Tow/Haul on F150

[havnfun]

I religiously use the tow/haul button on my F150 when I pull the TT. What the heck does that do anyway? Seems like it may slow me down going downhill but what else? Does it help or hinder my gas mileage? Should I only use it going uphill or downhill?

[Threebutchers]

I was interested so I looked it up....

[Rustic Eagle]

As mentioned in 'threebutchers' post, "check your owners manual" because not all "Tow/Haul" selectors function the same.

I ran across this 2009 Ford F-150 description: "Selectable Tow/Haul mode adjusts transmission operation to match towing and hauling demand, reduces gear hunting, improves power delivery and engages engine braking to help control speed when descending hills".

My '02' GM Tow/Haul when engaged raises the shift points (which I like with my 8,500lb TT), but doesn't control engine braking (newer GM models may).

Bob

[Jmooney]

I have both tow/ haul mode and an exhaust break.

I generally turn tow/ haul on while up/ down mountain and back roads, but disengage once on open highway, as mine will suppress overdrive.

[Tail_gunner]

Originally Posted by Jmooney

I have both tow/ haul mode and an exhaust break.

I generally turn tow/ haul on while up/ down mountain and back roads, but disengage once on open highway, as mine will suppress overdrive.

I tow in a similar manner. I use the tow/haul until I get it moving and the torque converter locks-up. Then I usually go back to the normal mode because it won't stay in 6th gear in tow mode below 60. 6th gear is a 2nd overdrive. The engine has HUGE amounts of torque and will pull our 8,000+ lbs of Eagle TT up all but the steepest hills in 6th gear. If I need to downshift, 5th gear (1st overdrive) usually does the job.

One additional point is the downshifting with the exhaust brake is more effective/aggressive in tow/haul.

[robkelly]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

..."Selectable Tow/Haul mode adjusts transmission operation to match towing and hauling demand, reduces gear hunting, improves power delivery and engages engine braking to help control speed when descending hills"...

Works much the same way on the Tundra, provided D is selected on the shifter. If S is selected (allows me to control the gear I'm in) Tow/Haul is shut off.

[Jmooney]

I couldn't imagine towing a TT or FW without the exhaust break

[Rustic Eagle]

I would think there is a difference in how Tow/Haul functions with gassers and diesels.., more effective engine breaking with diesels (?).

Bob

[Ry-guy]

For my 2013 F-150, the owners manual states tow/haul should be engaged while traveling up or down hill. It changes the shift points to allow the engine to rev and generate more HP and torque as well as down shifts if required to maintain downhill speed. For the flat areas it states to disengage tow/haul and lock out gears if required. As well tow/haul locks up the torque converter which allows meh transmission to run cooler. Ryan

[Jmooney]

That makes sense. With T/H mode on, and exhaust break on, going downhill from the Eisenhower Tunnel ( 14,000 ft) the truck almost comes to a stop without ever using the brakes. I actually have to accelerate to keep going down hill

[jal0710]

On our two GM diesels, the tow haul mode will change the shirt points to allow for more torque, I believe, as you are gaining speed by holding the transmission in gear before it shifts up. On the first GM diesel, it also had an overdrive lockout on the wand which worked well, but I didn't really need it with the diesel. Haven't noticed whether the overdrive lockout is on this new GM diesel. I don't believe that tow/haul suppressed the overdrive all by itself, it only really did that when the overdrive lockout was activated.

[Jmooney]

Now I want to go back and read/ test on the Dodge

[mcfarmall]

I use tow/haul whenever I tow/haul and sometimes I use it during normal driving because it makes the truck a bit more peppy.

[coondog]

I brought home our just purchased 23J a few weeks ago and had the tow/haul feature engaged on my F150. Soon after hitting around 100kmh, the dash display coded a wrench picture. I pulled over and checked out the reason and it said that it could be a 4 wheel drive sensor and would limit shifting. Made it home fine and a few hours later I checked it and the wrench code wasn't there.

Now I wonder whether I should have turned the tow/ haul off on the highway.

[jal0710]

Whether you use the tow-haul on the highway or not shouldn't make any difference with the four-wheel drive system. It's a transmission system designed to delay, a bit, the shift points when you are accelerating, so that you will have a bit more torque as you go up the gears. I would suggest you take your truck into the dealer and ask them about this. They may have some equipment they can plug into the truck to see if they can find out what happened.

[t2daniel]

My F250 info center says to use tow haul when towing up/down hills but can disengage on flat ground to save fuel. Agree with all the shift point info given above both up and down hill.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by t2daniel

My F250 info center says to use tow haul when towing up/down hills but can disengage on flat ground to save fuel. Agree with all the shift point info given above both up and down hill.

Agree as well with all the above. My F-250 in tow/haul slows me down even on the slightest hills. I barely/rarely have to use my brakes and I'm towing 9200lbs.

[clutch]

I always use tow haul with my Dodge. I found that towing our trailer in 5th gear gives the best fuel mileage and the transmission pretty much stays in 5th. I have a pyrometer and the temps are cooler when I don't use 6th.

[Chomperoni]

I use tow/haul on my 2013 f150 generally when going down hills to keep the revs lower and use the brakes less.
If you are starting on a hill going up it is also the most preferable way to start as it gives you better gear ratios to deal with the hill.
On the highway I would definitely not use it as it will severely hinder your gas mileage.