Tow mode or not ?

JayLeonard · Jul 20, 2022

If I’m on fairly flat ground I’ll be in regular mode. If they n hills and it starts to shift a lot I’ll switch to tow/ haul. Going up or down steeper hills: mountains I’ll be in tow/ haul. Smart mode e brake is always on. And cruise control whenever possible.

stevenP · Jul 20, 2022

I would really consider using the tow haul mode with a 12k trailer. The biggest reason is in tow mode your exhaust braking is a lot more aggressive with the diesel. Its not really very hilly where I live, but the exhaust brake is the best option I have used to date especially while towing.

runamuck · Jul 21, 2022

I always use tow/haul when pulling our 6000# travel trailer but a few weeks ago when towing from pueblo to denver I forgot tow/haul after getting gas. I was running just under 70 on I-25 northbound when I noticed and turned tow/haul back on.rpms went up a few hundred. seems that my truck was happy without it and at less rpms. left it on as folks have said better for trans when towing but didnt notice any difference in trans temp, just running at higher rpms and so maybe burning a little more fuel.

Rzrbrn · Jul 21, 2022

Very enlightening discourse. My TV is 2019 2500 4x4 6.7L diesel. I will be towing an 8K loaded bumper hitch and going 10K miles or so out west. I seldom use Tow mode and usually CC on the flats, but have been wondering what is best for the truck. Think I will change my evil ways and start always using Tow mode when pulling the trailer and will see what happens with CC in the mountains. Can't quite get my head around CC in the mountains...I am old...years ago was driving in the western mountains in an extended Chevy van (gas) loaded with VIP's, including my boss, and used CC, site seeing in the Sawtooth Mountains. Once on I could not turn the CC off and it would accelerate going down hill, brakes were smoking, Occasionally tires would squeal, etc. Almost lost it a number of times. Afterwards just acted cool about it, Boss and VIP's were not. But I will try it again after reading this thread.

ian MacKinnon · Jul 21, 2022

Great discussion.

I am sold. Trailer / tow mode from here on..

Thanks !

Sturoc · Jul 21, 2022

The i-25 corridor only sees really one long incline and downhill - Monument Pass at the Palmer Divide. Not much of a high Pass compared to the ones we are used to way up here in Colorado. So forgetting to turn back on the Tow/Haul on that hiway wont be that big a deal cause its such a gradual hill. BUT in the mountains I run it when towing. It gives me the power i need to climb an 11,000 ft pass and uses the Trans as a brake so i dont have to lay on the brake pedal all the time going downhill. Anytume the trans downshifts your RPMs increase .

ramffml · Jul 21, 2022

Use tow mode for anything 5000+ pounds, but don't use cruise control. CC only cares about keeping your speed constant, which hinders good towing technique.

Alvin York · Jul 21, 2022

Totally agree with ramffml. Cruise is also real bad for mileage, especially in hills. There's a reason tractor trailer drivers let their trucks run fast downhill, it allows them to partially coast up the uphill.

buhwana · Jul 21, 2022

The manual say use tow mode in hilly areas but doesn’t mention to use it all the time. I find that using CC the tranny will down shift on the slighted hill. Without CC I can let the speed slow so it does t do that, which I think is better for fuel mileage. What does the Tow mode do other than maybe keep the tranny in a lower gear longer?

ramffml · Jul 21, 2022

Yep exactly. And there is also that torque advantage, where it's always easier to hold a higher RPM once it's there, than it is to increase to that RPM in the first place.

So say you're at 60 mph and going down a hill, CC keeps you at 60ish, but now at the bottom you need to climb back up. That requires you to now get on the gas, make more power and use more fuel than if you had freely accelerated downhill to 67 mph (or whatever) and now at the bottom of the hill your RPMs are already higher allowing you to hold that power and climb the hill.

ramffml · Jul 21, 2022

buhwana said:
The manual say use tow mode in hilly areas but doesn’t mention to use it all the time. I find that using CC the tranny will down shift on the slighted hill. Without CC I can let the speed slow so it does t do that, which I think is better for fuel mileage. What does the Tow mode do other than maybe keep the tranny in a lower gear longer?

I'm not sure about every transmission, but I think on some it increases the transmission oil pressure giving firmer shifts and less wear on the clutches.

I just don't see the point in taking a chance. We're given the tools to tow heavy so I just use them in case there are things that are not immediately obvious going on behind the scenes (like even slight engine tuning etc).

2019RamInSC · Jul 21, 2022

Tow/Haul Mode Button is not a multiple choice question

If you are towing or hauling use it. Why not?
But then Sometimes I over simplify stuff. :33:

David F · Jul 21, 2022

Why would you NOT use the tow mode, when towing. That's what it is for.
I never leave home without it (when pulling 5th wheel. )

yomanne · Jul 21, 2022

John Jensen said:
I have an HO with the Aisin.
FYI - no gear is locked out while in tow haul.

