Locking out gears when towing.
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 550
Likes: 462
Locking out gears when towing.
Hello, when I tow I always use the tow/haul mode and run the exhaust brake in auto. Sometimes I notice even in tow/haul I feel like the engine (6.7L) is lugging a bit on long shallow hills ( I live in the valley so everything is up hill to some amount) so I lock out of 10th. It really does not appear to make much difference other than a few rpm increase. I'm not a fuel weenie so engine longevity is more important.
What is everyone's practice?
What is the sweet spot for long cruises....
What is everyone's practice?
What is the sweet spot for long cruises....
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 2,418
From: Everywhere and nowhere
I quit using tow/haul mode long ago and I only lockout gears to control speed down hill. My trans has learned my driving style pretty well and pretty much does what I want when I expect it to.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,862
Likes: 1,043
The way things are made, you can't lug an automatic engine, the computer will downshift. You can with a manual transmission.
I have an E4OD and if I can't maintain speeds in OD, I will lock it out. The more the transmission shifts, the more wear/tear there is. Nobody likes the trans to keep shifting in and out of gear every little slight incline.
I have an E4OD and if I can't maintain speeds in OD, I will lock it out. The more the transmission shifts, the more wear/tear there is. Nobody likes the trans to keep shifting in and out of gear every little slight incline.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 420
Likes: 138
From: South Texas
I have used the tow haul mode when it was on my 04 ram 1500 and has been on all trucks sense then. I currently have a 22 f350 drw and pull a 36 ft 12k camper. I use tow haul with engine brake and don't lock out anything. It has never down shifted going up hills and the engine brake works going down hills. I have not had the pleasure of mountain driving yet, but have been in the hill country with the rig
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,064
Likes: 1,574
From: Media PA
‘24 F-450 towing a 42.5’ 19K lbs fiver. I have 16k miles on the truck with it towing the fifth wheel 12K miles. I (so far) always use tow/haul mode with exhaust brake on auto, on decent grades it will drop down to 8 gear to maintain cruise set at 65 MPH but then quickly works its way back up to 10th gear. Have not use Manual mode yet or locked out any gears. Love this truck, we just pulled in to our new campsite about 4 hours ago in PA after leaving from TX on Monday, super capable and controlled and very comfortable. 
Its interesting to see the various ways others handle their towing chores.
Its interesting to see the various ways others handle their towing chores.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,726
Likes: 12,873
From: Wyoming
I use Tow Haul and the Exhaust Brake on setting #1. I lock out gears only when going downhill or decelerating. Otherwise, I let the transmission do its thing.
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 385
Likes: 116
From: Full time RVer
8:27 am and I have already learned something new. How does one lock out gears? I have never heard of that possibility.
Since we are on this subject. Is it possible to disable downshifting when going downhill in cruise?
Since we are on this subject. Is it possible to disable downshifting when going downhill in cruise?
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,726
Likes: 12,873
From: Wyoming
The up/down button on the gear shifter locks out gears. You can also do it by shifting to M, which forces the transmission it THAT gear. It doesn't always have to do what you want though.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 417
If you don't want that (and I get it), sometimes I will toggle from tow mode to normal, like coming down an interstate ramp.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 689
Likes: 216
When towing I am almost always in Tow/Haul and "Exhaust Brake" on.
Lots of times on hilly routes I lock out 10th gear to avoid the lugging but mostly because it waits too long to downshift when using cruise and drops to 8th gear. Locking out 10th gear and making 9th the highest gear seems to keep the speed more consistent.
To sort of disable downshifting, or even to prevent the truck from engaging the exhaust brake on a lot of small down hills (not mountain grades) I just feather the throttle so the truck senses the input and does not engage the "exhaust braking"; my downhill speed will increase but not a lot, and if it does get faster than I want I can just let up on the throttle. It doesn't take much throttle pedal input to 'fool' the truck and if you are using cruise you can see the cruise speed indicator change colors (white to gray) on the center gauge when the throttle is depressed (hope that makes sense).
Lots of times on hilly routes I lock out 10th gear to avoid the lugging but mostly because it waits too long to downshift when using cruise and drops to 8th gear. Locking out 10th gear and making 9th the highest gear seems to keep the speed more consistent.
To sort of disable downshifting, or even to prevent the truck from engaging the exhaust brake on a lot of small down hills (not mountain grades) I just feather the throttle so the truck senses the input and does not engage the "exhaust braking"; my downhill speed will increase but not a lot, and if it does get faster than I want I can just let up on the throttle. It doesn't take much throttle pedal input to 'fool' the truck and if you are using cruise you can see the cruise speed indicator change colors (white to gray) on the center gauge when the throttle is depressed (hope that makes sense).
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 385
Likes: 116
From: Full time RVer
Thanks for the prompt info, much appreciated. I'm going to play with those techniques the next time I'm pulling the 11,000 pound camper.
Currently, I just tap the brake peddle. This is one area where I miss my 7.3 OBS with the ZF5. No nonsense. Oh, AND I could choose tunes
whenever I want. Permission not an issue. Have a good day gents.
Currently, I just tap the brake peddle. This is one area where I miss my 7.3 OBS with the ZF5. No nonsense. Oh, AND I could choose tunes
whenever I want. Permission not an issue. Have a good day gents.
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