Tow / Haul???
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From: Kasilof
Tow / Haul???
I'll apologize in advance if this is a dumb question but... We have started out on our journey across the US on our way to AK. I'm pulling a 35' 5th Wheel and wanted to ask, should I be pulling with the Tow/Haul engaged all the time during this trip or just in certain situations? If just for certain situations, what would these be? Also, can someone explain to me exactly how this feature works... What's it suppose to help the motor/transmission do or not do? I just want to make sure I have all of my ducks in a row for the trip. Thanks in advance guys!
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Georgia
I'll apologize in advance if this is a dumb question but... We have started out on our journey across the US on our way to AK. I'm pulling a 35' 5th Wheel and wanted to ask, should I be pulling with the Tow/Haul engaged all the time during this trip or just in certain situations? If just for certain situations, what would these be? Also, can someone explain to me exactly how this feature works... What's it suppose to help the motor/transmission do or not do? I just want to make sure I have all of my ducks in a row for the trip. Thanks in advance guys!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 950
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From: Waco, Texas
I think it a preference of the driver on what is comfortable. I usually use tow/haul when I hook up and keep it on till I unhook. I have tried it with out tow/haul engaged on several occasions and transmission temps went a bit up so I always go back to tow/haul. I don't necessarily see a difference in fuel economy. Tow/haul is a little annoying if you are wanting to coast as the engine will start braking. Some say you have to hit the brake for that to happen, but my truck will do it if it starts coasting for 5 seconds then it will downshift as if it senses going down a hill. StanleyZ has been doing it a long time and I take his comments as experience talking, that means a lot to me.
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From: Frederick, MD
I run tow/haul when towing anything signifcant as well. I just leave it on.
tow/haul changes your shift points, longer between shifts. Still lets you get to the top gear, still lets cruise control function.
It does provide a bit of engine braking as well. It will tend to downshift when braking as others have pointed out.
Using cruise control when towing heavy is the only way to go.
tow/haul changes your shift points, longer between shifts. Still lets you get to the top gear, still lets cruise control function.
It does provide a bit of engine braking as well. It will tend to downshift when braking as others have pointed out.
Using cruise control when towing heavy is the only way to go.
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From: Kasilof
Thanks Guys! I appreciate the feedback! I did not use T/H at all on day 1 and could tell my turbos were working pretty hard that day. I used T/H most of the day yesterday and she seemed to pull a lot better. Fuel economy was close to the same both days. So far hauling the camper I'm getting around 10mpg on average. It's not great but it's not too bad given the load. Like you mentioned, I have noticed that the downshift on hills can be kind of rough as the motors rpms rev to 3k+ to help slow the load. I'm assuming that's ok and is functioning as it should.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Waco, Texas
10 mpg, thats sounds right! When I get into long climbs and long descents, such as really long hills, I take it out of cruise and manually use the peddle but still in tow/haul. I guess I feel better and can tend to feel it more without the cruise. Now, normal Texas terrain, I cruise it most of the time in tow/haul.
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tow/haul mode
I retired from BorgWarner R&D where we built and tested the clutches for almost every transmission in the US.
The tow/haul mode works by extending the shift intervals so the engine works in a higher RPM range until Overdrive kicks in. (usually a little higher speed than out of TH.) It also has a sensor to help it down shift faster in down hill or panic situations. I've used it without the rig when driving thru mountains and it works great.
Also don't manually down shift, thats old school. The onboard computer can handle everything faster and more efficiently than you can. It's not easy after all the years we've been told to down shift manually but trust me.
The tow/haul mode works by extending the shift intervals so the engine works in a higher RPM range until Overdrive kicks in. (usually a little higher speed than out of TH.) It also has a sensor to help it down shift faster in down hill or panic situations. I've used it without the rig when driving thru mountains and it works great.
Also don't manually down shift, thats old school. The onboard computer can handle everything faster and more efficiently than you can. It's not easy after all the years we've been told to down shift manually but trust me.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Washington,KS/Lincoln,NE
Tow/Haul on when towing anything with any weight at all. The only time I cancel tow/haul is on descents where I don't care if it goes a little faster without applying engine braking. It'll save your torque converter on a heavy haul.
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