How often do you use tow/haul mode

99-ls1-ss · January 20, 2016

On our 2013 Tahoe, I find myself using tow/haul mode a lot. I don't tow that often with the Tahoe but I like the driving characteristics of it better.

tnchevy · January 20, 2016

My old truck had a 4.8 in it and I live in a hilly area with a small mountains to cross and used the tow/haul quite often. The 4.8 was a good little motor but even with 4.10 gears it still needed the lower/longer gearing of the tow/haul mode to help it out. On my 2014 with 5.3 and 3.42 gears I never use it, truck has plenty of get and go IMO.

LongrangeLauber · January 20, 2016

Everytime I tow. Helps with keeping trans Temps down as well. I tow at least 3x a week so anytime I'm hooked to a trailer, even empty. Also helps reduce slippage in the tranny down the road

newdude · January 20, 2016

When I'm towing or hauling...LOL.

Jokes aside...in my 2012, here or there I'd run it empty (Z71, 5.3, 3.42 gears). It would actually run AFM longer so I'd try to see how it did mileage wise. Plus, if I had a tank of E85, E85 seemed to run AFM longer when just in D, so I'd fire tow/haul to see how much run time I could get in V4. My 15 HD, I've used it with loads in the bed but that's about it. The 4.10 gears make it un-necessary when empty.

airman734 · January 20, 2016

I use it every time I have my camper hooked up (14 Z71 5.3 3.42). I have tried a trip with it and the same trip without it and it seems to be much happier with it on. I also just got my AutoCal from Black Bear so I can't wait to see the difference that makes towing as well as not.

I just wish the snow would stop so I could go fast enough to get a few WOT runs so I could send in my results to get my tune!!!!!!

FishinJ · January 20, 2016

Only when I want to have a little fun. I remember reading somewhere where it said it was not needed on anything under 7000#. My boat, trailer, gear and other crap is around 5000# and the 6.2 yanks it easily so no need for it but if I'm pulling out in traffic I'll turn it on just to get up to speed.

redwngr · January 20, 2016

Whenever it is shifting to often.

(which is usually only when hooked to a trailer and pulling grades.)

Beer Belly · January 20, 2016

Everytime I fire up the truck

newdude · January 20, 2016

Only when I want to have a little fun. I remember reading somewhere where it said it was not needed on anything under 7000#. My boat, trailer, gear and other crap is around 5000# and the 6.2 yanks it easily so no need for it but if I'm pulling out in traffic I'll turn it on just to get up to speed.

In general, tow/haul mode maintains lower gears longer and increases shift pressures. It is designed to be most effective when the vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least 75% of the vehicle's Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). Operation of tow/haul in a lightly loaded or non-loaded vehicle will not cause damage. However, there is no benefit to the selection of tow/haul when the vehicle is unloaded, and use of tow/haul mode during unloaded driving conditions will decrease fuel economy and may generate shift feel concerns.

Nolasaintz · January 20, 2016

I've been running mine in TH mode around town lately and love it. Throttle response and shifting is much improved.

Gas is cheap!

Chevor · January 20, 2016

Use it mostly for stop and go traffic.

Haus_Z71 · January 21, 2016

Use it mostly for stop and go traffic.

Same here, up until I got the Blackbear tune. I seriously hated how Drive shifted, I would either use tow/haul or m5.

Now I actually enjoy using Drive and only use tow/haul for what it was intended.

moosehead1 · January 21, 2016

There was a recent thread touting it has Haul Arse mode to be used for spirited driving, longer gear holds, seemingly better throttle response. YMMV.

gmc.apple · January 29, 2016

Hi guys, quick question! Im considering of buying 6.2 '15 sierra 1500 SLT with max trailering package. So my question is would it be ok for the truck to tow my '32 travel trailer which is around 7500lbs dry? In the gmc website is given that trucks with max tow package can tow up to 11700lbs but my friends are telling me that towing such a trailer will be difficult for 1500 and I need 2500...? Any comments? Thank you!

Badass69 · January 29, 2016

Never! I don't find it useful with a load on with my 2015...... just tries to keep the truck from upshifting and hangs up more in gears for no reason.... Can't stand it. What I would want is an M mode that shows the gear the tranny is actually in and lets me upshift it when I want too..... that would be great! The wire from the shifter is broken in 2005 and I have no reason to repair it.... was useless in that truck too. I tuned that one myself and it shifts great but I didn't use it when it was stock either.