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Old 09-04-2012, 10:42 PM   #1
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Tow Mode or Not Tow Mode that is the question...

Tow Mode or Not Tow Mode.

Had this discussion with my father-in-law, we both have Dodge with 5.9 Cummins. He has 2500 auto, don't know what rear end he has. I have 3500 auto with 4:10 rear end.

He does not use it unless he is areas with lots of grades (mountains, hilly, etc.). He clams to get better MPG with it off.

I use it when ever the TT is hooked up, as per the truck manual. And before this turns into a "my trucks better than yours" thread, Make of truck does not matter.

What say you and why?

Thanks for your input...
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Old 09-04-2012, 11:06 PM   #2
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For what it is worth, and regardless of brand, "tow mode" does NOT alter the transmission or the rear end ratio. All it does on most is move the shift points, to keep the engine in the power band, and keep the tranny from "hunting" gears. the constant gear swap is hard on clutches, and accelerates wear. As for keeping the engine in the power band, yes it will use more fuel. When you are getting 10 mpg on a 100 mile trip, in regular mode,that is 10 gallons. If you used "tow haul" and got 9.5 mpg, you burned an extra 1/2 gallon. You spent at most an $2.00 for fuel. Is your $3000 transmission worth it?
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Old 09-04-2012, 11:31 PM   #3
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I always use it on my Nissan Titan. I notice it most at slower speeds. Not so much while cruising the highway. I switch gears my self it's easier on the truck for me to switch to a lower gears and let the truck stay in that gear till I get up a hill. Other wise it will shift back and forth through gears. I know my Nissan isn't as dramatic as others. My work truck is a Chevy 2500 with 6.0 and six speed auto. Sometimes I think the engine is gonna blow and then when stopping sometimes it almost put you through the windshield. My Nissan is nothin like that at all.
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Old 09-04-2012, 11:57 PM   #4
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On my f two fiddy, the tow/haul locks the tq more frequently to keep temps down, optimizes shift points for better pwer delivery, and activates the exhaust brake . With that said, it actually says on my info screen to use tow/haul for hills, and to turn it off on flats for better fuel economy.
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Old 09-05-2012, 04:21 AM   #5
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For what it's worth my manual read " no need to use TOW MODE until your at 80% of max gross combined weight. I normally don't need to use Tow Mode. I have used it going down Mount Eagle on I75 N to assist with engine braking. My weights are 22000lbs GCWR and I'm at 18000lbs combined weight ready for camping.
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Old 09-05-2012, 06:51 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by h20ski View Post
For what it's worth my manual read " no need to use TOW MODE until your at 80% of max gross combined weight. I normally don't need to use Tow Mode. I have used it going down Mount Eagle on I75 N to assist with engine braking. My weights are 22000lbs GCWR and I'm at 18000lbs combined weight ready for camping.
Correct, my manual indicates this also, my GVCW is about 80% and I use it. I found that I actually get better mileage than not using it and it does keep the trans temp down.
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Old 09-05-2012, 07:33 AM   #7
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I use mine whenever I am towing my 5th wheel (except when I stop and forget to engage it again!). As noted above, it activates the engine braking in our F-250's, and does all that other stuff. But it only shifts when needed. Since most of my towing is on the flatter areas of Texas, it makes no difference in mileage for me, since my tranny stays in 6th gear once I get cruising. I think that holds for most with the tow/haul as well. If it's staying in 6th gear (or that highest gear for your truck/tranny), mileage is probably not affected much, if at all, and it will give you the engine braking if needed.
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Old 09-05-2012, 07:59 AM   #8
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The manual for my Chevy says to use above 75% of max load. Also says that using it below that will not hurt the truck, but you will see lower fuel economy.

