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Old 07-05-2015, 07:12 PM   #1
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Tow with tow/haul mode on or off?

When I was towing my travel trailer with my F-150, I turned overdrive off. But now with the Sunseeker, I am getting ready to tow a Honda CRV. Should I have tow/haul mode on or off for towing with a class C?

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Old 07-05-2015, 07:17 PM   #2
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Tow/haul switch reduces frequent transmission shifting.
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Old 07-05-2015, 07:19 PM   #3
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not sure why a class A or C even has the tow haul button. It's always hauling, the house that was put on the chassis.
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Old 07-05-2015, 09:45 PM   #4
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In a GM truck when you engage tow haul mode it will also boost the voltage on the charge wire back to whatever you are towing. Don't know if a GM cab and chassis would be the same. Don't know about other brands.

You can always increase the charge voltage on any vehicle by turning on your headlights.
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Old 07-05-2015, 10:09 PM   #5
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I use Tow/Haul on always! Changes shift point providing better towing performance. I used it with F 150's, E350 and E450 Cube Chassis very similar loading to your MH and now with my F 250.
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Old 07-05-2015, 11:19 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by PopBeavers View Post
In a GM truck when you engage tow haul mode it will also boost the voltage on the charge wire back to whatever you are towing. Don't know if a GM cab and chassis would be the same. Don't know about other brands.

You can always increase the charge voltage on any vehicle by turning on your headlights.

I generally will keep it off if I am running at highway speeds on relatively flat roads. If I am in the hills, doing a lot of start and stop, or it starts hunting for the gears then I turn it on.
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Old 07-06-2015, 10:32 AM   #7
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I generally will keep it off if I am running at highway speeds on relatively flat roads. If I am in the hills, doing a lot of start and stop, or it starts hunting for the gears then I turn it on.
Out of curiosity, what is the advantage of turning it off. Does it save fuel or ride better or something else?

If I turned it off on a flat road I might not remember to run it back on when I hit a hill.

Also, when tow haul mode is engaged the transmission will automatically downshift when I use the brakes going down a hill. It does this very smoothly.

Unless I am traveling north or south in the central valley, I will not be on a flat road for more than an hour. But you apparently have long flat roads where you live.
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Old 07-06-2015, 10:35 AM   #8
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Turning it off gets you a little better fuel economy but it's not really a big difference.
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Old 07-06-2015, 10:52 AM   #9
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I do better with my foot and the tach. My husband loves it! So, to each his own.
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Old 07-06-2015, 12:49 PM   #10
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You can turn it on and off as needed, if you get into a hilly area it would be wise to turn it on. One of the Tow Haul functions is to increase the amount of transmission fluid flowing through the transmission cooler keeping your transmission cooler. Yes you can make the engine work the transmission similar to the Tow Haul and on the long flat it would work but in hills your transmission gets a workout and the increase flow of transmission fluid will save on repairs.
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Old 07-06-2015, 12:53 PM   #11
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Advantage of tow haul is better shifting at low speeds and helpful downshifting when braking down hills. I also lock out 6th gear (overdrive) when towing heavy.
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Old 07-06-2015, 12:56 PM   #12
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Tow haul keeps the engine in its power curve better and helps to better slow down because the transmission down shifts more aggressively. Always use it if you are hauling that is why they put it there.
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Old 07-06-2015, 01:32 PM   #13
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Many of these computerized trannies "learn" how you drive. Tow/haul off, they "think" you are going around as you usually do without the trailer so they operate as a daily driver. Once you push tow/haul, the tranny thinks "Aha! I'm pulling a trailer now, so my master will be accelerating and breaking differently."
So it's not 100% factory presets. The tranny knows how you drive in tow/haul.
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Old 07-06-2015, 02:15 PM   #14
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Increased fluid flow?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mark0224 View Post
You can turn it on and off as needed, if you get into a hilly area it would be wise to turn it on. One of the Tow Haul functions is to increase the amount of transmission fluid flowing through the transmission cooler keeping your transmission cooler. Yes you can make the engine work the transmission similar to the Tow Haul and on the long flat it would work but in hills your transmission gets a workout and the increase flow of transmission fluid will save on repairs.
Exactly how does this increase the transmission fluid flow? Never heard of this.
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Old 07-06-2015, 02:15 PM   #15
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When I was towing my travel trailer with my F-150, I turned overdrive off. But now with the Sunseeker, I am getting ready to tow a Honda CRV. Should I have tow/haul mode on or off for towing with a class C?

Thanks.
Greg
They have a tow/haul on there for a reason. With today's computer driven vehicles, the dealer can tell if you towed with out it on and let's say you burn up a trans, it's on you if they can prove it and want to prove it. I use it because it was made to use when you are towing or hauling heavy loads. I've seen a lot of remarks over the years about the tow/haul mode, I don't understand why you wouldn't want to use it. Saving a gallon of gas (if it saves any at all) versus a new trans, I'll pay for the gas.
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Old 07-06-2015, 02:29 PM   #16
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I did a test while towing to see what the mpg difference was with tow haul on and off. Result - no difference. Always use the tow haul on when towing.
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Old 07-06-2015, 04:11 PM   #17
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My button is Always On whenever we are towing....Doesn't matter about the gas, easier on transmission and engine.
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Old 07-06-2015, 04:26 PM   #18
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Not trying to be smart but it says it is a Tow/Haul mode so it is for when towing & hauling. Why would you not use it????? If it was not for that, it would be a not for tow / haul mode ??? It is there for a reason......

Yes I use it.


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Old 07-06-2015, 04:52 PM   #19
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I do better with my foot and the tach. My husband loves it! So, to each his own.

X2, don't see any reason to keep revving the engine when I could be running one gear up already. Going up a little nudge will downshift at just the right time without lugging the engine. Nothing like seat of the pants driving -- just takes 45 years of experience.
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Old 07-06-2015, 06:50 PM   #20
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I use it when towing mostly because of the downshift function. What I find annoying is how long it takes to upshift! I accelerate nice and easy...when I'm driving my motorhome, I'm not in a hurry...but this thing wants to redline before it shifts to the next gear, like I have my foot on the floor. I find myself backing off the pedal until it upshifts, then accelerating normally again...that V10 doesn't exactly sound like it likes to rev. More annoying is that it "surges" as I accelerate with a steady foot on the gas. Without the tow/haul mode on, it upshifts more quickly and accelerates smoothly. I'm assuming this is all normal....
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