Tow/haul Mode?

Irv · June 7, 2009

In a couple of weeks I will be hauling a full size Yamaha Grizzly atv, my son's 90 E-Ton atv, a utility trailer, lots of gear, clothing, 2 5gal gas cans, cooler full of food, beer etc to our trailer.

This is the first vehicle that I have owned with the Tow/Haul mode so I am curious when I need to use it and when I don't?

I will be travelling approx 10 miles in stop and go traffic then about 40 miles of some what hilly hwy with a speed limit of about 80km/H (I usually travel at about 110-120km/h) then another 30 mile of 2 lane hwy, somewhat hilly as well?

Do I use Tow/Haul mode the entire way or just in the traffic, slower stop and go areas?

I am guessing my total weight would be approx 1400-1600lbs give or take fully loaded included passengers and a full tank of gas?

Also in the winter I tow a fully enclosed aluminum snowmobile trailer (Sno-Pro) with 2 full size Polaris sleds, gear extra gas etc (approx 1200lbs?) Do I need to use Tow/Haul mode for this little bit of extra weight or just 3rd and 4th gears?

On my 97 I would use 3rd then switch to 4th(O.D) when I got rolling and I never had a problem. Thanks.........Irv

Rons05z71 · June 7, 2009

I dont know if thats enough weight to have to use it. But since its such a long drive you will have plenty of time to try different things and see what works good.

FargoZ71 · June 7, 2009

1/2 ton, I would with any trailers over a utility cart.. Technically I don't think it will be needed until around 3500lbs. It just keeps the tranny cooler while shifting by increasing the rpms, so, with my weak ass 460e i'll use it everytime to try and preserve.

georgecdisc · June 7, 2009

Give it a try, see how well it works. Going through any kind of hilly areas I find it most beneficial so shifting does not keep happening. Better to stay in 3rd the entire time instead of doing 4th to 2nd gear down shifts when the grade increases. Stop and go traffic and cruising highway it probably isn't all that necessary.

FargoZ71 · June 7, 2009

Give it a try, see how well it works. Going through any kind of hilly areas I find it most beneficial so shifting does not keep happening. Better to stay in 3rd the entire time instead of doing 4th to 2nd gear down shifts when the grade increases. Stop and go traffic and cruising highway it probably isn't all that necessary.

I dissagree, Install a tranny temp gauge and watch that shit climb in stop and go traffic. Always spikes in our 03 Dodge cummings pulling a skidsteer. On a flat highway would be the only time i'd turn it off.. I'm paranoid though.

c4cruiser · June 7, 2009

You most likely won't need it with that amount of weight especially in city traffic. I would also keep the shift lever in the OD position until you get into the hills.

I tow 5400 lbs and I use T/H mode. I'll leave the shifter in OD when I 'm on flat parts of freeways but go down to 3rd for grades or hills.

georgecdisc · June 7, 2009

Give it a try, see how well it works. Going through any kind of hilly areas I find it most beneficial so shifting does not keep happening. Better to stay in 3rd the entire time instead of doing 4th to 2nd gear down shifts when the grade increases. Stop and go traffic and cruising highway it probably isn't all that necessary.

I dissagree, Install a tranny temp gauge and watch that shit climb in stop and go traffic. Always spikes in our 03 Dodge cummings pulling a skidsteer. On a flat highway would be the only time i'd turn it off.. I'm paranoid though.

But for the amount of weight he wants to tow it shouldn't be a problem.

Irv · June 7, 2009

You most likely won't need it with that amount of weight especially in city traffic. I would also keep the shift lever in the OD position until you get into the hills.

I tow 5400 lbs and I use T/H mode. I'll leave the shifter in OD when I 'm on flat parts of freeways but go down to 3rd for grades or hills.

That's just the thing, and the reason why I asked this question; in the manual it doesn't say at what weight you should use or not use the tow/haul mode?

I assume some common sense would come in the equation and I know I am not pulling a lot of weight but just had to be sure.

I have the tranny temp gauge in the DIC so I will be sure to keep an eye on it and see what happens, I have only been able to get my tranny up to 56c so far(been cool too) and only travelled 24km's so it will be interesting to see how hot it does get pulling the things I mentioned?

Any harm in playing with it as I go, will it hurt anything or is it ok to be turning it off and on on the fly? Just thinking to myself, once I turn it on when I am loaded and moving I should just leave it there? Thanks everyone for your replies

georgecdisc · June 7, 2009

You most likely won't need it with that amount of weight especially in city traffic. I would also keep the shift lever in the OD position until you get into the hills.

I tow 5400 lbs and I use T/H mode. I'll leave the shifter in OD when I 'm on flat parts of freeways but go down to 3rd for grades or hills.

That's just the thing, and the reason why I asked this question; in the manual it doesn't say at what weight you should use or not use the tow/haul mode?

I assume some common sense would come in the equation and I know I am not pulling a lot of weight but just had to be sure.

I have the tranny temp gauge in the DIC so I will be sure to keep an eye on it and see what happens, I have only been able to get my tranny up to 56c so far(been cool too) and only travelled 24km's so it will be interesting to see how hot it does get pulling the things I mentioned?

