Towing in tow-haul with 6sp auto

burgundyz71 · September 11, 2012

My truck tows great but wish I would have read the manual before I towed with this one. I thought I blew it up when we started downhill and I got on the brakes. I wasn't expecting it to downshift like that but now that I know it does that I gotta say it really keeps you off the brakes.

tyhuck · September 11, 2012

I did the same thing the first time I pulled with a 6spd. Scared the crap out of me because it was the wifes brand new Tahoe and I thought I broke it.

rfh1030 · September 12, 2012

Never happened to me because I was familiar with it before I used it, but the tow/haul mode is great! I was hauling a few thousand pounds of dirt and would just tap the brakes and the truck would slow itself down beautifully. When you get to 15 mph then you need to use the brakes more. I love it.

burgundyz71 · September 13, 2012

Yep, now that I sorta got the hang of it I am glad to have it. We have alot of hills here and when I have my box trailer or horse trailer hooked up it is a beautiful thing to have.

Wintersun · September 14, 2012

Be aware that in manual mode with the selector the tow haul mode will work but grade control will be disabled. I leave the trans in auto and in tow haul mode the trans will not go into 6th gear anyway.

johnhankel · September 17, 2012

Be aware that in manual mode with the selector the tow haul mode will work but grade control will be disabled. I leave the trans in auto and in tow haul mode the trans will not go into 6th gear anyway.

It will go in to 6th gear if the rpm is around 2000. Mine usually hangs out at 1900 to 2000 at 70 mph on the interestate. It downshifts pretty easily though.. This is with tow/haul enabled...

Coolmaker · September 18, 2012

Be aware that in manual mode with the selector the tow haul mode will work but grade control will be disabled. I leave the trans in auto and in tow haul mode the trans will not go into 6th gear anyway.

Can't speak for yours, but my 2012 will go into 6th gear all day long while towing....

SSSilverado23 · September 20, 2012

I just got an 06 with the 6 speed allison to tow with and havent towed anything yet. What are you guys talking about? Dont use the brakes going down a hill? I dont have a manual. Unless this is for newer trucks?

Z71-2012 · October 8, 2012

Using tow/haul mode disables 6th gear, it also holds gears longer and locks the convertor. 2000rpm at 60mph is fifth gear. 1400rpm at 60mph is 6th gear. If your trans is going into 6th its either not in tow/haul mode or you have a duramax under the hood

uh6tdrvr · January 6, 2013

Using tow/haul mode disables 6th gear, it also holds gears longer and locks the convertor. 2000rpm at 60mph is fifth gear. 1400rpm at 60mph is 6th gear. If your trans is going into 6th its either not in tow/haul mode or you have a duramax under the hood

False, it will go into tow/haul in 6th

BlackSilver · April 29, 2013

Towhaul works in all gears. I pull a 7-ton trailer in 6th gear, and it works just fine coming down the mountains.

MikeNH · April 29, 2013

Using tow/haul mode disables 6th gear, it also holds gears longer and locks the convertor. 2000rpm at 60mph is fifth gear. 1400rpm at 60mph is 6th gear. If your trans is going into 6th its either not in tow/haul mode or you have a duramax under the hood

Tow/haul absolutely allows 6th gear to be used.

Z71-2012 · April 29, 2013

Ok, thanks for the info

BlackSilver · May 1, 2013

I just got an 06 with the 6 speed allison to tow with and havent towed anything yet. What are you guys talking about? Dont use the brakes going down a hill? I dont have a manual. Unless this is for newer trucks?

Your 06 in tow-haul will apply grade braking going down grades. You may still need to feather the brakes on occasion, but Miss Allie will do the heavy work for you, keeping your trailer brakes cool in case you need them.

2017HD · May 1, 2013

This was one of the many features that made me wait for the 07 NBS trucks. I love both grade braking and the trailer brakes - both have saved my butt. And to beat the dead horse - Tow Haul mode allows the transmission to go into 6th. Both the DMax and Allison and the 6.0/GM tranny work the same. New for 2011 (or 12 I don't remember which) they also added and exhaust brake system to the DMax Allison combo.