I have a 2008 F-250 Lariat 6.4 PS diesel. I use it to tow a 9000 lb (fully loaded) RV travel trailer. This is comfortably within the towing capacity of the truck.

My question is... Should I use the tow/haul mode all the time, while towing the RV or, just when in hills or mountainous terrain. I do always use the tow/haul in mountainous terrain as it is amazing how well the truck manages descents, even 10%'ers. I use my brakes more driving through town than going down a 10% grade.

Any advise would be helpful... Thanks

 

I say use it. The shift strategies and firmness are adjusted for being loaded and it helps things run cooler in the trans itself.

 

I say use it where you like it and turn it off when you don't like it. The trans was designed to be just fine with the tow/haul on or off. It is ONLY there to make driving the truck better. If you don't like what it's doing, turn it off.

 

I'd say it makes it safer as well. In a panic stop situation are you going to remember to hit the button to turn it on so the truck will downshift and help you slow down?

 

I always ran it for anything over about 5K.

Using the tow/haul and cruise control combined made towing cross country easy

 

My thought has always been if you got it, use it. I use it for just about anything over 5k, and sometimes under 5k if it is a live load.

 

I also use it and for sudden stops makes my life easier.

 

My old duramax had a digital transmission slip guage as part of the programmer display. There is a noticeable difference in non tow haul to using tow haul mode. The few times I forgot to set it towing my rv I looked at the torque converter slip and thought the trans was going because not 8-12% slippage, push the tow haul button and the converter would lock to 0-1% slippage. Less slippage lease heat longer life after seeing that I use it for anything over my ATV trailer just to be safe. Hard to feel the difference but when you see it on a digital read out there really is a reason to use it.

 

your mileage will suffer using it. But, If you are hauling, have a load, or even slowing down minimize braking, it keeps you in better control over your vehicle by limiting transmission slip, and holding gears a little longer and firmer shifting. basically it is accounting for the extra weight.

 

Does that difference in slip happen on a Ford, too? Hint: I know the answer, do you? How is what happens in a GM relevant to how the Ford works?

 

YOU, YOU, EXPERTS YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just cuz you designed it, what would you know ?!?! Just kidding of course


BUT I liked your first answer
If you like what it does, turn it on, if you don't like it, turn it off - pretty much covers it since it's an OPTIONAL feature !

LOVE the Manu-auto switching especially while towing !
And yes, once you get into the habit, hitting the tow haul button DOES become second nature when panic stopping, don't you train your foot to hit the brakes ? Why can't your fingers be trained too - or is multi-tasking not possible - TeeHee ?


BUT would be nice to be able to set it where I could make it act like tow haul on hard braking automatically - that would make it better than perfect !

 

Mark Kovalsky, I don't know if a ford is the same as a duramax when tow haul is engaged but excuse me for offering some personal experience. I am very aware that this is a ford forum as I am on here because I OWN a ford. The advice you gave in this post was so insightfull. Hint,if someone is helping and not giving completely false misleading info then keep the wanna be cheap shots to yourself. Use it or don't in your own truck I don't care but the slight decrease in fuel economy is cheap insurance.