Any harm in playing with it as I go, will it hurt anything or is it ok to be turning it off and on on the fly? Just thinking to myself, once I turn it on when I am loaded and moving I should just leave it there? Thanks everyone for your replies

Turning it on and off will have no negative effects. It just changes the shift points on the transmission, so that way you aren't constantly down shifting. 56c is not very hot at all, anything below 180 F (82 C) is on the safe side. With the weight you are towing it shouldn't even get this high (depends on outside temperature too).

brims · June 7, 2009

That's just the thing, and the reason why I asked this question; in the manual it doesn't say at what weight you should use or not use the tow/haul mode?
I assume some common sense would come in the equation and I know I am not pulling a lot of weight but just had to be sure.

I have the tranny temp gauge in the DIC so I will be sure to keep an eye on it and see what happens, I have only been able to get my tranny up to 56c so far(been cool too) and only travelled 24km's so it will be interesting to see how hot it does get pulling the things I mentioned?

Any harm in playing with it as I go, will it hurt anything or is it ok to be turning it off and on on the fly? Just thinking to myself, once I turn it on when I am loaded and moving I should just leave it there? Thanks everyone for your replies

The manual really lacks information on how to tow. It seems like they don't want to tell you "tow in x gear with a 4 speed or y gear with a 6 speed" they let you figure it out and if you blow the tranny, it's your fault, not theirs. Sounds stupid to me.

Turning it on and off will have no negative effects. It just changes the shift points on the transmission, so that way you aren't constantly down shifting. 56c is not very hot at all, anything below 180 F (82 C) is on the safe side. With the weight you are towing it shouldn't even get this high (depends on outside temperature too).

I've had my trans up to 194F with it 94F outside, granted I was going about 80 MPH. But it seemed a little high to me for what I was doing.

ujtruck · June 7, 2009

1st check your transmission oil level, (hint: my 2007 came from the factory tranny oil low, so I add more...+ more but don't over fill)

if you load up your truck - bed / attach a trailler then use tow/haul button - because it will help transmission to lock ON to a gear and stay there (means - will burn little more gas, however transmission will last longer).

your choice = make the right one.

Irv · June 7, 2009

That's just the thing, and the reason why I asked this question; in the manual it doesn't say at what weight you should use or not use the tow/haul mode?
I assume some common sense would come in the equation and I know I am not pulling a lot of weight but just had to be sure.

I have the tranny temp gauge in the DIC so I will be sure to keep an eye on it and see what happens, I have only been able to get my tranny up to 56c so far(been cool too) and only travelled 24km's so it will be interesting to see how hot it does get pulling the things I mentioned?

Any harm in playing with it as I go, will it hurt anything or is it ok to be turning it off and on on the fly? Just thinking to myself, once I turn it on when I am loaded and moving I should just leave it there? Thanks everyone for your replies

The manual really lacks information on how to tow. It seems like they don't want to tell you "tow in x gear with a 4 speed or y gear with a 6 speed" they let you figure it out and if you blow the tranny, it's your fault, not theirs. Sounds stupid to me.

Turning it on and off will have no negative effects. It just changes the shift points on the transmission, so that way you aren't constantly down shifting. 56c is not very hot at all, anything below 180 F (82 C) is on the safe side. With the weight you are towing it shouldn't even get this high (depends on outside temperature too).

I've had my trans up to 194F with it 94F outside, granted I was going about 80 MPH. But it seemed a little high to me for what I was doing.

Thanks for all the replies, I am sure the reason GM doesn't actually list the weights one should/should not use it is due to liability reasons? I assume it would open a whole new can of worms with claims etc because people would say I didn't have the weight you said I needed to use so I didn't, too many varibles come into affect like outside temp, hilly terrain, actual weight of load etc?

I will play and see what happens?

Also knowing my new 09 5.3 has a lot more power than my previous 97 5.7, towing something should be much easier on the componets?

Irv · June 7, 2009

1st check your transmission oil level, (hint: my 2007 came from the factory tranny oil low, so I add more...+ more but don't over fill)

if you load up your truck - bed / attach a trailler then use tow/haul button - because it will help transmission to lock ON to a gear and stay there (means - will burn little more gas, however transmission will last longer).

your choice = make the right one.

I have read about the tranny oil levels but I have yet to get it to the proper range(temp) in order to determine if it is low or right on the money?

I agree, a little more gas consumption is much cheaper than a new transmission! But not having it before and not knowing when to use it or not use it is the confusing part? Like stated above, I will just have to do some trial and error testing to find out what works best for the weights I carry..

FlamesZ71 · June 7, 2009

I'll pipe up quickly. I was on another Chevy Forum, and someone mentioned that you shouldn't use Tow/Haul Mode unless your at 75% of your GVW. Don't know if it's true or not. I've noticed that when I use Tow/Haul, it raises the RPM by a little bit, but seems to pull fine on the highways. In town towing, I'll use 3rd gear, and that's it.

If I'm towing on a highway, I'll leave it in OD w/ Tow/Haul, but drop it into 3rd when going up hills. Or even try leaving it in 3rd w/ Tow/Haul, and see how that goes. No harm in trying it out