I recently bought a used 2012 F-350. It has the 6.7L that is factory spec set-up for 15,000lb bumper tow and 21,000lb 5th wheel tow. The user manual states when towing or hauling I should put the truck in tow/haul mode. My question is should I be doing that all the time? I very rarely tow at the max, in fact my trailer empty is only 4,000lb. Is there some recommend weight level where I can still tow in normal setting without using tow/haul mode?

 

This has been asked many times. You can use it or not either way. I personally use it everytime I tow. Ford designed it that way why not use it it's only a button to push.

 

The purpose of Tow/Haul is to make the driving experience better when towing. If you like how it operates in Tow/Haul, use it. If not, don't use it. The truck is designed to be durable either way. You won't hurt it towing at ANY weight with it on or off.

 

I'd use it. I use tow/haul mode in the hills and mountains bobtailing. I use mine towing all the time.

I also have a scanguage II and will keep an eye on transmission temperature when pulling too. I'm running a 2006.

 

I live in hilly western PA and when I when hauling 2 tons of rock and I notice a noticeable and positive difference.

 

Agaree with all statement above about tow/haul. Your EGT's will be lower by using it in hilly country and your brakes will last MUCH longer also when using it while towing/hauling heavy loads.

OH! You will learn quickly that by tapping th brakes while slowing down that the transmission will help you a LOT ! It will downshift allowing you to NOT hit the brakes so hard. And the tranny LOVES it !

 

Funny how I just answered a similar question over at https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-camper-2.html a few minutes ago. The answer works perfectly here except for where I changed a "2" to a "4":

Definitely use it. That's what it's there for. With 4,000+ pounds on the back and the extra frontal area it is good to change the logic in favor of pushing all of this around. Automatic engine braking is icing on the cake. As for manual shifting, this is handy especially when the truck sees that the grade is leveling off, but you can see it getting steep again in a few hundred feet . . . no need for it to upshift just to downshift a few seconds later.