What I notice is definately higher rpms at cruise with a trailer attached, and lower mpg. I don't really know if it helps or hurts on downhill slopes. On my 2500, I engage my exhaust brake in hilly country to keep from gaining too much speed. Definately tow mode has a bigger effect on my Suburban than it does on my 2500 - probably because with the gas truck, I'm solidly above the 75% threshold.
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Old 09-05-2012, 08:02 AM   #9
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Also holds the gear longer when upshifting from a stop.
1St to second shift about 800 to 1000 rpms higher than with t/h off. On a gasser.
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Old 09-05-2012, 09:27 AM   #10
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I use it whenever I'm towing my TT
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Old 09-05-2012, 09:45 AM   #11
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On a Chevy Allison (at least) it will lock the TC and increase the pressure which provides a lower operating temp.
Besides reducing your fuel mileage at higher loads it will save on your brakes as well.
Keep in mind the Cummings Tranny is an entire different animal

Right from the 2011 Chevy Owners Manual:
Tow/Haul is designed to be most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least 75 percent of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). See “Weight of the Trailer” under
Trailer Towing on page 9‑94. Tow/Haul is most useful under
the following driving conditions: . When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load through rolling terrain.
. When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load in
stop-and-go traffic. When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load in busy parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul when lightly loaded or with no
trailer at all will not cause damage. However, there is no benefit to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics and reduced fuel economy. Tow/
Haul is recommended only when pulling a heavy trailer or a large
or heavy load.
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Old 09-05-2012, 10:37 AM   #12
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With my Dakota I always use the tow/haul mode whenever I'm towing the camper. Just seems to put a lot less stress on the trans with the changed shift points, and the motor doesn't work as hard.
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Old 09-05-2012, 11:50 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by camper_Lucy
On a Chevy Allison (at least) it will lock the TC and increase the pressure which provides a lower operating temp.
Besides reducing your fuel mileage at higher loads it will save on your brakes as well.
Keep in mind the Cummings Tranny is an entire different animal

Right from the 2011 Chevy Owners Manual:
Tow/Haul is designed to be most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least 75 percent of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). See “Weight of the Trailer” under
Trailer Towing on page 9‑94. Tow/Haul is most useful under
the following driving conditions: . When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load through rolling terrain.
. When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load in
stop-and-go traffic. When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load in busy parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul when lightly loaded or with no
trailer at all will not cause damage. However, there is no benefit to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics and reduced fuel economy. Tow/
Haul is recommended only when pulling a heavy trailer or a large
or heavy load.
Ditto, I use it always with camper



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Old 09-05-2012, 12:04 PM   #14
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I always use it because that's what it says to do in the manual.
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Old 09-05-2012, 12:52 PM   #15
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90% of the time I use it. It keeps my trany, AF, and oil temps down. If I see a long flat highway ahead I'll turn it off to help the MPG. But, if I have a strong headwind on a flat I'll keep it on.
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Old 09-05-2012, 01:13 PM   #16
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I use mine...still trying to figure out when I get the best gas mileage. Going to find out in the next few days...going to tow over Monteagle on I-24 about an hour's drive away. Also...Chevrolet owner's...do you access your vehicle's manual online?
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Old 09-05-2012, 01:48 PM   #17
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I tried it last weekend and didn't care for how it acted. It's pretty flat around here so I'll try it again at the end of month in the hills up north.
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Old 09-05-2012, 01:53 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EdJunior
I use mine whenever I am towing my 5th wheel (except when I stop and forget to engage it again!). As noted above, it activates the engine braking in our F-250's, and does all that other stuff. But it only shifts when needed. Since mostyou of my towing is on the flatter areas of Texas, it makes no difference in mileage for me, since my tranny stays in 6th gear once I get cruising. I think that holds for most with the tow/haul as well. If it's staying in 6th gear (or that highest gear for your truck/tranny), mileage is probably not affected much, if at all, and it will give you the engine braking if needed.
you know , a couple of times this last week end I stopped the truck, and got back in to go and tow/haul was still on when I started truck????..normally it turns off when I turn truck off?.....hmmmm
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Old 09-05-2012, 06:55 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ironj View Post
you know , a couple of times this last week end I stopped the truck, and got back in to go and tow/haul was still on when I started truck????..normally it turns off when I turn truck off?.....hmmmm
Really? Hmmm, maybe an update to the 2012's?? Interesting!
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Old 09-05-2012, 09:18 PM   #20
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So... are some here trying to believe they're smarter than the engineers and mechanics who built and designed these trucks?

If the manual says to use tow/haul mode when towing or hauling why would you think that it's not the right thing to do?
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