E 450 Tow/Haul

[Sunseeker16]

There was a post not long ago that talked about Tow/Haul. I posted that I didn't see much difference with it on or off. I apparently didn't try it in the right environment. I just got back from a trip through the Missouri Ozarks into Arkansas and back through Oklahoma to the Kansas City area. I can now say that this feature has some great benefits and I'll be using it a lot more. I hate to eat crow but it's getting easier the grayer I get.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by Sunseeker16

There was a post not long ago that talked about Tow/Haul. I posted that I didn't see much difference with it on or off. I apparently didn't try it in the right environment. I just got back from a trip through the Missouri Ozarks into Arkansas and back through Oklahoma to the Kansas City area. I can now say that this feature has some great benefits and I'll be using it a lot more. I hate to eat crow but it's getting easier the grayer I get.

Quick questions.......

We’re you towing or not?
What or how much weight we’re you towing?

[Sunseeker16]

On this trip I was towing a Ford Escape on a tow dolly. Towing or not, this feature has a lot of benefits. It shifts differently for climbing hills and most impressive to me is it shifts down on descending grades minimizing the use of brakes to control speed. I was also impressed with how it helped slow the rig in city traffic when stopping for traffic lights or turns and ramps.

[BehindBars]

I try to remember to engage tow/haul mode every time I start the engine. I wish it would stay set the way it was left when the engine was turned off, but it defaults to tow/haul off.

We are towing something behind the E-450 based motorhome much more often than not, but even when not towing, it’s still roughly a 13,000 pound truck, so I’d consider that “hauling”.

I don't notice any difference in the upshift pattern with tow/haul on, but I definitely enjoy the early downshifts for engine braking. With tow/haul on, the stops are easy and brakes see a lot less wear.

[Sunseeker16]

Could be my imagination, but it seems to upshift quicker when climbing hills. Could be just my imagination but the downshift on hills and even in city traffic is a real nice feature.

[JWallet]

Originally Posted by Sunseeker16

Could be my imagination, but it seems to upshift quicker when climbing hills. Could be just my imagination but the downshift on hills and even in city traffic is a real nice feature.

I haven’t noticed any real difference when upshifting, but downshifting when descending steep hills is a brake saver. My previous class c was on a Chevy and had a switch/ button to downshift manually and I really liked that and was a little disappointed when my new Sunseeker wasn’t set up that way but the more miles that I put on my 450 tow haul mode is just as effective.

[newRVer]

I did not use the tow mode much until I started towing a heavier vehicle. Without it starting and stopping the RV/SUV pair was much more noticeable than with our first tow vehicle. Since we tow a vehicle 95% of the time it would also be nice if it just stayed engaged unless you turn it off in between RV startup's. If you tow a car, especially a heavier vehicle, then I recommend using this feature full time.

RVr

[Jeffjeeptj]

Located this from a 2015 Ford Owners Manual. I figure a class C is close to “loaded” when towing or not. I would use tow/haul full time.

‘The tow/haul feature improves transmission operation when towing a trailer or a heavy load. All transmission gear ranges are available when using tow/haul.


To activate tow/haul, press the button on the end of the gearshift lever. The TOW HAUL indicator light will illuminate in the instrument cluster. Tow/haul delays upshifts to reduce frequency of transmission shifting. Tow/haul also provides engine braking in all forward gears when the transmission is in the D (Overdrive) position; this engine braking will slow the vehicle and assist the driver in controlling the vehicle when descending a grade. Depending on driving conditions and load conditions, the transmission may downshift, slow the vehicle and control the vehicle speed when descending a hill, without the accelerator pedal being pressed. The amount of downshift braking provided will vary based upon the amount the brake pedal is pressed.

To deactivate the tow/haul feature and return to normal driving mode, press the button on the end of the gearshift lever. The TOW HAUL light will no longer be illuminated. When you shut-off and restart the engine, the transmission will automatically return to normal D (Overdrive) mode (tow/haul off).

WARNING
Do not use the tow/haul or engine brake features when driving in icy or slippery conditions as the increased engine braking can cause the rear wheels to slide and your vehicle to swing around with the possible loss of vehicle control.’

Remember, the E450 cut-away is light compared to when the camper body is installed. Sounds like hauling to me.

