I am about to take a long trip into the Rocky Mountain National Park/Estes Park, and I want to make sure as I tow my 10,000 pd 5th wheel with my 2014 F250 6.7 that while in Tow Haul that it is ok that the transmission on steep hills downshifts into 2nd? There are times in the past when I have been towing my trailer and I am heading downhill the transmission goes into 2nd gear and makes me a bit nervous, not sure if I should go into manual and down/upshift manually?

Would love to hear your thoughts..

 

Its fine. All it's doing is using the engine/ trans to help control speed. if you pick up too much speed it will upshift on it's own. If your foot is off the gas all the engine/trans is doing is spinning with no pressure on it.

 

Go ahead engage your tow haul and lock gears out you won't hurt the transmission it was built to hold your speed down along with the 6.7 engine brake.

 

Thank you so much, this really helps...

 

Thank you I really appreciate this,,,

 

I like to use the cruise control also. When I'm approaching a steep downhill section, there is usually a reduced speed limit sign for the truckers.....say 45 mph for the downhill. As I get close to the top, I'll reduce the speed, via the C.C. to 45 and let it re-engage at that speed. Between the cruise, the tow haul mode, and the engine braking, I usually never have to touch the brake pedal. It's an awesome system, let it do what it's supposed to do.

 

You actually made the transmission drop down into 2nd by hitting the brake. If you do as xrated says and set your cruise control to a reasonable speed, it will maintain that set speed without dropping into those real low gears. Beautifully designed tranny !

 

For getting up to Estes Park from the east be sure you check the road reports. Big Thompson Canyon closes for road work at times. You may need to go through Lyons instead of through Loveland.

Yes, use Tow/Haul. Save your brakes.

 

The computer knows what it's doing. It cannot shift to a gear that will overspeed the engine. All of that has been calculated and tested. If you let it automatically shift itself it will never get into an unsafe zone.

 

I really like using the engine brake on "auto," which is like "on," but adding automatic descent cruise-control. I've descended 6% for over a mile at 26K GCW without touching my brake.

 

Engine brake on auto? What am I missing?

 

'17'+ trucks have more buttons for control over of the systems

 

Why not? Engine brakes work well with an auto.

 

Thank you, I never imagined it was okay to use cruise control while going downhill!! Thank you,,,

 

Thank you, is one direction easier pulling a 35 ft 5th wheel than the other