Tow / Haul Mode
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 74
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Tow / Haul Mode
Can someone help me understand the benifits of tow / haul mode? I did a comparison between using normal mode and tow haul mode and found that my MPG was better with tow/haul off. My truck is an 18 F350 diesel SRW and seems to tow my 11k Lb fifth wheel just fine regardless of the mode. Am I missing something? Why use tow haul mode? For information purposes I was towing on mostly flat Delaware highways and back roads, nothing challenging. I did a quick search to try to find an answer but couldn't really find anything more detailed than how it changes the shift points and holds the lower gears longer.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
In general, it can help going down long hills by effectively braking using the transmission
going up long hills, it will prevent constantly searching for a gear (ie: shifting into 4th then bogging down and going back to 3rd)
I always have it on when plowing
going up long hills, it will prevent constantly searching for a gear (ie: shifting into 4th then bogging down and going back to 3rd)
I always have it on when plowing
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
I just got back from a trip through hilly highways and small east Texas towns. I put the truck in tow/haul and let the computer do its thing. On hills with enough grade, it downshifted to pull my 5th wheel (about the same weight as yours) up the hill with ease. It maintained almost perfect speed. When slowing down in the small towns, one tap of the brakes and the transmission helped slow the whole rig down with very little use of the brakes.
So in sort, it finds and keeps the gear needed when needed, and downshifts as necessary to help slow your rig down. On relatively flat roads you are correct. You may never need it. But it doesn't do any harm either having it ready.
So in sort, it finds and keeps the gear needed when needed, and downshifts as necessary to help slow your rig down. On relatively flat roads you are correct. You may never need it. But it doesn't do any harm either having it ready.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: SWFL
I’ve been confused by this as well since blowing up a transmission on Dodge diesel pulling a 4 car trailer. We told the trans guy that we were in tow/haul mode. He exclaimed that “you never use tow/haul, everyone should know that.”
So so I drove a 2011 Suburban with too much trailer for 117k never using tow/haul. Seemed to work out just fine.
Now with the F450, I’m using tow/haul since it feels better. BWTFDIK. Tow/haul may still be an evil design, I don’t know. And yes, I’ve read how it’s better since it shifts harder and quicker and thereby supposed to wear the bands less. But the temps were always higher on the old 2500 suburban in tow/haul.
So so I drove a 2011 Suburban with too much trailer for 117k never using tow/haul. Seemed to work out just fine.
Now with the F450, I’m using tow/haul since it feels better. BWTFDIK. Tow/haul may still be an evil design, I don’t know. And yes, I’ve read how it’s better since it shifts harder and quicker and thereby supposed to wear the bands less. But the temps were always higher on the old 2500 suburban in tow/haul.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
Tow haul adjusts the transmission upshift and downshift RPMs, it optimizes cooling, and keeps the torque converter locked. Why wouldn’t you use it? For the load and actual road, I doubt there is any improvement in MPG as it would only be on the margin when under load for the few minutes it hasn’t upshifted to the next gear in a whole trip. Read the manual, your experience may vary. The mechanic that said n very use was an idiot.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 14
From: Central Ky.
I talked to a transmission rebuilder a few years ago, he said never tow without using tow/haul mode. He said hes seen many that have gotten hot and/or had premature clutch wear from not using it. Who cares about fuel mileage when towing, the truck is working hard, that's what it's designed to do.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,477
Likes: 4,069
From: Raceland, La.
I've always used mine when towing. Better braking and control...use the exhaust braking system too.
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Laughing Gas
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Tow/Haul on my old 04 F250 was very noticeable. It made a big difference in shift points. On this new truck I can’t really tell much difference as far as trans operation but I still use it anyway just out of habit.
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