Depends on what you are towing, terrain, winds, etc. I will lock out gears as soon as I see it is hunting. Most of the time on flat ground mine will hold 6th gear no problem. If I have a head wind I will lock it out. There was one trip I took with high winds that I had to lock out 5th and 6th. Even running in 4th at 60mph against the wind my mileage wasn't too bad. The rpm was around 3k if I remember. Haven't done much driving let alone towing this year as on our first camping trip I had a disk blow out in my neck paralyzing my left shoulder and bicep. I had surgery on it in July and have been in a cervical collar since. I have been off work since May. What a waste of a great summer.

 

I wish you a good recovery, I was a mechanic for a Ford dealer and I rip a tendon in my left shoulder , after surgery I ad to retired from mechanic. After teaching mechanic in school for two years , I decide to retired for good. I live in Mont-Tremblant Quebec and pass the winter at West Palm Beach florida in my fifth wheel Montana. I order a new truck this summer 2012 F350 dually 6.2L 4.30 axle 4x2 but the sale manager who is a good friend of mine make a mistake and when I see the window sticker, it a 3.73 axle. He told me try it and if you dont like it we change the gears .

 

I won't have to retire, but I will probably need to change positions when I go back. I am still three years away from being able to retire early if I can. I'm only 52 right now. I would like to keep going at my current company until about 57.

 

I just towed my 4K lb sawmill for a couple of hundred miles flat land. 13 mpg @ 55 mph. Any increase in speed resulted in a decrease in mpg.

I have no idea what slower speed would have done, because I needed to get where I was going.

 

It is really better than my sold f350 2002 v10 , 12.5 mpg @ 65 mph empty

 

Update:

Went out again this past weekend with same setup. SD did GREAT once again...and really impressed me.

All driven in Tow /Haul Mode:
Hit a different mountain trail system this time around. Going up to location...no issues. Actually...truck pulled hard! It was the descent that was interesting.

Went up one side...but went down the other side of the mountain. O-boy...better hold on too! The side I went down was steep with 7% and 10% grades, horseshoe pin turns at 2-5mph...and in some locations the hwy road looked just about as wide as the sidewalk. Steep cliff sides one of the sides most of the way down.

Here is where the tranny, brake controller, and other systems of the truck worked hardest. It was very interesting...as I braked on those really steep descents...that the tranny was VERY aggressive in down shifting. I mean...down to 2nd gear with rpm's at 4500rpm plus. Then...it didn't want to shift up to 3rd for a very long time.

It was a very interesting experience coming down off the mountain...but never did I feel that I was out of control. The truck definitely...wanted to handle all situations as for the FORD engineers planned with its progamming.

I'm still very impressed with the overall efficiency of the SD! Oh yeah...heading out again this weekend!


biz

 

I prefer to put the transmission in manual mode descending grades as I find the factory programming too aggressive for my taste.

 

Agreed Super08. Absolutely...next time around...I'll test it with the M mode. The factory programming is definitely aggressive! One time...it pulled everyone forward as it down shifted into 2nd. Glad had the seat belts on! LOL!


biz

 

Second that about the downshifting I learned to put it in manual when doing hills up and down.

 

I agree also in that agressive down shifting.

I plan on taking it out of tow haul on the long grades when i have to lightly apply the brakes occassionally. We will see.

 

I would hate to have it in tow mode on any kind of slick road surface. I would think it would put you in the ditch pretty quick if it was icy or muddy.

 

Update:

More towing with my setup...and getting more familiar with the the 6.2L SD. Yes...I am learning to better control and ease the towing experience.

Interstate and highway driving used the Tow/Haul mode. Keeping posted speed limits...or max of 70mph. Non-issue...and a pure pleasure.

Climbing up the mountain passes (elevations of 10,000 thru 11,000 ft)...I just use Tow/Haul mode...and lock out the appropriate higher gears. Usually nothing lower than 4th...so just 5th and 6th are locked.

This time around...decending the area...I used "M" manual mode. What a difference! I kept it in 3rd and 4th most of the way down. Used the brakes only when needed (not very much)...and the tranny did the rest.

For fun...going up one of the steepest mountain passes...I had the pedal to the floor...and the 6.2L did not upset. I rev'd up close to 5k...in 2nd gear...and pulled the passes with ease. I was very impressed...and had a grin all the way up! Now...just so you know...I don't normally run that hard...but wanted to test it out. No disappointment here!

The 6.2L, 6R140 tranny, and 4.30 gears...are a perfect match for my needs!


biz

 

biz you ever hang with the Mustang crowd?

 

Good tow report biz enjoyed reading your posts ...
thanks for sharing.
Mike

 

What's a Mustang??? ha-ha j/k. Nope don't hang with them nice folks...and should I be afraid to ask???


biz