anyhow. I wasn't sorry. Frontier has a great ride and it's quiet.
If I had to guess, the Frontier's transmission, and proably others, maybe Ranger, don't lube the transmission when being towed. Or at least not well, but the lubricant stays in place well enough to run a few hunred miles then re-lube by driving the truck or running engine in neutral.
I actually liked Frontier first, Ranger second, and Tacoma third. I'd expected Tacoma to be the best all around. Two problems with Frontier. Wide turning circle, and heavier than expected. Ranger was cute, tight turning, freezing cold A/C, but uncomfortable seats, hard ride and complex option choices to get what I wanted. I'm a Toyota fan, but Tacoma didn't impress me and the towing exclusion cut it out anyhow. I wasn't sorry. Frontier has a great ride and it's quiet.
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