Tow/haul mode

[DKRITTER]

I use mine 90+% of the time.

The only exception is on the open road with the cruise on if we are on rolling hills. It just seems the truck is changing gears constantly.

If we get into some pretty good hilly terrain I'll leave tow haul on and turn off the cruise control if we are going up hill. However if we are going down both are on.

[Mr. Dan]

This forum has several/many threads on this subject. Some of the “features” mentioned above as universal are not; they are brand specific and even model year specific. Some posters have tried to make that clear. It’s Tow/Haul Mode, not trailer connection, that makes my lane change blink 6 times rather than 3; T/H mode makes my alternator “hotter”; T/H mode does NOT lock my transmission out of 5th and 6th gears which are both overdrive. The best advice above is to read your owner’s manual and not read on here what somebody else’s T/H does.

When I’m towing or hauling, I use Tow/Haul mode since my Transmission Control Module and ECM are smarter about need than I am. I can’t speak for someone else’s TCM.

[jd50i]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Never saw this when I was towing with my Chevy. I pick and choose when to use and never have seen trans temps rise. I have towed a lot of different trailers over the years and never had issues with trans new vehicles are so much better and if you read your manual it basically lets you decide. Older truck the manual told you when to use. Later RJD

It was a Chevy trans I burned up. Manual said didn't need to use it unless over 5000lbs and I was towing 3500lbs.

[JohnD10]

Whenever my 5'ver is hooked up and rolling...I have the T/H mode on.

Whatever it does...it does it better than I ever could!

And I learned something about my truck in this thread...

I've been wondering why my blinkers would sometimes stay on...now I know!

Guess I skipped that part of the manual...

[IsleDog]

Originally Posted by woodrockin

That's the point... You don't want to use overdrive when towing. Statements like this are the main reason I don't like buying used vehicles.

While i hesitate to post this because i dont like to bash someone, blanket statements like this only serve to confuse people or provoke arguments. not everyone is hauling a gargantuan monstrosity behind them at over 60 mph. while his TT is rather large and heavy, he also has an appropriately sized TV to handle that rig, but im guessing you didnt bother to look that up before regurgitating nonsense. If temps are within spec, there is no harm. there are times when turning it off is perfectly acceptable. Tow/haul serves to limit transmission hunting, if his is not hunting then its fine.

[woodrockin]

Originally Posted by IsleDog

While i hesitate to post this because i dont like to bash someone, blanket statements like this only serve to confuse people or provoke arguments. not everyone is hauling a gargantuan monstrosity behind them at over 60 mph. while his TT is rather large and heavy, he also has an appropriately sized TV to handle that rig, but im guessing you didnt bother to look that up before regurgitating nonsense. If temps are within spec, there is no harm. there are times when turning it off is perfectly acceptable. Tow/haul serves to limit transmission hunting, if his is not hunting then its fine.

You're entitled to your opinion, and I'm entitled to mine...

[Cypressloser]

Originally Posted by kevin79

Should I use row/haul mode on my truck when pulling the camper all of the time or just when I'm on the open road? Is it good or beneficial to use it in the city or when suck in traffic? What about construction zones when there is a lot of so and go traffic or going 5-10 MPH?

With your truck / trailer combination definitely always on.

[RangeMaggotBob]

Originally Posted by IsleDog

While i hesitate to post this because i dont like to bash someone, blanket statements like this only serve to confuse people or provoke arguments. not everyone is hauling a gargantuan monstrosity behind them at over 60 mph. while his TT is rather large and heavy, he also has an appropriately sized TV to handle that rig, but im guessing you didnt bother to look that up before regurgitating nonsense. If temps are within spec, there is no harm. there are times when turning it off is perfectly acceptable. Tow/haul serves to limit transmission hunting, if his is not hunting then its fine.

Totally agree. The way I understood it, with my truck, is the shifting points are longer in tow haul mode, and it will still go into overdrive. That's all there is to it. I personally run in tow/haul with exhaust brake on all the time- towing or not. And it DOES go into overdrive. I live in a hiily area with lots of curves, and with the exhaust brake and tow/haul mode, I never use my brakes.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by jd50i

It was a Chevy trans I burned up. Manual said didn't need to use it unless over 5000lbs and I was towing 3500lbs.

