i have a simple question... or at least i thought it was! we purchased a 2005 f250 for the extra suspinsion and towing. 38,000 mi. 928 engine hrs. 5 speed auto trans. this is it... when engaging tow/haul, no matter what speed ( we DO NOT tow any faster than 60mph.) it should instantly show a change in rpms. i was told that it has a window of between 53 and 55mph that it will engage. if it is ON COMMAND, then why would there be a window for this to work? for comparison, we had an f150 and no matter what speed it instantly changed on command. is that not what the button is for, to tell the truck to shift into low mode?

 

Well, first of all, welcome to FTE!

I just traded a 2005 F-250 with the 6.0 and the TorqShift. With the TS, when you press the Tow/Haul button on the end of the shifter, it does a few things. It changes the shift points in the tranny to hold gears longer when accelerating and downshift itself when decelerating. It doesn't really send the truck into a "low mode".

The purpose of the change in the shift points is to help the engine stay in its "sweet spot" longer when climbing hills while towing in order to try to maintain speed. Conversely, it also downshifts as you're decelerating or coming down a hill.

As far as any speed requirements go, there are none that I'm aware of. I've used my T/H mode at low speeds, high speeds, and all speeds in between. The only speed sensitive components I'm aware of with regard to that would be the ESOF (electronic shift on the fly) 4WD. It is generally recommended that you not shift into 4WD at speeds any higher than about 55 MPH. I've used my T/H mode pulling about 8,000 pounds of mulch and climbing a steep hill on a two-lane country road and it was great. It held each gear right where it should have and downshifted flawlessly coming down the other side. I've also used it towing a car and trailer at interstate speeds in the mountains here with the same results.

One word of caution though......if you're driving in 2WD in the snow, make sure you've got the Tow/Haul disabled. If not, you'll find it downshifting and as soon as it does, you'll find yourself sliding around with the back wheels and trying to play catch up with the front as it downshifts. Believe me, I know.

Just to clarify, the button on the end of the shifter stalk is for the Tow/Haul mode in the transmission. The switch on the dash (if you have it) is to engage the 4WD. It doesn't matter what speed you're traveling when you hit the Tow/Haul button......it will just tell the truck's computer to change the shift strategies. Shifting into 4WD should be accomplished while traveling no faster than 55 MPH.

Hope that makes sense.

 

there are parts changers and there are mechanics... a mechanic can tell whats wrong with your vehicle, a parts changer does just what his title say's... change parts. the guy that test drove my truck said it wasn't working right because i wasn't going the right speed. in response to that i told him not to insult my intelligence because i was a woman and that it was a shame a transmission had out smarted him! thank you for varifying that i was correct about my tow/haul not engaging properly!
DEB D

 

You're welcome Deb.

Best of luck getting things straightened out on your truck. If you have nay questions about the truck itself, drop down to the Super Duty forum and post a thread about it. Likewise, if you experience any engine problems or have any questions about your specific engine, drop down to the forum index page and find the forum that pertains to your engine. From there, select the correct forum and ask away.

 

Nothing to add here. I use my tow/haul the minute I get in the truck. I find that when towing and it is engaged it helps to hold the load at 65 mph. Less gear hunting means lower tranny temps.

 

Don't forget, once tranny /vehicle is up past 55, it will be the same as NOT in tow/haul.

If you ARE towing something that has trailer brakes and you have to make an emergency stop, you will instantly realize how nice this feature is!!!