1/2 ton tow vehicles

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by CmprBobH69

looking to buy a 1/2 ton GMC or Chevy Crew cab, short box, with a 5.3 V8. The numbers are good for what I tow now and for the future to upgrade. New trucks are a little too spendy so looking at some 2019 and 2020 trucks with low miles (under 40k). The 2019 models have the 8 speed transmission and the 2020 and newer have the 10 speed.

Looking for info as to the possible pitfalls of the 8 speed. Or does it really matter?
Thanks for the help.

We tow with a Chev, crew cab, short box, V8 5.3 with 3.42 rear end, 6-speed tranny. Also, a must-have is the factory tow package. The only downside is the 1366 cargo weight rating, but with careful loading, we managed very successfully towing a 7685 lb. GVRW trailer.

Read what others have said about the problematic 8-speed tranny.

Bob

[Littleearn]

Originally Posted by CmprBobH69

looking to buy a 1/2 ton GMC or Chevy Crew cab, short box, with a 5.3 V8. The numbers are good for what I tow now and for the future to upgrade. New trucks are a little too spendy so looking at some 2019 and 2020 trucks with low miles (under 40k). The 2019 models have the 8 speed transmission and the 2020 and newer have the 10 speed.

Looking for info as to the possible pitfalls of the 8 speed. Or does it really matter?
Thanks for the help.

No matter what you decide on always get a truck with tow package. It should have tow mode. Always engage tow mode it will lock out top 2 gears and hold lower gears longer.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Littleearn

No matter what you decide on always get a truck with tow package. It should have tow mode. Always engage tow mode it will lock out top 2 gears and hold lower gears longer.

The bold blue statement above is not true for my truck. Tow/haul mode is not the same make to make and model to model - even year to year. All of my gears are available/used in tow/haul mode.

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

The bold blue statement above is not true for my truck. Tow/haul mode is not the same make to make and model to model - even year to year. All of my gears are available/used in tow/haul mode.

Our tow vehicle does have the factory tow package and a 6-speed tranny. In TOW mode it only locks out the #6 gear. It changes the shift points for increased torque, changes the alternator charging cycle, and works great with engine braking on downhill grades. I really like the way it handles our trailer.

Bob

[mmartin_tdc]

Tow mode on my 2012 Ram CTD does not lock out any gears. It does change the shift points. Goes to show that not all trucks are the same, so research YOUR truck to identify what it does, not what others trucks do. This is the only way to find out the correct answer for you and your truck. FWIW, I use tow mode whenever I hook up a trailer. I turn on my exhaust brake every time I drive the truck.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

Our tow vehicle does have the factory tow package and a 6-speed tranny. In TOW mode it only locks out the #6 gear. It changes the shift points for increased torque, changes the alternator charging cycle, and works great with engine braking on downhill grades. I really like the way it handles our trailer.

Bob

Tow/haul on my truck also changes the lane change turn signal from 3 flashes to 6. Took me a while to notice that!

[Littleearn]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

The bold blue statement above is not true for my truck. Tow/haul mode is not the same make to make and model to model - even year to year. All of my gears are available/used in tow/haul mode.

Sorry my bad. Retired from Chrysler and have owned many dodge (ram)trucks through the years. Know for a fact all rams with 8 speed will lock out 7 and 8 gears. Was under the impression from reading forums other mfgs did also.

[Littleearn]

Originally Posted by mmartin_tdc

Tow mode on my 2012 Ram CTD does not lock out any gears. It does change the shift points. Goes to show that not all trucks are the same, so research YOUR truck to identify what it does, not what others trucks do. This is the only way to find out the correct answer for you and your truck. FWIW, I use tow mode whenever I hook up a trailer. I turn on my exhaust brake every time I drive the truck.

My 2020 ram 2500 does lock out top gears and deactivates the cylinder displacement. My truck has the 8 speed as did the 2015 1500 I had before. Don’t know about the 6 speeds never had one.

[NJKris]

Doesn't lock out gears on F150, but only gets into 6th gear when not taxing the engine, such as level road or downslope when slope is not severe enough to toggle engine braking.