Tow/Haul

[Sherman Bird]

U mean that funny juice needed to make the skinny pedal work? lol.

Almost 6K truck, V8 motor me thinks fuel mpg be last on list lol.

Some guys know what engineering hocus-pocus they go through to GET 20MPG out of a heavy double chubby chuck machine like the Rams, F150's, Sierras & Silverados with 4 doors and all the luxo- comfy goodies ALA Cadillacs. Many have no idea!

The driving force most prevalent to the manufacturers is CAFE.... PERIOD!

Anyone with basic thermodynamic knowledge realizes that there is just so much Capacity of heat energy in a gallon of gasoline. Unless you are going downhill on a windy day with a strong tailwind AND you are coasting, there is, plain and simple the limit to which one can convert heat energy into kinetic go-motion.

Factor in wind resistance, parasitic losses from accessories like HVAC, weight, and driving habits (speed), and the limits of physics are cast in stone on this planet, and there you have it! Free lunch vanishes.

Of course, some folks like my idjit customer with the magnet think that straightening out fuel molecules will magically change physics!

Maybe I can sell a 200MPG carburetor! Better yet, magic gas pills for the tank! LOL!

 

[Sherman Bird]

All of the stats R nice but TBH regardless of mpg to give U dat happy feeling; If U wanna go U gotta pay or use LPC’s. (Leather personnel carriers) otherwise known as shoes/boots.

The "hidden" discussion here is Swept volume per mile driven.
Why else would so many vehicles turn off half the engine at cruise. A v-10 has WAY higher rate of swept volume than a v-8, and the v-8 more than a v-6... Heck, I have a late model Toyota Camry in my shop that turns off 2 of the 4 cylinders at cruise! But that function brings on so many other complicated drivability factors.

 

[Dean2]

TB - I don't track gas mileage for the happy feeling. I do it because I have always had to track all my travel, maintenance etc. For one, too many vehicles to keep track of to not have a written record, and second, to claim expenses on taxes up here you need pretty detailed info. Other advantage is, often the first sign a vehicle is starting to have a problem is a noticeable drop in MPG for no good reason. The computers are too good now at hiding certain problems.

I agree, you buy and use the vehicle needed to do the job, fuel mileage is FAR from one of the major deciding factors. That said, getting a 50% improvement over the V10 was a very nice side benefit to a much more civilised pickup, even though the improved mileage will take forever to pay for the new vehicle unless you put on a whole lot more miles than I do now. Fuel cost does not hold a candle to depreciation, insurance and other running cost. Fuel is 25 cents a kilometre, the other stuff adds up to over 45 cents a kilometre.

 

[Sherman Bird]

I have noticed a trend here in my vicinity. The Top-tier gas stations are being bought out by unscrupulous people. An example: Chevron: One of the very best gasolines in terms of additives for the best performance/ cleanliness of your fuel system and engine.

I used the same Chevron station for years when I filled up my wife's and my vehicles, keeping meticulous records of overall fuel consumption. The place changed hands to some low brows about 2 years ago.

I didn't have to become their buddy, and all I did was buy gas every week, so I continued to use them in spite of their apparent shadyness.

I noticed that both vehicles ran as good as ever, but BOTH were declining in gas mileage.

They're older cars, so I replaced oxygen sensors and fuel filters, air filters.... went over the basics. To no avail. Our 2002 S-Blazer dropped from 17MPG to 13.5. The 2007 Kia Sorento was similar.

I grew suspicious because I had read that the unscrupulous managers of some of these places were ordering lesser gas and selling it at a premium to the unsuspecting public.

I switched over to a Texaco station close by (Texaco IS Chevron these days).... and as if by magic, my mileages went back up to previous higher levels. Go figure!

 

[Ramfanski]

I don’t use it towing my little 14’ aluminum fishing boat, but I do use it with my pop up camper and when I put a decent load in the bed. It makes the cruise control work better in the highway as well as protecting the transmission. If I can tell it’s pulling or loaded at all, I hit the t/h.

