Tow/Haul mode
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 99
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From: Acworth, Ga
Tow/Haul mode
Has anyone else noticed the really aggressive downshifting in tow/haul mode? Mine will downshift to 4000 and even as high as 5000rpm's when I get on the brakes. What frustrates me the most about it is going down a hill it will start downshifting without tapping the brakes when my 2011 ecoboost would not downshift until you tapped the brakes once. It was nice to be able to coast down a long hill! The downshifting on the 2011 was much less aggressive, too. I'm thinking these new truck are like this because of the increased trailer capacity...
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Yes, I've noticed it. We just spent 3 days driving Arkansas mountain roads and I used tow/haul extensively for the quicker downshifting on both uphill and down. But, the compression-braking is too aggressive in my opinion, so I'll try Sport or Manual modes in future. I saw 4000 RPM in several instances, like coming up to a downhill stop, and I didn't like all the noise nor the wear and tear on the equipment.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 99
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From: Acworth, Ga
Yes I agree. I don't mind a little downshifting, but 4k+ is just too much for me to handle. Even if the downhill downshifting was activated by tapping the brakes it would be much better. Speed up maybe 5mph with your foot off the gas and it starts! Id much rather do an extra brake job or two over the life of ownership than replace drivetrain components...
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,881
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From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
Yes I agree. I don't mind a little downshifting, but 4k+ is just too much for me to handle. Even if the downhill downshifting was activated by tapping the brakes it would be much better. Speed up maybe 5mph with your foot off the gas and it starts! Id much rather do an extra brake job or two over the life of ownership than replace drivetrain components...
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
I'll try manual next time coming down. Tow/Haul helps a bunch going uphill though. Yes, 1100 RPM is just too low for climbing as it takes too much throttle and eventually a downshift. Why not do it earlier and stay out of the throttle a bit more.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,881
Likes: 359
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
I find that I'm running about 1500-2000 RPM in 3rd gear a lot of the way. There are several switchbacks that require me to go to 2nd, and a few straightaways that allow up to 4th. However, keeping the RPM above 1500 is the general rule (for me on our mountain climb). As usual YMMV.
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Joined: May 2006
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Yes, it is crazy aggressive. The first time it happened, it really scared me. I thought that a 18 wheeler was running me over because the engine noise was so loud.... It was really weird, how it almost slams you to the window slowing down,
But, I really, really like it once I got used to it. I towed in light traffic with out T/H on. I really had to press hard on the brakes to stop my 7,000 lb boat before I ran into the guy in front. I turned T/H back on, and it made a huge difference in braking. I don't tow without having this button on anymore.
Crazy, I have just reached 3,000 miles on my Truck. I have towed my Four Winns boat almost 1,600 miles already, with another 400 miles coming up this weekend. This is why I jumped from the Expedition to the F-150, and I am very happy I did!
But, I really, really like it once I got used to it. I towed in light traffic with out T/H on. I really had to press hard on the brakes to stop my 7,000 lb boat before I ran into the guy in front. I turned T/H back on, and it made a huge difference in braking. I don't tow without having this button on anymore.
Crazy, I have just reached 3,000 miles on my Truck. I have towed my Four Winns boat almost 1,600 miles already, with another 400 miles coming up this weekend. This is why I jumped from the Expedition to the F-150, and I am very happy I did!
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I like the way T/H shifts - except for the compression braking part. So, I tried Sport today and was running 67 down the highway in 5th. Not 6th. 
I wish there was a way to tune T/H and/or Sport to my preferences.
I wish there was a way to tune T/H and/or Sport to my preferences.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2006
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I had an issue with my boat trailer. (Boat is about 6500 - 6800 lbs with load). I found out my trailer had a broken brake line, so I had no trailer brakes my last 1,000 miles or so towing the boat. I had to use T/H to stop my Truck, otherwise I really had to push on the brake petal to get this thing stopped.
So I can say from a bad experience, these Trucks can stop an almost 7,000 lbs trailer! What really is disappointing, is that the Truck really stopped very well, and I could not really tell that my trailer had no brakes at all. If I did not active T/H, then I knew my brakes were taxed, but not like what you would have thought. Bottom line, these Trucks have a lot of braking behind them, to stop your load. I am very confident with this braking ability that Ford has built into them.
So I can say from a bad experience, these Trucks can stop an almost 7,000 lbs trailer! What really is disappointing, is that the Truck really stopped very well, and I could not really tell that my trailer had no brakes at all. If I did not active T/H, then I knew my brakes were taxed, but not like what you would have thought. Bottom line, these Trucks have a lot of braking behind them, to stop your load. I am very confident with this braking ability that Ford has built into them.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,881
Likes: 359
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
Yahhhh. That has been a minor issue for us. Not a problem, just not used to brakes working that, um, positively...