Toyota Previa GX 96 - OverDrive - Towing

[malcuk]

My previa is a UK petrol 2.4 auto GX.

We are about to go away for a few weeks to Devon , Cornwall, towing an 18ft caravan.

I am a novice at this and have towed only once before, and I want to be certain of the following.

When towing in the owners manual it says to turn the overdrive off.

Is this right ?

Is there any time when towing that the overdrive is left on ?

Also when towing, is it ok to use the Cruise control on long stretches of road ?

Thanks for your time

[malcuk]

am off tomorrow, so methinks will leave OD off )

[guyver]

if your on a motorway cruising then you can leave the o-d on its only when going up hills it will struggle so then turn it off, well thats what i used to do................... and yes the cruise control is a good idea when towing keeps you at a nice steady speed and when towing could save you a bit on fuel...

[mr mince]

Aye a bit late I know (been working daft hours recently) in my first bus most of the time I had mine off when towing the caravan the bus always felt like it was protesting slightly when towing.
On my second bus there was a great button on the old 3ct engine Esti called ect. Was meant to be a "sport" button but it was great for towing as it kept the engine a gear lower than normal for until the revs were a good bit higher, meant that you could tow up almost anything apart from the worst hills without taking overdrive off.

[malcuk]

ah, well am back now, thanks for the replies, I decided in the end to drive with the OD off, and am glad to say we made it there and back with no problems at all, 896 miles in all, towing the caravan, costly fuel wise, but well worth the trip, thanks all