 

[Riccochet]

only reason I even care about MPG while towing is so I can guestimate and plan on where I'll need to stop for gas.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Anyone with basic thermodynamic knowledge realizes that there is just so much Capacity of heat energy in a gallon of gasoline. Unless you are going downhill on a windy day with a strong tailwind AND you are coasting, there is, plain and simple the limit to which one can convert heat energy into kinetic go-motion.

...and we're nowhere near that being the limiting factor. A touch over 2/3rds of the energy is wasted. Race teams are hitting 50% using hybrid setups, but at a serious cost and with a lot of added complexity.

Example: https://www.motorauthority.com/news...engine-achieves-50-percent-thermal-efficiency

If there will be an economically viable way to get production vehicles to that level in my lifetime, or if there is drive to do so with alternate fuels, who knows? Nobody in the '70s would have thought it possible to get the fuel economy we do now, for sure.

 

[turkeybird56]

I have noticed a trend here in my vicinity. The Top-tier gas stations are being bought out by unscrupulous people. An example: Chevron: One of the very best gasolines in terms of additives for the best performance/ cleanliness of your fuel system and engine.

I used the same Chevron station for years when I filled up my wife's and my vehicles, keeping meticulous records of overall fuel consumption. The place changed hands to some low brows about 2 years ago.

I didn't have to become their buddy, and all I did was buy gas every week, so I continued to use them in spite of their apparent shadyness.

I noticed that both vehicles ran as good as ever, but BOTH were declining in gas mileage.

They're older cars, so I replaced oxygen sensors and fuel filters, air filters.... went over the basics. To no avail. Our 2002 S-Blazer dropped from 17MPG to 13.5. The 2007 Kia Sorento was similar.

I grew suspicious because I had read that the unscrupulous managers of some of these places were ordering lesser gas and selling it at a premium to the unsuspecting public.

I switched over to a Texaco station close by (Texaco IS Chevron these days).... and as if by magic, my mileages went back up to previous higher levels. Go figure!

I run HEB, Sunoco or Shell. Buy 89 all 3. I know HEB is not a top tier but they do maintain their tanks etc, change filters etc. That counts too.

 

[turkeybird56]

TB - I don't track gas mileage for the happy feeling. I do it because I have always had to track all my travel, maintenance etc. For one, too many vehicles to keep track of to not have a written record, and second, to claim expenses on taxes up here you need pretty detailed info. Other advantage is, often the first sign a vehicle is starting to have a problem is a noticeable drop in MPG for no good reason. The computers are too good now at hiding certain problems.

I agree, you buy and use the vehicle needed to do the job, fuel mileage is FAR from one of the major deciding factors. That said, getting a 50% improvement over the V10 was a very nice side benefit to a much more civilised pickup, even though the improved mileage will take forever to pay for the new vehicle unless you put on a whole lot more miles than I do now. Fuel cost does not hold a candle to depreciation, insurance and other running cost. Fuel is 25 cents a kilometre, the other stuff adds up to over 45 cents a kilometre.

U talking about tracking fer bizness and taxes. Not that totally different but gotcha. I just got my truck & MC so caring lot less important than when turn key vehicle goes vroom!!

 

[zrock]

Only time i use my tow haul is when im pulling a long hill. I was finding that it was holding the lower gear way to long when towing. Alot of the times i will just pop the truck into manual and drop gears that way truck seems much happier this way.

 

[tmcgraw]

RE: Tow/Haul Mode...I carry a cabover camper (4,500 lbs) on my 2018 3500 DWR RAM. I always use the Tow/Haul mode. The diesel brake adds security when braking. At 30K miles, original brakes holding up well.

 

[2019RamInSC]

So.... I read these replies and it brings to light this:

The Tow/Haul mode is for what purpose?
As a factory trained automatic transmission technician for Ford and GM, I'll weigh in with the facts as I see them:
That function was/is put there for a reason. So, asking for whether or not to use it based on the seat of the pants type thinking is a HUGE blunder.

