Tow Mode or Not Tow Mode that is the question...

[daavalanche]

dunnnc,

How fast do you normally tow your rv? I stay at 60, if overdrive does not kick in until 60 I will tow at 55 next time.

[Mark and Linda]

Mine seemed to do better when I was doing 55 today...will check it again on the way home next week.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by daavalanche

dunnnc,

How fast do you normally tow your rv? I stay at 60, if overdrive does not kick in until 60 I will tow at 55 next time.

If I'm on flat lands, around 62-65 so it will engage OD. If there are rolling hills, I will stay between 55 & 60 and it will not go into OD. While in Tow mode, it will not shift into OD if there is any load on the engine at all. Sometimes I might get to 65 before letting up on the accelerator and let it shift and then very gently apply the throttle. We are usually always between 55 & 60. Rpm is around 2000 -2100 around 60 out of OD and around 1700-1800 in OD at 60.

[Mike101]

Sorry gang, late to the thread here and got lost. I have an 08 mega cab 1500 that has a tow/haul button. Push once = tow/haul. push again = overdrive off. Do I understand this right that not only when pulling out of the parking lot and up hills, I should keep the tow/haul button on at all times while towing my 5ver down the side streets, Highway and campground ?

[SaskCampers]

I always had our Megacab in tow/haul with either the V-Lite or my flat deck with 8k of water. It shifted firmer and was quicker to change to a lower gear on hills as well as holding gears longer.

[Mike101]

I was using only in tough times (hills) and then off. Heading to Picton wine country Friday morning. Will tow haul all the way and see how she does. Thanks.

[Coops1]

The other benefit is a cooler engine due to the higher rpms

[EdJunior]

Originally Posted by Coops1

The other benefit is a cooler engine due to the higher rpms

You're only going to get the higher RPMs if the tranny downshifts. Unless you mean when you lock out the overdrive. But if the truck is pulling the trailer with no stress, it will run just as cool in overdrive as any other gear. The tow/haul in these new trucks are smart enough to know when to shift, and when to let you cruise along. Trust them, and use them.

[transamz9]

My tow/haul holds OD longer and it also lets the TC lock in 3rd gear.

[Coops1]

Originally Posted by EdJunior

You're only going to get the higher RPMs if the tranny downshifts. Unless you mean when you lock out the overdrive. But if the truck is pulling the trailer with no stress, it will run just as cool in overdrive as any other gear. The tow/haul in these new trucks are smart enough to know when to shift, and when to let you cruise along. Trust them, and use them.

When in tow/haul I see slightly higher rpm's, (maybe 150) and with my Edge Insight I see lower egt's compared to not having it on.

Tow/haul does not lock out overdrive with the allison.

The Allison 1000 Series 6-speed automatic transmission used with the 6.6L V8 Turbo Deisel has a Tow/Haul mode that engages the Torque converter clutch in second through sixth gears, which reduces heat buildup that an unlocked converter can generate when under heavy loads. It also enhances the "Grade Braking" feature.

Take note: this is not the overdrive lock-out used by many competitors. In fact, Tow/Haul mode, combined with Passive Shift Stabilization, permits towing in overdrive for optimum fuel efficiency in most situations. The Passive Shift Stabilization feature detects and reduces a condition referred to as "shift busyness."

[SaskCampers]

Originally Posted by EdJunior

Interesting ironj. I have never seen this on my screen. It must be a 2012 thing. Or I haven't had a situation that triggered it. Dunno!

Our 2011 6.2 reads the same as ironj's. Checked it last night and I did not have a trailer hooked up either.

[EdJunior]

Originally Posted by Coops1

When in tow/haul I see slightly higher rpm's, (maybe 150) and with my Edge Insight I see lower egt's compared to not having it on.

Tow/haul does not lock out overdrive with the allison.

Ah. I stand educated! Thanks Coops. I didn't mean to say that tow/haul locks out OD, I knew it didn't do that. But manually locking it out. I will have to research the tow/haul a bit more for the Fords now, I don't remember that they do all the Allison does, but I will see.

[Mike101]

just back from the weekend camping. used tow haul 100% whe hooked up. The Ram loved it. ran quiet and smooth and strong up hills. Will never tow without it on no matter what speed or terrain. Thanks for the help

[B47]

Originally Posted by Mike101

just back from the weekend camping. used tow haul 100% whe hooked up. The Ram loved it. ran quiet and smooth and strong up hills. Will never tow without it on no matter what speed or terrain. Thanks for the help

Same here with our Ram 2500 with the Cummins 6.7L diesel. Also use the Engine Exhaust brake when towing.

[Mark and Linda]

Originally Posted by Mark and Linda

Mine seemed to do better when I was doing 55 today...will check it again on the way home next week.

***Follow up to my previous post*** We made it back home this afternoon. I used my tow-haul all the way back from Savannah, GA. I found out that mine does better with the rpm's when I am at 60 mph, rpm's decrease below 2k. I pulled Monteagle Mountain on I-24 in 3rd, everything done well.

[Road-King]

Originally Posted by Mark and Linda

***Follow up to my previous post*** We made it back home this afternoon. I used my tow-haul all the way back from Savannah, GA. I found out that mine does better with the rpm's when I am at 60 mph, rpm's decrease below 2k. I pulled Monteagle Mountain on I-24 in 3rd, everything done well.

Did you stop at Stuckey's for a log roll?

I get the same results on my truck, with tow/haul "on" and CC set at 60 mph it locks in the O/D and rpm's stay below 2K. Best mpg running that way for me.