Tow mode?

[Loco-diablo]

What exactly does 'tow mode' do? Is it just a transmission remap? I'm curious if there's a certain weight criteria when you should turn it on. I have a 21' Boston Whaler that weighs about 4000 lbs (approx) when loaded with fishing gear and fuel. Should I be enabling tow mode every time I haul the boat?

[HeySkippyDog]

I push the button anytime there's something on my hitch ball.

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[BigBadSierra]

I know it increases the transmission line pressure and changes the shift points. 

 

The grade braking is enabled.

 

I would use it towing that weight however running on flat level roads you can get away with not using it.

 

[Racindave]

I think of it like my old 93s transmission.  If u towed in overdrive you would burn up the trans. (You had to pull in drive). Had 280,000 miles when that transmission went, but always pulled with overdrive locked out. Buddy of mine pulled one 2 hour trip same weight with his and his burned up. 4,000 lbs I’d pull with tow mode on. There is a reason it is in our trucks.  

[Loco-diablo]

Thanks Folks...I have been using it.. I was just curious about it.

[Darmichar]

Hell, I turn mine on almost every time I get in the truck, but I definitely turn it on when I'm pulling my boat.  The shift points are more realistic with tow mode turned on and the transmission 'hunts' less.

[bdbake01]

3 hours ago, BigBadSierra said:

I know it increases the transmission line pressure and changes the shift points. 

 

The grade braking is enabled.

 

I would use it towing that weight however running on flat level roads you can get away with not using it.

 

Use it anytime you wish, no harm either way. I tow quite often without.  Shift points go up, so mileage can suffer a bit, but if you’re pulling something heavy it could actually improve.  If I’m heavy, I tend to use it until I get to smooth cruising and then turn it off so it doesn’t hunt as much.  

 

One clarification, grade braking is always enabled or at least available.  In tow mode it becomes active MUCH sooner.  I use this even if I’m not towing but going down long/steep grades.  

 

[1SLOW1500]

Depend on what trans and year truck. Gm made a few quick changes because of trans issues.
But tow mode changed shift demand tables in both rpm and throttle %. Lock up is changed and line pressure at shift to stay in the slip table for the torque management.
Issue everyone needs to know is doesn't mean shittt if you get to the HOT trans tables. Then all that trans pattern is not use and normal(x) is also not used you go to limp mod.

Oh hot table is set at 212* trans temp.
And some people are reporting 200-209* in hot day normal driving. So much less do just look yourself.

Tow is designed to assist the driver not over work the engine with changes to the trans would reduce the wear. So I would based it on how hard to need to push the truck to move,stop, and shift.
I would use it around town and in a hillside area. On cruise on expressway no.

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[flyingfool]

it also works well while in V4 mode, keeps the motor from falling back onto 8 cylinders durring a gently grade

[Jacoby]

I tow a lot but I don’t use mine that often. With the Lew trans tune and the 4.56 gears I think when slowing down it down shifts way to hard and way to soon.  If towing heavy and in hilly terrain I’ll use it but most the time I dont

[sk]

This isn't a big deal but it also changes the lane change blinker time.  If you move your turn signal slightly (it's spring loaded so it will bounce back to center) it will flash 3 times in "normal" mode and 7 times in tow/haul mode.

[bdbake01]

3 minutes ago, sk said:

This isn't a big deal but it also changes the lane change blinker time.  If you move your turn signal slightly (it's spring loaded so it will bounce back to center) it will flash 3 times in "normal" mode and 7 times in tow/haul mode.

This is true.  But I could have sworn mine (‘14) only does 6?

[Beer Belly]

9 hours ago, Darmichar said:

Hell, I turn mine on almost every time I get in the truck, but I definitely turn it on when I'm pulling my boat.  The shift points are more realistic with tow mode turned on and the transmission 'hunts' less.

Yep, same here, everytime it starts I hit the button

[1SLOW1500]

Yep, same here, everytime it starts I hit the button[emoji41]

You need to learn you demand shift points. You should know without thinking based on rpm,pedal feel and noise when truck will shift. And how much more or less will allow the shift.
Not trying to be a jerk but it would help you ton.

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[Beer Belly]

8 hours ago, 1SLOW1500 said:

You need to learn you demand shift points. You should know without thinking based on rpm,pedal feel and noise when truck will shift. And how much more or less will allow the shift.
Not trying to be a jerk but it would help you ton.

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The truck seems to be more peppy in Tow / Haul mode. Without Tow / Haul mode, there have been times where I've switched lanes, or some other maneuver where I tried to accelerate quickly, and the truck seemed to bog, drop one gear, then another before finally moving out, Tow / Haul seems to just drop a gear and go.....and I never consider someone giving their view, or advice, a jerk....no problem here.