Tow/Haul switch

[kgreen]

Has anyone had the tow/haul switch quit working mine stopped working on a trip last weekend


2014 Georgetown XL 378

[Lostdog]

Nope, it's never quit and I use it all the time. That would be a Ford problem and would be covered under warranty.

[fonzie]

I would check for a burnt fuse....

Fuse or relay number Fuse amp rating Protected components
18 20A** Backup lamp feed.
Tow/haul switch.
Transmission control indicator light.


page 62

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Fo...US_06_2014.pdf

[doc73]

I have also just had the switch (for mine it was in the end of the shifter) on another Ford SD that just went bad. It was an easy and cheap fix.

[kgreen]

I took it to ford dealer the wires in the steering column was broken they did cover it under warranty thanks


2014 Georgetown XL 378

[Jmsx2]

Not meaning to steal this thread but since you're on the topic of Tow/Haul Switch. When is it safe to engage tow mode? Once a year we head to Myrtle Beach from SWPA. Going through the mountains of WV there is a need for it. What concerns me is engaging the Tow Mode when going to fast. Any idea what the guidelines are for engaging and disengaging..

Thanks..

[doc73]

I am sure I will be argued with... But I'd run it all the time. The RV is a highly refined and aerodynamic Ferrari pushing through the head winds... NOT

I'd run it all the time just because you are "hauling" a 26,000lb brick on the roads.

[dhind]

I use it on grades, both up and down. If it is flat, not much point and I turn it off. On upgrades I prefer keeping the rev's up. On the downhill, the transmission braking keeps the load off the brakes. I live in Calgary, so most trips are through the Rockies and the transmission gets a work out.

It seems to anticipate conditions well, so not a lot of manual shifting, but not as good as my old Workhorse with the grade brake.

Key to mountain driving, not faster downhill than uphill, keep the revs up, and brake, cool, brake. Transmission for us will hold a 6-7% grade with out working the brakes. Climbing 10% no issue, just take it easy, foot never to the floor.

Dave

Dave


Dave & Michelle
2015 Georgetown 270SS
Calgary, Alberta

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by dhind

I use it on grades, both up and down. If it is flat, not much point and I turn it off. On upgrades I prefer keeping the rev's up. On the downhill, the transmission braking keeps the load off the brakes. I live in Calgary, so most trips are through the Rockies and the transmission gets a work out.

It seems to anticipate conditions well, so not a lot of manual shifting, but not as good as my old Workhorse with the grade brake.

Key to mountain driving, not faster downhill than uphill, keep the revs up, and brake, cool, brake. Transmission for us will hold a 6-7% grade with out working the brakes. Climbing 10% no issue, just take it easy, foot never to the floor.

Dave

Dave


Dave & Michelle
2015 Georgetown 270SS
Calgary, Alberta

Yes, through the hills of West Virginia I find myself breaking a lot down hills & fighting to go up hills. No sooner I get my momentum going I slow way down. I was wondering if there's such a thing as going to fast too engage the tow mode.

Thanks.


John & Janine
Pazzo the Maltese
2014 Georgetown 328 TSF
2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (Toad)

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[youroo]

Originally Posted by doc73

I am sure I will be argued with... But I'd run it all the time. The RV is a highly refined and aerodynamic Ferrari pushing through the head winds... NOT

I'd run it all the time just because you are "hauling" a 26,000lb brick on the roads.

The T/H function should be Used if pulling anything that has its Own Brakes! From dead stop takeoff to going down hills or slowing for any reason the T/H is a Big Plus! It can be activated at Any time,but if your Towing turn it On! Enjoy the Trip,enjoy the AutoMatic Transmission! Youroo!!

[toolman_57]

Originally Posted by doc73

I am sure I will be argued with... But I'd run it all the time. The RV is a highly refined and aerodynamic Ferrari pushing through the head winds... NOT

I'd run it all the time just because you are "hauling" a 26,000lb brick on the roads.

x2. I do run it all the time--it makes braking much easier when someone cuts in front of you or stops suddenly. I very rarely drive without something in tow as well.

[doc73]

To me it is tow and or hauling mode... You are "hauling" a house.... I found it kept the trans cooler on the heavy-duty trucks and they did stop better, even without a load. Because a truck with tools is now hauling.

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[Iggy]

Here is a document that I retrieved from the Ford Seminar we had during the 2015 Goshen FROG Rally.
You won't find much more about the Tow Haul Mode anywhere else.
Very informative paper on how to use it and what it really does.

