I have a 5 speed late '97 Sportage that I also use for towing our aluminium 16' boat. The total weight of the trailer and boat is 1650 lbs max. I have been towing the rig in 5th gear at 60mph and up to 65mph on a flat road and up gentle hills. Will towing this load in 5th gear harm the gearbox / transmission? I have been told I can damage the transmission doing this. It was also suggested that the noise made by the transmission indicates a problem that towing the boat in 5th gear will make worse. The transmission has always been noisy and seems to come from the rear of the car (the diff area??). The noise is a clunk type of sound that is heard only when changing gears. Will towing my boat actually damage the transmission when using 5th gear? Has anyone had problems doing this? Many thanks for your input.
Wedge
Wedge