I replaced/repaired MANY MANY MANY automatic transmissions over the decades for people who would FAIL to use the Tow/Haul function (I can't figure out why), and, when I'd ask them why they didn't while I repaired their truck(s), their response was laughable.
"I just pull a pop up, and it doesn't weigh that much"! And yet, they bar-b-qued the transmission. Consistently.

Weight is NOT the only issue. I'm guessing you will be using an enclosed trailer. If so, there will be a hell of a lot of load from wind resistance, not to mention the weight.

Now to the juicy bits: What exactly happens in the To/Haul mode? First, this tells the PCM that a severe duty set of parameters for the entire vehicle are going to happen.... Extra load on the brakes, the cooling system, the chassis proper, etc.
The PCM will employ the particular algorithm programmed into the operating files for that function to mitigate damage.

Put on your reading glasses and seek the information in the owner's manual for whether or not you need to use the function for your particular event. Asking the buddies at the country club is risky at best.

Some of the stories I've heard of how a guy didn't use the function and got away with it evoke thoughts of dumb luck, perhaps, or maybe there was damage done that was not perceived or had any symptoms immediately, only to be someone else's problem when the truck is traded or sold.

Based upon my own knowledge and training, I always err on the side of caution. I have always used the function of Tow/Haul any time I load up my SUV, or pull a trailer. I had a 1976 Suburban that I retrofitted a TH700R4 into. I thrashed that truck with all the towing/hauling I did (a heck of a lot) for north of 100,000 miles. I sold that truck to a fellow employee several years later. That trans was still functioning perfectly years later.

Did I burn more fuel doing that? Yup! In today's world, a trans costs what? 8 Grand on your truck? My thinking is that I can buy a LOT of gas for 8 thousand dollars! Cheers! And Happy trails!

Outstanding! Thank you Sir!
Use it or lose it.

 

[Tulecreeper]

only reason I even care about MPG while towing is so I can guestimate and plan on where I'll need to stop for gas.

I just start looking for a station when it hits the 1/2 mark.

 

[David Oakes]

RE: Tow/Haul Mode...I carry a cabover camper (4,500 lbs) on my 2018 3500 DWR RAM. I always use the Tow/Haul mode. The diesel brake adds security when braking. At 30K miles, original brakes holding up well.

At 120000 miles/196000 kms, my oem brakes are still "holding up well" with more than 80% left. Exhaust brake for the win.

 

[DanEddy]

The tow haul feature is designed for towing, obviously. It makes it easier on your engine and trans. All it basically does is change RPM Shift points and holds on to lower gears a bit longer. It may not shift into overdrive as fast as well, but for good reason, so as not to lug the engine. I always use tow haul when I'm towing and even when I'm in mountainous country. It just makes it easier all the way around.

 

[Riccochet]

I just start looking for a station when it hits the 1/2 mark.

Next exactly that easy when there's 31' of trailer behind me. Most small gas stations aren't situated to where I can get in and out. So I just plan ahead with truck stops and use google maps satellite view to make sure I can get in and out.

 

[jimboschnitz]

I'd rather spend a little more for gas using the tow/haul feature than spend the money
on a transmission repair down the road.

 

[Riccochet]

I'd rather spend a little more for gas using the tow/haul feature than spend the money
on a transmission repair down the road.

You're not going to burn out your transmission by not using tow/haul. The entire thing is computer controlled. You're more likely to damage the engine by lugging it.

These aren't the transmissions of old where T/H locked out overdrive.

 

[Sherman Bird]

I run HEB, Sunoco or Shell. Buy 89 all 3. I know HEB is not a top tier but they do maintain their tanks etc, change filters etc. That counts too.

HEB reports that their gas is Exxon.

 

[turkeybird56]

HEB reports that their gas is Exxon.

YUP, not top tier, in the middle.