[kgreen]

Great info thanks


2014 Georgetown XL 378

[Pipeman]

I have the engine braking on my TV. I use both and the braking is great. On my 2001, I used the Tow/Haul mode to help with braking when I wasn't pulling the 5er. I do the same with this one. It doesn't matter how fast you're going to engage it but you will get used to the speeds where it engages.. Mine has it's own computer, so to speak. It's the TCM.

[Mr. Dan]

One thing I've learned in the several tow/haul threads on this forum over the past months is that 'not all tow/haul functions are created equal." People will post "your tow/haul causes your truck to _________" and it may not. Tow/haul function may not work exactly the same from one year GM to another - never mind across 4-5 model years - never mind across truck manufacturing lines. My advice is to do what Iggy did. Get the exact explanation for your own truck. People post "your T/H switch turns off overdrive" (see Iggy's myth pamphlet) but mine doesn't. I have a 6-speed auto in which the two top gears are overdrive gears. With T/H on or off, my truck uses all 6 gears if other parameters allow.

That said, if I'm towing anything, my T/H is on. Mine (maybe not yours) is electronic and sets programming in the Transmission Control Module (TCM mentioned above). If I'm towing on a long flat stretch, I don't turn it off because no transmission shifting is occurring; therefore, it has no effect (on mine). It doesn't wear out anything. I have no fears of turning it on or off at any speed.

[Lostdog]

Your rig is a 2014, probably a 2013 chassis. The engine and transmission are TOTALLY controlled by the computer. And this includes the TOW/HAUL mode. All you can do is turn on or off the T/H switch. If, let's say, you turn on the T/H switch then the computer checks all parameters of the engine and transmission and the COMPUTER will determine if things are safe. Another example. Let's say you are going down a hill with the Cruise Control and T/H on. The COMPUTER will downshift the transmission as it determines there is a requirement to slow the rig down to maintain the speed you have selected by the Cruise Control. The COMPUTER will not allow you to hurt the engine/transmission. The systems are completely different than what was a T/H of years gone by. If I have the toad on the back I run with the TOW/HAUL on all the time. And here is where a lot of folks differ with me: it does not bother me to have the engine turn upwards of 5500 RPM after the computer controlled downshifting when climbing and descending the larger hills because that's where the horsepower is. The computer will not allow you to hurt the drivetrain. Let her sing...she loves it!

[doc73]

It is unnerving but the higher rpms do get the power.. I hated using my cruise control because of that high revving.

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[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by Lostdog

Your rig is a 2014, probably a 2013 chassis. The engine and transmission are TOTALLY controlled by the computer. And this includes the TOW/HAUL mode. All you can do is turn on or off the T/H switch. If, let's say, you turn on the T/H switch then the computer checks all parameters of the engine and transmission and the COMPUTER will determine if things are safe. Another example. Let's say you are going down a hill with the Cruise Control and T/H on. The COMPUTER will downshift the transmission as it determines there is a requirement to slow the rig down to maintain the speed you have selected by the Cruise Control. The COMPUTER will not allow you to hurt the engine/transmission. The systems are completely different than what was a T/H of years gone by. If I have the toad on the back I run with the TOW/HAUL on all the time. And here is where a lot of folks differ with me: it does not bother me to have the engine turn upwards of 5500 RPM after the computer controlled downshifting when climbing and descending the larger hills because that's where the horsepower is. The computer will not allow you to hurt the drivetrain. Let her sing...she loves it!

Everything you shared makes sense and pretty much what I thought. It's great to hear other opinions.

I do believe my chassis is a 2014. It was a left over and we purchased her this past August.

This is a loaded question but I wonder how much fuel economy you give up by keeping her in the Tow/Haul position. Not like these Coaches get great mileage (6.5 to 7.5 is the best I've gotten).

Thanks everyone for the helpful info.


John & Janine
Pazzo the Maltese
2014 Georgetown 328 TSF
2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (Toad)

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by doc73

It is unnerving but the higher rpms do get the power.. I hated using my cruise control because of that high revving.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

I anticipate the hills. Bump the cruise up a couple mph as you get close to the hill and then as you go up it, bump it down a 3-4 mph. It will pick up some speed before the hill and drop a bit of speed as you go up the hill, but if you time it right, you won't shift gears. At the top of the hill, bump it back up to your original speed.

My biggest problem is getting distracted and not bumping it up in time.