Tow haul mode on all the time?

[Crazyro]

If I read correctly, the Dodge manual recommends using Tow Haul mode only when the situation demands it. If my truck is happy towing our camper (especially if no bad hills are encountered), should I keep it off until needed? I've always towed the camper with the Tow Haul mode engaged the entire trip. Thoughts?

 

[justin13703]

You can leave it in tow/haul mode all the time when towing. It's better for the trans that way

 

[MADDOG]

what ^^^ he ^^^^ said. Run it full time when you are towing, turn it off when you aren't.

 

[ronheater70]

I turn mine off on long flat stretches, it enables it to drop into 5th gear easier.. as long as its easily pulling 5th I don't worry about it, once it starts shifting again or getting into hills, back into tow haul mode.

 

[sandawilliams]

I turn mine off on long flat stretches, it enables it to drop into 5th gear easier.. as long as its easily pulling 5th I don't worry about it, once it starts shifting again or getting into hills, back into tow haul mode.

That's exactly how I tow with mine. Its almost impossible to get 5th gear in tow/haul but if conditions are right I will take it out of tow mode.

 

[Madnsick]

?
I have a Dodge Ram 2003 2500.
Do i have a tow haul mode?

 

[KSH]

I think it just locks out the top gear and keeps the transmission from hunting. I always kept mine off except for hills, mountains.

 

[Crazyro]

I think it just locks out the top gear and keeps the transmission from hunting. I always kept mine off except for hills, mountains.

Now, I was told that Tow Haul mode also helps with braking. Is there any truth to that? I usually keep mine on at all times, but wonder if on flat stretches I can turn it off...

Camp seems to be divided on this one.

 

[justin13703]

Now, I was told that Tow Haul mode also helps with braking. Is there any truth to that? I usually keep mine on at all times, but wonder if on flat stretches I can turn it off...

Camp seems to be divided on this one.

On some of the diesels, in tow/haul mode when you let off the throttle it will downshift to the lowest gear as sort of an engine brake and it does help. Not as much as the exhaust brake, but it does help. On the gas trucks though, tow/haul does not help with braking. There just isn't enough compression on a gas motor to make it very effective at engine braking.

 

[FullForceRam]

Crazyro:
When the vehicle is left on "Tow/Haul" mode with the auto trans, when going downhill and your truck is engaged on "Cruise control" is DOES NOT apply brakes, rather it uses what little engine compression it has to slow the vehicle (to a certain extent) and maintain the speed you were on.. I've witnessed this several times on my rig when in cruise control and in tow/haul mode going down hill, then when it levels off it resumes normal cruise.

 

[SYKRAMMAN]

I always kept mine off except for hills, mountains.

Tow/haul mode is essentially just an extra gear like over drive, both one in the same. It is supposed to be turned off when towing so the trany doesn't search gears but if not towing, then you should keep it activated, Unless your hills/mountains are more than a 5% grade and miles long.

For my truck that's how it's supposed to work but others may disagree.

 

[Harley Harrold]

That's exactly how I tow with mine. Its almost impossible to get 5th gear in tow/haul but if conditions are right I will take it out of tow mode.

The purpose of the tow/haul mode is to keep the trans. from shifting into overdrive, 6th gear in a 6 speed tranny, which allows the trans. to better handle the load, and keeps the tranny from overheating, which will kill these transmissions.

 

[Harley Harrold]

Another piece of information, dealing with tow/haul mode, if you are running, say around 45 to 50 mph, and you decide to floor it to pass a slower driver, tow/haul mode can save damage to the transmission, if it was to shift down twice, going into 2nd prime. I found this out after I tried to pass a slower truck on the Interstate Highway, I had to buy a remanufactured tranny. Mine downshifted into 2nd prime, destroying 4th gear, 4th gear clutches, and the overdrive clutches. I now know to press that little button one time, just before flooring the gas pedal, now passing is a breeze.