Tow/Haul

sctiger · August 10, 2004

What exactly does the Tow/Haul mode do and when do you need to use it?

Shaners · August 10, 2004

Tow/haul increases line pressure for firmer shifts, and it also moves the shift further out into the power band (more RPM's).

It works well when carrying near max payload, or when towing heavier loads.

CaZca · August 10, 2004

Does this make your gas milage crappy?

deepdiver1950 · August 10, 2004

It makes towing easier on the truck. It probably does affect gas mileage.

One piece of information, the truck will still shift into overdrive while in the towing mode.

GONZO · August 10, 2004

couldn't tell you if it effects fuel economy since when i use it i'm usually hauling the camper or towing a trailer and mpg is down anyway.

you can notice a differance in shifting with it on. it will try to limit the busy shifting associated with towing. i believe (no 1st hand experience) with the alison when going down a grade you can tap the brake and it will downshift to help use engine braking.

SteveCZ · August 11, 2004

Here's another question relating to the Tow / Haul Button.....

I've used it when towing a 18 foot open bow boat, and when towing the sleds (2 of them) up north, it helps hold the gear nicely up the hills to the Adirondacks...

What I'm wondering is, I have to haul a "lovely" U-Haul 6x12 enclosed trailer from Central New York to Philly PA.... obviously there are some serious mountains in PA that I will be going up and down, and I don't want to fry the tranny....

The Trailer won't be loaded down much, just some bulky items.... I was going to use Tow / Haul to hold the RPMs when going up grade, but I know once I hit around 62 or so, it will shift to overdrive until it senses too much load on the truck.

Should I keep it in Over Drive with this load or just leave it in 3rd and watch the gas gauge go down down down?

rdnkcpa · August 11, 2004

Leave it in 3rd. A couple of tanks of gas is cheaper than a new transmission. Better to be safe than sorry.

RyanZ71 · August 11, 2004

Mountains in PA? please. you want mountains, come to Colorado

hawghunter · August 11, 2004

The above are great descriptions of Tow Haul mode.

Does it decrease gas milage, you betcha if you watch your tach you will be cruising almost 500 over your usual.

As for pulling hills third gear is great, it holds gears as long as you dont try to go over 60 mph and gives you back pressure when coming down grades. Less braking and more driving.