I have a 2014 RAM Hemi with 6 speed auto. I've set it up so it defaults to Tow/Haul every time I start it because it drives and shifts so much better. Most of my driving is around town and if I'm not in Tow/Haul mode the transmission drives me nuts always hunting for another gear and shifting unexpectedly. So, in effect, I have a four-speed auto now. It always skips 3rd gear whether upshifting or downshifting (whether in Tow/Haul or not). Think this is because 2nd and 3rd gear ratios are so close together. And, at least in my truck, when in Tow/Haul mode 6th gear is definitely locked out. It doesn't seem to hurt gas mileage when on the road. Many people logically think engine rpms are a significant factor for fuel economy but a more important factor is if the engine is running at an optimal/efficient rpm.

buckeyexx · Jul 21, 2022

yomanne said:
I have a 2014 RAM Hemi with 6 speed auto. I've set it up so it defaults to Tow/Haul every time I start it because it drives and shifts so much better. Most of my driving is around town and if I'm not in Tow/Haul mode the transmission drives me nuts always hunting for another gear and shifting unexpectedly. So, in effect, I have a four-speed auto now. It always skips 3rd gear whether upshifting or downshifting (whether in Tow/Haul or not). Think this is because 2nd and 3rd gear ratios are so close together. And, at least in my truck, when in Tow/Haul mode 6th gear is definitely locked out. It doesn't seem to hurt gas mileage when on the road. Many people logically think engine rpms are a significant factor for fuel economy but a more important factor is if the engine is running at an optimal/efficient rpm.

How did you get it to default to tow/haul automatically? I use it weather I’m towing or not myself. Can’t stand the overdrive gears when not on the highway so I push the button everytime I get into my truck. Would be nice to have it set that way. Do you have a tuner or something else to program it?

Rekdreation · Jul 21, 2022

buckeyexx said:
How did you get it to default to tow/haul automatically?

What he said. ^^^

jejb · Jul 22, 2022

06 Dodge said:
From my 2022 Owners Manual:

When to Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying
a heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission
shifting occurs, push the TOW/HAUL switch to
activate TOW/HAUL mode.

Notice the "and" in that section. No reason to use Tow/Haul if the tranny is not hunting and you're not towing in "hilly areas".

runamuck · Jul 22, 2022

Sturoc said:
The i-25 corridor only sees really one long incline and downhill - Monument Pass at the Palmer Divide. Not much of a high Pass compared to the ones we are used to way up here in Colorado. So forgetting to turn back on the Tow/Haul on that hiway wont be that big a deal cause its such a gradual hill. BUT in the mountains I run it when towing. It gives me the power i need to climb an 11,000 ft pass and uses the Trans as a brake so i dont have to lay on the brake pedal all the time going downhill. Anytume the trans downshifts your RPMs increase .

dont forget the long pull at Raton pass.

turkeybird56 · Jul 22, 2022

Rzrbrn said:
Very enlightening discourse. My TV is 2019 2500 4x4 6.7L diesel. I will be towing an 8K loaded bumper hitch and going 10K miles or so out west. I seldom use Tow mode and usually CC on the flats, but have been wondering what is best for the truck. Think I will change my evil ways and start always using Tow mode when pulling the trailer and will see what happens with CC in the mountains. Can't quite get my head around CC in the mountains...I am old...years ago was driving in the western mountains in an extended Chevy van (gas) loaded with VIP's, including my boss, and used CC, site seeing in the Sawtooth Mountains. Once on I could not turn the CC off and it would accelerate going down hill, brakes were smoking, Occasionally tires would squeal, etc. Almost lost it a number of times. Afterwards just acted cool about it, Boss and VIP's were not. But I will try it again after reading this thread.

I would never use CC in mountainous settings, cause the system will lose it's mind trying to maintain set level. BUT if pulling a load, Definitely use Tow Haul, what it is there for, all IMHO......

ADDED: Just driving to house from town with CC on, there is a part prior to my road that has a decline before incline, and I just hate how the CC tries to maintain speed by gearing down and upping the revs. Maybe OK in a 64 Chevy, not like it in my RAM, so I always turn off CC before I hit that section of road. Just my Own personal experience and preferences..

jejb · Jul 23, 2022

turkeybird56 said:
I would never use CC in mountainous settings, cause the system will lose it's mind trying to maintain set level. BUT if pulling a load, Definitely use Tow Haul, what it is there for, all IMHO......

ADDED: Just driving to house from town with CC on, there is a part prior to my road that has a decline before incline, and I just hate how the CC tries to maintain speed by gearing down and upping the revs. Maybe OK in a 64 Chevy, not like it in my RAM, so I always turn off CC before I hit that section of road. Just my Own personal experience and preferences..

Doesn't work that way with the Cummins. CC holds the speed amazingly well up and down hills, even with a trailer, with no dramatics. Might kick down from 6th to 5th now and again, but none of the high revving frenetics of the gas motors.

Tow mode or not ?

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Junior Member

Junior Member

Member

Senior Member

Junior Member

Junior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Member

Senior Member

Member

Military

Senior Member

Military Vet 1976-1996 Retired US Army

Military

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page