Tow Mode Question

Newt182 · April 2, 2010

I have a 2006 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 in it and have only had it for a few months now. I don't normaly tow anything but this weekend will have my ATV in the bed and 2 more on a trailer. These are sport ATVs (1 400ex and 2 z400's) each just under 400 lbs. My question is should i be using the tow mode all the time, on or off the highway, or not at all? Is there an amount of wieght being towed that determines when tow mode should be used and when it is not needed?

Thanks!

Vortec-Z71 · April 2, 2010

I think your load is light enough so that you don't need Tow/Haul mode. I only use it when I am pulling something significantly heavy and need it to stay in lower gears longer.

jblakeney · April 2, 2010

I have a 2006 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 in it and have only had it for a few months now. I don't normaly tow anything but this weekend will have my ATV in the bed and 2 more on a trailer. These are sport ATVs (1 400ex and 2 z400's) each just under 400 lbs. My question is should i be using the tow mode all the time, on or off the highway, or not at all? Is there an amount of wieght being towed that determines when tow mode should be used and when it is not needed?

Thanks!

If I put more than 400lbs in the bed I put it in tow haul. And if their is anything on the trailer ball it is in tow haul.

I burned up one transmission by forgetting to bump that d@m^ button (1996 F150 E40D)..... It only took about 20 miles and I noticed it was shifting quite ODD with a little noise....

Jbo

mtiffinal · April 2, 2010

I put mine in tow/haul any time I pull. Don't want to take the risk of loosing tranny.

pm26 · April 2, 2010

I would say anytime you pull anything heavier than about 1,000 lbs and haul anything heavier than about 500 lbs.

Daryl LBZ · April 2, 2010

I haul my Raptor 700 in the bed and the GF's Wolverine in a 4x6 Trailer, and I don't use Tow/Haul Mode. It doesn't seem like the truck uses any more effort to pull it, and the tranny temps don't get high so I don't use it. I really only go 5-8 Miles anyhow. I hauled a load of wood in the truck and trailer one time, and I did use it for that because you could tell it was really heavy.

jblakeney · April 2, 2010

The purpose of Tow/Haul is to firm up the shift points. Which will allow less clutch/band slippage during shifting. As well as a keep the transmission from locking up in 1 to 1. Prolonged 1 to 1 with excess weight causes issues in the torque converter (i.e. DEATH OF THE transmission).

Jbo

TRCM · April 2, 2010

My manual says to use it when you are in a lot of stop & go traffic, hilly terrain, or towing more than 75% capacity.

Straight from the manual:

Tow/Haul is designed to be most effective when the

vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least 75 percent

of the vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).

See “Weight of the Trailer” later in the section. Tow/Haul

is most useful under the following driving conditions:

• When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load

through rolling terrain.

• When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load

in stop and go traffic.

• When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load

in busy parking lots where improved low speed

control of the vehicle is desired.

Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul when lightly loaded

or with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However,

there is no benefit to the selection of Tow/Haul when

the vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded

may result in unpleasant engine and transmission

driving characteristics and reduced fuel economy.

Tow/Haul is recommended only when pulling a heavy

trailer or a large or heavy load.

jro909 · April 2, 2010

just hit the button whenever you feel its needed, it dosen't hurt anything but your mileage to have it on..its better to burn more dinosaurs then burn a trans up

Daryl LBZ · April 2, 2010

just hit the button whenever you feel its needed, it dosen't hurt anything but your mileage to have it on..its better to burn more dinosaurs then burn a trans up

Lmao! I'll agree with that.

Denali_Joe · April 2, 2010

So, can anyone dummy down "75 percent of the vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)" and put a # on it? Are they saying if your truck weighs 3k and can tow 7k tops are they saying when you are towing/hauling 4.5k or more to use the tow/haul?

I'm going to be making a trip to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes in May. I'll be hauling 4 dudes and all of our stuff and towing an aluminum tandem axle trailer with 4 sport quads on it. Total weight of the quads would be 1800lbs tops, no clue what the trailer weighs, 850lbs of passengers, and probably 300lbs worth of gear. Will use the button to err on the safe side... Here is a pic of the setup I'll be pulling (from last years trip, my turn to drive):

The 4.8 in here struggled on some hills:

TRCM · April 3, 2010

I normally only tow my boat, which is around 3000 lbs, so I dont use it then around here.

Now, the GCWR for my truck is 13,000 lbs, and 75% of that is roughly 9800 lbs. Truck is ~ 5800 loaded, so that leaves 4000 lbs of trailer before you need to use it.

In your case, assuming you have the 5.3 & 3.73 gears, you shouldn't need it with what you say you are hauling, but you will be very close. I'd guess yer gonna be right around 9500 lbs loaded for your trip.

If you have a smaller engine, you will have to look up your GCWR for the engine and gearing.

MYZ-71 · April 3, 2010

thought I was being smart last summer when I pulled my 32ft travel trailer for the 1st time, trailer with gear weighs approx. 9500lbs. truck has 5.3 and 3.73`s and 35`s, ran in 3rd gear with tow/haul on, not long after hitting the highway noticed engine and transmission temps climbing high, when transmission would drop to 2nd on long hills it would hold 2nd way too long, had stock tires and rims in back of truck in case something like this happened, decided to try taking tow/haul off and transmission shifted up to third, temperatures dropped down and trip went well after that?

jro909 · April 3, 2010

thought I was being smart last summer when I pulled my 32ft travel trailer for the 1st time, trailer with gear weighs approx. 9500lbs. truck has 5.3 and 3.73`s and 35`s, ran in 3rd gear with tow/haul on, not long after hitting the highway noticed engine and transmission temps climbing high, when transmission would drop to 2nd on long hills it would hold 2nd way too long, had stock tires and rims in back of truck in case something like this happened, decided to try taking tow/haul off and transmission shifted up to third, temperatures dropped down and trip went well after that?

tow modes there so the trans dosen't hunt for gears constanstly, i'm not sure why you put it in 3rd plus tow, D and tows what is recommended....