Tow Haul or no Tow Haul Poll

[tallen]

For all the trucks out there pulling camper, that have a "tow haul" function on the truck, do you use or not.

1. all the time
2. never
3. sometime or when needed

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by tallen

For all the trucks out there pulling camper, that have a "tow haul" function on the truck, do you use or not.

1. all the time
2. never
3. sometime or when needed

use mine all the time towing my fifth wheel and i use my exhaust brake …but i also have a 2023 ford transit that i tow a cargo trailer with and i stopped using tow haul with that because it revs so high i’m afraid it’s gonna fly apart

[fjr vfr]

#3
I find on mostly flat towing it's not needed. I'm gentle enough and only pulling 10,600lbs with 4.10 gears.
I mostly notice a difference on steep and long down hills. It likes to shift down and makes the exhaust brake scream.
I always have the exhaust brake on...btw. A few years ago I talked to a couple mechanics at the big Cummins service center near me. They said all their fleet vehicles run them full time and there was no issue with it.

[LHaven]

We use ours all the time, and when we forget to turn it on, it's quickly apparent.

[locomech]

When towing the camper I use it all the time. When descending a long steep grade I'll use it even if not towing the camper.

[sourdough]

I will simply relate an experience; gas engine and pulling a 5k lb. Uhaul trailer with a Ford F150 moving my daughter back and forth from W TX to the coast - 3 trips and did not use tow haul. Once finished the tranny started slipping (still in warranty) and had a difficult time getting going. Took it in and they replaced the tranny....3 times (last Ford). SM said if towing anything, no matter how small the tow/haul mode should be activated. I've used it from then on...in Rams.

[FlyingAroundRV]

I used to use it all the time while towing. Last year in the Rockies I switched it off a couple of times when the trans shifted to second gear going down hill at 65 MPH and the engine went up to nearly redline.
My truck is a gas engine and it gives minimal braking from the engine. I found that with Tow/Haul on, every time you touch the brake going downhill, the trans will shift down another gear, almost regardless of the speed and RPMs.
So now, when going downhill, I will sometimes just tap the trailer brakes to bleed off a couple of MPH.
IMO, Tow/Haul is largely ineffective for engine braking with a gas engine.
BTW, my trailer has disc brakes.

[Max23]

The tow haul mode is not only for braking scenarios. That is also a protection mode for the transmission. It allows for the transmission to not be "bogged" down and running in to high of a gear for the load causing excess heat and wear. I use mine 100% while towing.

[Texas Steve]

I use mine 100% while towing along with the exhaust brake on my diesel. Also the adaptive cruise control maintains a constant speed up and down hills. It lets the truck do the work it is designed to do.

[Buffettfan]

I use the TH mode in hill terrain, but typically turn it off in flat areas, which is most of what I drive in.
I've monitored the transmission temperature in both modes as well as when not towing.
Trans runs within 1 or 2 degrees, regardless of the mode/load.

[flybouy]

Read your trucks owner's manual. The mfg didn't engineer and install it as an "interior adornment". The mode not only engages dynamic braking, it reprograms shift points, changes torque conver lockup parameters as well as other functions. As Danny found out, not using it while towing will destroy a transmission.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by flybouy

Read your trucks owner's manual. The mfg didn't engineer and install it as an "interior adornment". The mode not only engages dynamic braking, it reprograms shift points, changes torque conver lockup parameters as well as other functions. As Danny found out, not using it while towing will destroy a transmission.

This^
The only time mine is off is when I forget to turn it on.
As I understand it, the adjustable vanes on the turbocharger need to be exercised frequently to prevent them from locking up from coking deposits. It also helps to warm up the engine quicker.
Just as importantly I like the sound.

[dutchmensport]

#1. Always.

[jxnbbl]

All the time when towing the camper along with the exhaust brake.

[JRTJH]

There's a heck of a lot more to that "Tow/Haul" button than adjusting transmission shift points and using engine braking on downhill slopes....

Things like changing the variable steering response sensitivity, anti-skid braking programming, suspension geometry, trailer anti-sway programming, adaptive speed control "following distance programming" are some of the "computer adjustments that occur when you "push that button"....

Just as there's a warning not to engage engine braking on diesel trucks when driving on slick or wet pavement (bypasses the anti-skid braking system by overpowering it in some conditions) to not turning loose of the steering wheel when using the lane keeping feature, there's a lot more than "happens to the truck" when you push that Tow/Haul button than just "changing transmission shift points.....

[Kirk's Keystone Outback.]

All The Time (w/Travel Trailer).
I haven't been in extreme conditions where the functions are required, but why chance it.

[Dave727]

Originally Posted by Texas Steve

I use mine 100% while towing along with the exhaust brake on my diesel. Also the adaptive cruise control maintains a constant speed up and down hills. It lets the truck do the work it is designed to do.

#1

I agree! Same here!

[Gkri]

Originally Posted by Dave727

#1

I agree! Same here!

#1 all the time. Ditto what Max 23 said. My son is an auto and truck mechanic, he says you risk overheating and burning up your tranny if you don't use it.

[cougar23]

It was put there for a reason! Therefore I use it all of the the time when towing my 5th wheel.

[Max23]

Originally Posted by Gkri

#1 all the time. Ditto what Max 23 said. My son is an auto and truck mechanic, he says you risk overheating and burning up your tranny if you don't use it.

I have a mechanics degree. Been several years since I've been out but ya, I've seen many a ruined trannies from allowing that overdrive to kick in when the load situation dictates differently.