And what year was the truck and engine size, and 1/2 ton or the HD trucks Later RJD

[MtBiker]

Tow / Haul mode on most transmissions' also makes the clutches grab harder. You will not notice it as you have extra weight behind you. This helps control the trans from slipping when it shifts.

[ccamper]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

I only use it in town or towing in the hills. When I'm on the interstate or highway, I turn it off as it limits the shifting range and will not allow it to use 6th gear at highway speeds.

Ditto

[madatme]

For my 2cents, I use it because it drives better for me, reason #2 the remapping of shift points attempt to keep the engine in its preferred horse power and torque range, #3 the engine braking going down a hill will help the brakes from overheating which could be bad if headed for the lake--press flotation button as mentioned earlier.

[otrtrucker]

Originally Posted by kevin79

Should I use row/haul mode on my truck when pulling the camper all of the time or just when I'm on the open road? Is it good or beneficial to use it in the city or when suck in traffic? What about construction zones when there is a lot of so and go traffic or going 5-10 MPH?

My transmission specialist says that any time you are towing, or hauling anything, use the tow/haul mode. He rebuilds three transmissions a week from people who didn't use it.

Sent from my XT1585 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by woodrockin

That's the point... You don't want to use overdrive when towing. Statements like this are the main reason I don't like buying used vehicles.

If the truck has the power, it will tow fine in 6th gear out on the flats. On slight hills, my diesel doesn't even down shift. I'm also one of those that uses.....god forbid..."Cruise Control" while towing. NOW !....that being said, if road conditions are not favorable....I shut off the cruise control.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

This forum has several/many threads on this subject. Some of the “features” mentioned above as universal are not; they are brand specific and even model year specific. Some posters have tried to make that clear. It’s Tow/Haul Mode, not trailer connection, that makes my lane change blink 6 times rather than 3; T/H mode makes my alternator “hotter”; T/H mode does NOT lock my transmission out of 5th and 6th gears which are both overdrive. The best advice above is to read your owner’s manual and not read on here what somebody else’s T/H does.

When I’m towing or hauling, I use Tow/Haul mode since my Transmission Control Module and ECM are smarter about need than I am. I can’t speak for someone else’s TCM.

After a little research...most transmission on the BIG 3...(at least) will Lock Out Overdrive...6th gear...or whatever...when in Tow/Haul mode.

[Wileykid]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

After a little research...most transmission on the BIG 3...(at least) will Lock Out Overdrive...6th gear...or whatever...when in Tow/Haul mode.

Interesting. My '16 Chevy with the Dmax/Allison does go into overdrive with the tow/haul mode on. I know the first several years they put it on, they did lock out the overdrive, but changed that somewhere around 2011(?). I know I can lock it out, by going into the manual mode.

Is it different for the smaller engine/tranny combo?

[RFawcett]

I take it out of tow mode when I've topped out on highway around 70mph. My 2007 ford e350 van doesn't seem to get the top gear unless I do.

[JohnD10]

Nothing wrong with using cruise control when towing...

I 'drive' with cruise control!

By that I mean that I don't just turn it on and go until I hit the brakes or fall asleep and crash...

But instead of using my foot on the gas pedal, I use the buttons on the steering wheel constantly to raise or lower my speed as needed and can also anticipate when the cruise control is going to hit the gas on an uphill and lower the speed some to keep it from flooring it!

Plus, I can still put the shift lever in manual and choose the gear I want while still in cruise control!

Also, on downhill grades (I live out west where we have real down hill grades, not tiny little slopes) the tow/haul mode along with cruise control will almost always keep the set speed buy using the engine brake.

[Cypressloser]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

After a little research...most transmission on the BIG 3...(at least) will Lock Out Overdrive...6th gear...or whatever...when in Tow/Haul mode.

mmmh?

[pete100]

I have a 2017 F-250 and typically put it in tow/haul and forget about it. However, after putting 5800 hundred miles traveling out west this summer there are times on the steep grades when the transmission is taking longer than I like to shift. In those cases I turn off tow/haul which often helps. Shifting to M (manual shifting) is better yet but I don't like taking my eyes off the steep twisty roads to shift the clunky lever in and out of M.