Towing in tow-haul with 6sp auto

CKNSLS · May 1, 2013

6th gear does kick in with tow-haul mode. In addition, it will go in to 4cylinder AFM mode (when going down a hill) in tow-haul mode.

Grumpy Tooch · June 4, 2013

you know I don't notice it that much as you guys are saying in tow haul mode I keep it on while I'm pulling and I don't notice it much that it really help slows me down at all

nyplumber · July 27, 2013

Okay can someone please fill me in on how the tow/haul mode is supposed to work. was towing my popup camper and decided to use tow/haul mode for first time. Noticed that the RPM would rev up considerably when braking or slowing down. Is that normal. Should I use tow/haul all the time when pulling camper? It seemed that reving of engine did not sound good and I figured lower rpm was better so I turned it off. I tried it later in the trip and did same thing so left it off. Was on highway most of time. What about when in mountains? Thanks.

MikeNH · July 27, 2013

The downshifting is grade braking and is normal when tow/haul is on. As for when to use it, I just say that if the trans is still able to hold gears then go ahead and keep it off. If it seems to hunt, turn it on.

CKNSLS · July 27, 2013

Just pulled my 29 foot -5,500 pound travel trailer 8,000 miles in 8 months. The tow haul mode will hold gears longer and help braking by downshifting when you stop. Yes, my direct experience tells me it goes in to 4cylinder mode when going down a SLIGHT hill. I used tow-haul mode anytime I had the trailer hooked up, regardless of highway conditions or hills, mountains, etc.

This features works together with the motor, don't worry about the revving, they are designed for that.

nyplumber · July 31, 2013

Ok thanks for the input. I think I will leave it on next time and see if I get used to it. Just to make sure I got this straight the reving hi rpm when tow/haul engaged is normal when slowing down and that is called downshifting. By downshifting it helps slow truck down without using brakes as much.

When accelerating will my rpm's be lower?

KMGZ400 · August 1, 2013

Okay can someone please fill me in on how the tow/haul mode is supposed to work. was towing my popup camper and decided to use tow/haul mode for first time. Noticed that the RPM would rev up considerably when braking or slowing down. Is that normal. Should I use tow/haul all the time when pulling camper? It seemed that reving of engine did not sound good and I figured lower rpm was better so I turned it off. I tried it later in the trip and did same thing so left it off. Was on highway most of time. What about when in mountains? Thanks.

you dont need tow haul for a little pop up camper... if you were towing a fullsize camper it would be much more helpful

nyplumber · August 1, 2013

you dont need tow haul for a little pop up camper... if you were towing a fullsize camper it would be much more helpful

Yes I think the truck can handle the weight no problem. Camper is about 1500# empty. When fully loaded full of gear and passengers add another 1500# plus. When we travel camping we cant possibly fit anything else either in camper or truck.

Just want to really understand the tow/haul feature plus we may upgrade to a bigger camper in the future.

ChevyTech77 · August 1, 2013

Tow/haul mode is only necessary when you reach 70% or greater of your maximum tow rating. Pulling my 5000 lb camper in tow/haul just makes the transmission run hotter and the engine drink more fuel.

The engine speed increases when slowing down in tow/haul is during the 2-1 downshift only and is engine braking not grade braking. Grade braking is available in or out of tow/haul mode and is only used to control the speed of the truck when driving down steep grades. Grade braking can be shut off by using the manual shift mode or pushing and holding the tow/haul button for 5 seconds.

elite0259 · August 1, 2013

Ok thanks for the input. I think I will leave it on next time and see if I get used to it. Just to make sure I got this straight the reving hi rpm when tow/haul engaged is normal when slowing down and that is called downshifting. By downshifting it helps slow truck down without using brakes as much.

When accelerating will my rpm's be lower?

RPM's will be higher for more power

benitslu · January 27, 2014

Are you guys leaving it in D when towing on interstate with tow haul on?

I'll be towing a 7000lb TT with 3.42 gears.

CKNSLS · January 27, 2014

In tow-haul mode your transmission will do what it needs to do. I towed a 5,500 pound travel trailer 8,000 miles in 8 months doing just that-leaving it it drive and using the tow-haul mode.

The only exception I made was to use the manual selector to downshift ONLY WHEN there was a very steep hill to get a "running start".

I have a 2011-5.3-Crew Cab.

The tow-haul mode really helps with braking.

hollis092 · February 13, 2014

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

It sure does. If you dont want 6th - use Manual in 5th gear.

I spend alot of time driving mine set on M5 - in town I find no need for #6.

tech tool · February 20, 2014

Hi .. Just wondered if anyone has a 14 with Max towing pkg and how they like it ... Just ordered one

bloudie · March 23, 2014

remember when the truck downshifts to slow the rig it's slipping those clutches is the trans. some might argue that this adds no wear to the clutches, but any shift means slipping the clutches in the trans. replacing brake pads is cheaper. where this feature should really be thought of to be used is in a hairy downhill/mountain descent to ensure the brakes don't fade out. eastbound on I-70 west of Denver Colorado is where you would most likely use this feature. or maybe 17 south out of flagstaff to phoenix. good chance you'll see some dead people on the sides of these extreme elevation changes,too. maybe they should have used hill descent.