"Locking out 6th"?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 64
Likes: 14
From: York County, ME
"Locking out 6th"?
In regard to towing a 5th wheel camper, I've seen several posters mention "locking out 6th gear". Haven't found any reference or how-to in the owners manual. Any documentation on the procedure or process?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,334
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From: Mills River
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,172
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From: Chaz
so you have instant throttle response and do not have issues with constant gear searching.
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Posting Guru
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From: Frederick, CO
It's probably worth your time to read up on these features to see how they complement one another.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 64
Likes: 14
From: York County, ME
Where can I find these features documented? I’ve used tow haul previously on my 2010 F250 but never heard of locking out a gear before. I want to use this truck safely for many years.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 241
Likes: 2
From: SW Washington
I'm with you there. Maybe it is because I am retired and not on the edge of needing instant power to get around the next 5th wheel or truck. But it is a nice feature if it is ever needed. I have yet or have shifting up and down like the old 4 cylinder cars with air conditioning used to do. I have a friend who uses it all the time to keep from needing to use his brakes. Sounds like a lot of extra work to me. With the exhaust brake and tow haul mode, I don't need the brakes often either. To each their own. Or old dog may learn a new trick someday.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,353
Likes: 4,388
From: SW VA
I lock out 6th every time I get in my truck. I only use 6th if I'm empty going over 45mph.
I also don't use tow/haul. I got real tired of it kicking down to 2nd gear at 5k RPM's every time I touched the brakes....then take 1/2 a mile to upshift again once on flat ground.
I want the ZF6 back...
I also don't use tow/haul. I got real tired of it kicking down to 2nd gear at 5k RPM's every time I touched the brakes....then take 1/2 a mile to upshift again once on flat ground.
I want the ZF6 back...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,334
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From: Mills River
Another application example would be to lock our sixth gear in an urban environment to keep the transmission from up shifting and causing the engine to lug.
Selecting TOW / HAUL changes the transmission shift algorithm. It typically delays upshifts and often uses transmission downshifts to assist with engine braking. It also revises the adaptive steering behavior.
These two features can work in tandem, at least on our truck. For example, TOW / HAUL still works if Progressive Range Select has been used to lock out one or more upper gears.
These features and others are described in the 2017 OM (v3) on pages 205 - 207.
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,077
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I generally try to let the truck worry about what gear it wants to be in and I sit back and sip Dr Pepper while munching on peanuts.
The one exception is while towing with cruise control in an area with rolling hills. Big mountains are no problem but rolling hills where the truck is constantly going up and down really seem to throw it into a tizzy. It’ll downshift climbing the hill then it’ll start to accelerate on the downhill so it backs off on the throttle. It makes it halfway up the next hill before it scrubs off enough speed to get to where I had it set in the first place. At that point it’s losing speed too fast to allow for gentle throttle pressure to continue up the hill so it’ll push it to the floor and downshift 2 or 3 gears all at once and scream the top of the hill only to start the whole thing over again as it crests that next hill. In those situations I can either lock out sixth or shut off the cruise. With all the sensors, bells and whistles on these things you’d think they’d figure out a way for the truck to anticipate a hill ahead. I’d happily do without massaging seats and rain sensing wipers if the truck could do that!
The one exception is while towing with cruise control in an area with rolling hills. Big mountains are no problem but rolling hills where the truck is constantly going up and down really seem to throw it into a tizzy. It’ll downshift climbing the hill then it’ll start to accelerate on the downhill so it backs off on the throttle. It makes it halfway up the next hill before it scrubs off enough speed to get to where I had it set in the first place. At that point it’s losing speed too fast to allow for gentle throttle pressure to continue up the hill so it’ll push it to the floor and downshift 2 or 3 gears all at once and scream the top of the hill only to start the whole thing over again as it crests that next hill. In those situations I can either lock out sixth or shut off the cruise. With all the sensors, bells and whistles on these things you’d think they’d figure out a way for the truck to anticipate a hill ahead. I’d happily do without massaging seats and rain sensing wipers if the truck could do that!