I researched this a little but came up empty. I have a small 5 X 14 single axle trailer I haul a small quad/stuff around with, the quad is around 500# and the trailer GVW is 2990#.

I don't use the tow/haul "on" when I am just moving the trailer empty, but do when I put anything on it. A buddy thinks it should always be used when towing, flatlands or otherwise.

Any thoughts on this idea?

Happy New Year, and thanks.

 

Its there to make your life easier... any heavy load or trailer I generally use it, but with a 500lb trailer the truck won't even notice

 

It's your choice to use it or not. It won't hurt the truck either way, but with loads heavy enough to make your truck work hard, it will take advantage of gearing a little better in tow/haul. Basically just delaying shift points so the RPMS will stay in the sweet spot.

Personally, with my small 5k# trailer, I don't use tow/haul much when climbing hills. It just doesn't need it. But I use it on steep downgrades the most, because it improves motor braking.

 

It appears you have an F250 with a diesel, so I would doubt uless you tried to drive straight up the side of Mt. Everst your truck even knows its towing that tiny trailer.

Leave the tow mode on or off, whatever you decide that day....its reallly no difference.

If you are towing 13,000 not 3,000 pounds, then yes turn it on.

 

Thanks for the replies.

I do use it for some of the steepest mountain roads I get into, trailering or not. Sounds like no need for it in general with the light load I am carrying around locally.

Thanks again.

 

Some use the tow haul mode all the time and swear by it. I like how the truck slows down in tow haul unloaded. I also use it all the time up steep grades.

 

Just don't use it in the snow in 2wd. Found out the hard way by accident actually. Getting off I-81 on the exit ramp. Kids yelling, dog barking at them, wife talking to me about something. Didn't realize I'd hit the button. Truck downshifted and got reeaallll sideways real quick. I always double check it now.

 

I have a 99 F350PSD
When did they start having a tow/haul mode?
Bob Bates

 

2003 with the introduction of the 6.0 PSD. Then they started using it on the gas trucks in '05. It's the Torqueshift five speed auto.

 

It would be nice to mate one to my 99 - 7.3powestroke.
Is it possible?
Bob

 

As I understand it, the electronic control for the torqshift makes it impractical to mate with a 7.3.

But you can get a nearly bullet proof custom built 4R100. All it takes is money.

 

John,
Clarify this a bit for me please,my 01 has the O/D button on the shifter(auto) now isn`t that the same thing as T/H mode? I use mine up an down hills or around town when towing heavy.Interstate being flat I don`t.

Hanklin

 

No, it's not. Your O/D button only locks out overdrive. I don't think it makes any other changes to the shift points.

The tow/haul button does not lock out O/D. It changes shift points to better keep the motor high in the torque curve. But it will still use all the gears when appropriate.

And don't call me John.

 

He may have been talking to me . What Bp said. The switch on yours only locks out the overdrive keeping you in third gear or lower. The T/H on the torwueshift changes the shift strategies holding gears for longer before upshifting and holding gears and downshifting when you are decellerating to help slow the truck and trailer without having to rely solely on the brakes to slow down.

 

Bill...bpounds, I was talking to
John...powerstroke 72
but anyway I do appreciate the correction on the diff between the two modes,learn somethin new everyday

Hanklin