"Tow Haul" button question.

[Matts175]

Obviously I'd want to use this when I tow my boat, but would it be necessary to use it when hauling my ATV on a small utility trailer? Maybe 1000 pounds total.

 

[turkeybird56]

Nahhhhhh, 1000 nothing..... Unless U are Climbing a Big Steep Graded Hill

 

[tap4154]

I use it on long steep downhills for some added engine braking. But on level ground or gentle hills, don't see the need, even when towing.

 

[fivestar]

My trailer is about 1100, plus a 460 lb bike.....Next time Ill not use it either and see if there's a difference.

 

[hodge-xj]

What exactly does tow haul do. I drive my truck in tow haul 100% of the time. Otherwise i think it drives like ass and shifts early and kinda clunky.

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[muddy12]

Not sure what all it does in the newer 8 speeds, but in the older ones, tow haul changes the shift points, and raises pressures to firm up the shifts.


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[gofishn]

got a 21 ft Lund and i never use tow haul mode.
Never needed it

 

[Random_Walk]

Obviously I'd want to use this when I tow my boat, but would it be necessary to use it when hauling my ATV on a small utility trailer? Maybe 1000 pounds total.

I use the button when the bed and hitch are empty. But then...

1) I live in the mountains, and
2) ...the manual mentions using the Tow/Haul button in steep, hilly terrain to make things easier on the transmission.

 

[JPT]

Not sure what all it does in the newer 8 speeds, but in the older ones, tow haul changes the shift points, and raises pressures to firm up the shifts.


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I use it towing. I does seem to adjust the shift points, it holds the gears longer, and uses engine braking more.

 

[tap4154]

What exactly does tow haul do. I drive my truck in tow haul 100% of the time. Otherwise i think it drives like ass and shifts early and kinda clunky.

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I raises the shift points. I have an old '96 Saturn coup that has a "performance" button that does the same thing.

If you hit the Tow/Haul button watch the tach, it will go up as the transmission downshifts one gear.

You'll get less MPG if you use it all the time on level road, but it's great for driving on steep mountain roads, even when not towing.

 

[Ratket]

It’s all owner preference. When in town I use it 24/7- if I can set my cruse control i **** it off. I would deff recommend using it when ever pulling ANY load as it will help to ensure transmission life.

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

I use it all the time. I also have traction control turned off all the time. I also drive like a maniac almost all the time, so....

 

[Rbertalotto]

Doesn't Tow/Haul keep the transmission out of top gear (6 speed /2500/ 6.4 Hemi)?
And doesnt T/H deactivate cylinder cut off?

 

[blackbetty14]

I just towed a HF 1195lb 4x8 trailer with a troy built lawn tractor with plow setup. I would say a little less than 1k lbs. Never used the tow button. Truck didn't even know it was back there. Tow mode as stated holds gears longer, adjusts shift points and uses engine braking more... this makes life a little easier on the trans but mainly for the brakes. If the engine is slowing down the truck more then you inputting less brake and thus keeping the brake temps down. Engine braking doesn't affect fuel consumption only the holding of gears (increased RPM) while on the throttle.

 

[baldpope]

Was reading through the owner manual and it references specifically using it on steep grades, with one of the examples being to use it when pulling your boat out of the water where you really might need the low-end torque. Here in Wisconsin, there are only a few 'steep' hills to deal with and only 1 where I might actually drive it while hauling (I94 EB from Milwaukee to Waukesha is a very long steep incline, ugh). As soon as I clear that I usually turn it off. When I tow, it's a 7x14 enclosed with about 2000lbs of cargo (kettle corn equipment and supplies).

Just adding for some reference.

Cheers,
baldpope

 

[Retiring Don]

I tow my 5000lbs travel trailer in tow/haul mode with my 2019 Laramie. While I can't verify the gear selections, I believe the tow/haul mode also disables the 7 and 8 overdrive gears like it did for the overdrive on my old Dakota. Never really tried to count the upshifts while on a freeway on-ramp, but going into overdrive would definitely put a strain on the trans while towing/hauling large loads.

 

[miketx]

The key benefit of tow/haul is keeping your trans out of the upper gears. When you tow a heavy load, the trans is very likely to frequently shift up/down/up in the upper gears (trying to maximize mpg), which is hard on the torque converter and causes the trans fluid to get hot. When towing my 3k lbs travel trailer, I always use tow/haul. On my previous truck, I shut off OD (overdrive), which is a similar activity.

 

[Brett A Landry]

Tow/Haul Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, or carrying a heavy load and frequent transmission shifting occurs, pressing the TOW/HAUL switch to select TOW/HAUL mode will improve performance and reduce the potential for transmission overheating or failuredue to excessive shifting. When operating in TOW/HAUL mode, transmission upshifts are delayed, 8th gear overdrive is prohibited, the Multiple Displacement System (MDS) system is prohibited from cylinder deactivation, and the transmission will automaticallydownshift (for engine braking) during steady braking maneuvers

 

[TruckNut]

Like the above responses, I use Tow/Haul mode towing our 3850 pound travel trailer. It definitely raises the shift points and stays in lower gears longer. 8th gear is rarely if ever seen, and the transmission hunts for gears much less thus keeping it cooler.

 

[mlaugh]

got a 21 ft Lund and i never use tow haul mode.
Never needed it

you are doing yourself and truck a dis-service by not using it. It makes a difference on the shifts and does aide in breaking. It also may help keep the tranny cooler by keeping it from shifting too much