2017 Sunseeker/E450

[hudgins]

Our Sunseeker 2290s is on a Ford E450 chassis, that has a five-speed auto transmission. Question- is it best to travel in "tow/haul" mode at all times, or just during more challenging situations?

[GL1800Rider]

Ford suggests using the tow/haul mode all the time. Do you need to??? No. Unless I am going up and down hills that would cause the transmission to downshift frequently I leave it off and hit the button as needed for assistance in braking. Even though we are based in Florida we do frequent a few places in Georgia and Alabama and Kentucky where it's nice to just leave it in tow/haul.

It will use a bit more fuel because it will always delay the up shifts.

Hope this helps.

[RedLdr1]

I discussed this with the Ford factory representative at the last Goshen Rally. His advise was the same as what GL1800Rider said...leave it on. While it isn't a official published number he said it would only decrease mileage by maybe one to two tenths of a mile per gallon.

I leave it on all the time based on his suggestion and how it felt, compared to not having it on, in both our E450 and now in our Transit 350HD.

[sgtlm17]

Hudgins if you have a 2017 your rig should have the 6 speed

[retireearly]

Yup.. it is confusing because it shows D4321 but that is the six-speed. The five would show D321. I never use tow/haul unless in the mountains. It downshifts too much for my liking, but we are in a light coach, under 11K dry.

[hudgins]

Thank you all! We've just had it a short time, and the Dealer info listed it with a five speed. Digging through the manual just now, and it is indeed a six speed. Guess I've not counted the shifts!?! I can see why Ford would recommend always using the tow/haul, but agree with the idea of selective use.
Cheers!

[grumpy0374]

Think about it...your "hauling" ALL the time. Most of the class c rigs are not too far away from their max weight rating, if not over by the time you add all your "stuff". Add a toad, if your towing...
Tow/Haul stays on all the time on our Lexi.
Grumpy

[retireearly]

The shift patterns on the new 6 speed are more aggressive IMHO. Brake pads are cheap.. and my wife hates to hear the engine roar when it forces downshifts.

[Duckogram]

My 2014 had the 5 Speed and the shift pressure strategy was ridiculous.
A 5Star tune fixed that.
Now my 2018 has the 6 Speed. It’s better than 5 Speed by a long way however
not as good as a properly calibrated pressures. I’ll be adding the 5 Star soon.