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Old 03-15-2015, 08:05 PM   #1
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Tips on towing in Mountains

I am looking to make a trip north this year. I have a automatic f250 with a 6.7 and a travel trailer that weighs maybe 7000 to 7500. What gear should I be driving in going up hill vs downhill. Should I be in auto or manual? Should I lock out any gears? I am in Louisiana so the steepest grade I ever see is going up and down a bridge over the Mississippi so just looking for some general advice. I know I have plenty of truck to handle it I just don't wanna mess anything up or burn up any brakes. Thanks for the help.

TL
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Old 03-15-2015, 08:35 PM   #2
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Activate the Tow/Haul Mode on your truck and let the tranny do it for you. You will love the engine braking on the downhill portions. I seriously doubt you will have any problems with uphill or downhill with your TV and TT.
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Old 03-15-2015, 09:18 PM   #3
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Is the tow/haul mode for just hills or for use whenever towing? I have the engine exhaust brake feature on my 2015 F250 6.7, have yet to take first trip.
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Old 03-15-2015, 09:37 PM   #4
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I have the same truck, but a 2011. I pull about 9000k loaded in regular mode, and put it in towhaul in town or in hilly terrain. The 6.7 with 6 speed is designed for towing, your 7500 lbs can't hurt it if you drive normally.
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Old 03-15-2015, 09:55 PM   #5
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Use the tow haul mode any time you tow. Take it slow and easy. Use your engine instead of your brakes. A good rule of thumb is come down the mountain in the gear you went up it in. That said, your diesel will handle that trailer in the mountains like a champ
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Old 03-16-2015, 08:32 AM   #6
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Like others have said use the tow/haul mode and let the powertrain do the work. One thing that I do when towing is I do watch my EGT"S and Boost pressure and the engine rpm's and lock out 6th gear as need in the mountains.


Also as the truckers that I have talked too they state whatever gear you go up in is the same gear you go down with. Do not shift gears on the downhill side.
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Old 03-16-2015, 11:12 AM   #7
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Jim,

So really all I need to do is go up in tow/haul and maybe lock out 6th gear. On the downside just do the same and I should I be good. The engine and transmission should do the rest.

TL


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Old 03-16-2015, 11:27 AM   #8
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With your Ford powertrain you should be fine just using tow/haul mode. The owners manual that came with your truck will explain the tow/haul feature and how to use it. Do yourself a big favor and read it.

I have a 2010 Ford 6.4 diesel and when towing the computer and transmission take care of everything for me, including mountain grades. Use tow/haul mode all the time, and every time, you tow.
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Old 03-16-2015, 12:44 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by mlwilliams808 View Post
Is the tow/haul mode for just hills or for use whenever towing? I have the engine exhaust brake feature on my 2015 F250 6.7, have yet to take first trip.
Use the tow/haul all time when towing. Set the cruise and the other thing you need to do is set your inside rear view mirror where you can check and make sure the trailer is still behind you. That is one awesome tow vehicle. In fact all the newer diesels do a good job. That is one thing competition is good for.
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Old 03-16-2015, 02:30 PM   #10
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towing in mountains

I generally use tile mode anytime I'm towing, and since I live in Pennsylvania is very seldom that I'm not fooling some type of Hill. if you happen to have any kind of custom exhaust on your truck you will love the downshifts In tow mode, makes them pipes sound real good.
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Old 03-16-2015, 02:37 PM   #11
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You don't need to lock out 6th with that size of a load on. Your rig won't hardly break a sweat with 9k.
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Old 03-16-2015, 02:51 PM   #12
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Do anyone have any exp towing with Tundra with tow/haul mode? Does the above also apply to a 1/2 ton gasser? Going over Rockies with a 30 ft TT this summer.
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Old 03-16-2015, 02:56 PM   #13
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Do anyone have any exp towing with Tundra with tow/haul mode? Does the above also apply to a 1/2 ton gasser? Going over Rockies with a 30 ft TT this summer.
It should, but I would be curious how much weight your pulling. Most 30' TT's might be a bit much for a 1/2 tonner.
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Old 03-16-2015, 03:03 PM   #14
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It's a rockwood 2608ws. Actually 27 is the overall length and 6700# is the weight rating if I recall
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Old 03-16-2015, 03:11 PM   #15
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Cirrection:::just read overall length is 29' and change
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Old 03-16-2015, 03:13 PM   #16
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I'm pulling 31' 7500 lbs. I use tow mode in the hills. Highest point tow at yet was 8000' into flagstaff and didn't waiver one bit but I am also running with AFE intake and TRD exhaust so definitely breathing much better.

Should be fine.


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Old 03-16-2015, 03:14 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by robbdrell View Post
Do anyone have any exp towing with Tundra with tow/haul mode? Does the above also apply to a 1/2 ton gasser? Going over Rockies with a 30 ft TT this summer.
Your gasser will not have the compression ratio as a diesel so before you start to drop of a hill slow down just a bit.

Tundra 5.7l @ 10.3:1

Ford 6.7l @ 16.2:1

Just take it at a speed you feel comfortable with, pay attention to the suggested down hill speed.
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Old 03-16-2015, 03:19 PM   #18
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You should be fine.. As mentioned, take it real slow heading down and I would probably set my brake controller a little on the heavy side.
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Old 03-16-2015, 03:29 PM   #19
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I go up the mountains in 2nd or 3rd and manually shift into 3rd on the way down and try to keep my hand close to the trailer manual brake lever. I also limit engine to 3500 rpm going up regardless of whatever speed that is.
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Old 03-16-2015, 04:08 PM   #20
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I disagree with some of you; uphill, I prefer to manually shift down to a gear low enough to prevent the transmission from up and downshifting much on its own. It's probably easier on the entire drive train even if the engine is running 400-500 rpm higher (within reason). Downhill, same thing. Start the downgrade in a lower gear and at a reasonably slow speed that the exhaust brake and transmission can maintain. If one is using the foot brake very much, he's allowing too much speed to build up. It's much easier to start downhill at slow speed than to have to stand on the brakes as a sharp curve is approached. You'll seldom see good truckers start a long decline with much speed (like coming down from 11,000' at Eisenhower Tunnel west of Denver on I-70). As others have said, tow/haul and your exhaust brake are your best friends.
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