[BehindBars]

I’ve been a big fan of tow/haul to date, but today I learned first hand what was described in post #8. Specifically this part, “Tow/haul delays upshifts to reduce frequency of transmission shifting”. This aspect actually annoys me, so I’ve taken to using tow/haul for engine braking situations, but not all the time driving in hilly areas.

Say I’m going up about a 3% grade. I get the downshift to 5, which is fine. Then I get the downshift to 4, the engine races, and I decide to back off due to trucks in the way or whatever. Normally if I back off the pedal, it immediately upshifts a gear. But in tow/haul, it will just hang on to 4th gear for about five seconds, or what seems like forever, even if I back way off the gas. I don’t like it.

The engine braking I like, but not the delayed upshift.

[Garrette]

To improve shifting and IMHO helps tow/haul work better, I would suggest the 5Star tune. I did this some years back on my 2014 Sunseeker and it has worked well especially on last years Rockies trip.

[n1acguy]

What Jeffjeeptj said. Class Cs are always loaded (so hauling), and the trans won't hold a lower gear on a downgrade unless in tow/haul.
It should always be on, IMO.
The electronic programming for holding a gear on a downgrade is superb on the later 6 speed models.
Very nice feature.

[mmarken]

I have a 2016 Forester 3051S with the E450. I'm new to this type of engine. When I am in tow/haul mode going down a steep hill, it doesn't slow down the rig enough, and when I apply the brakes, the rpms go crazy. Will it overrev if I just leave it? Not sure what to do. I'm was used to driving a diesel truck with exhaust brakes that seem to work better at slowing down the rig.

[BehindBars]

Originally Posted by mmarken

I have a 2016 Forester 3051S with the E450. I'm new to this type of engine. When I am in tow/haul mode going down a steep hill, it doesn't slow down the rig enough, and when I apply the brakes, the rpms go crazy. Will it overrev if I just leave it? Not sure what to do. I'm was used to driving a diesel truck with exhaust brakes that seem to work better at slowing down the rig.

I'm not sure if your year has the 5 speed or 6 speed, but when I tap the brakes on my 6 speed going downhill in tow/haul mode, it downshifts and raises the RPM to increase engine braking. It will not over rev. Let it do it's thing, or tap the brakes again and it may downshift again and rev even higher. That's how it works.

[mmarken]

Thanks for the info. It's a 6 speed. I'm just not used to an engine revving so high.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by mmarken

Thanks for the info. It's a 6 speed. I'm just not used to an engine revving so high.

I use it a lot while descending a 6.2% grade. If cruise control is not on (rare for me to use it) when I start down the hill then when the speed reaches what I want (ie, 55 mph) then I momentarily tap the brake pedal. That causes the transmission to drop one gear and the speed will usually settle down to between 55 & 60. If I see the speed increasing I'll touch the brakes again which drops another gear. So, each time you touch the brakes you drop down one gear.

FWIW, it seems like going downhill showing 3800-4000 rpm is the best number for holding speed on a 6.2% grade. YMMV.

[mmarken]

Thanks. Your info is very helpful.

[FlyProAv]

The shift pattern on my Ford F-250 truck shifts harder while in Tow/Haul mode during up shifts. I read somewhere that this is to reduce wear and tear on the clutches while heavily loaded. When not in Tow/Haul mode the transmission shifts smoother but slips the clutches a little more to provide that smoothness. I would imagine that the E450 chassis is similar in that regard. Now for my disclaimer, I can’t remember where I read the above information so it may all be garbage.
My truck also revs to what seems like crazy RPM’s while going downhill loaded but the book says that as long as it’s not above the redline that it’s acceptable and normal, it’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to be doing. Again, I believe the E450 would be similar.

[Tombsy]

Originally Posted by BehindBars

I try to remember to engage tow/haul mode every time I start the engine. I wish it would stay set the way it was left when the engine was turned off, but it defaults to tow/haul off.

We are towing something behind the E-450 based motorhome much more often than not, but even when not towing, it’s still roughly a 13,000 pound truck, so I’d consider that “hauling”.

I don't notice any difference in the upshift pattern with tow/haul on, but I definitely enjoy the early downshifts for engine braking. With tow/haul on, the stops are easy and brakes see a lot less wear.

I'm the same, start engine, cruise on, tow/haul on. The engine braking in the mountains is fantastic, love not having to touch the brakes.