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Old 04-16-2015, 09:21 PM   #1
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Tow Mode?

How many tow in tow mode?
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Old 04-16-2015, 09:26 PM   #2
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I just started towing a tt but have towed a dump trailer for years and always use tow mode. i'll manually put it into 5th on the highway if its shifting between 2 but always tow mode.
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Old 04-16-2015, 09:31 PM   #3
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Pretty much always . Changes the shift point of the tranny, inhibits overdrive and keeps tranny temp down. I also understand that on my new 3500, that it impacts trailer brakes and exhaust break functions
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Old 04-16-2015, 09:37 PM   #4
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We just got back from a 750 mile trip today. I towed our 30 foot DSRE White Hawk (less than #7500 loaded) out of tow mode with the cruise set with no problems and got 12.5 MPG round trip with lots of rain, some wind and some sun. The land here is as flat as it gets. At 64 MPH the truck is running at 1500 RPMS, in tow mode the truck ran 2250?? at 64 MPH. The truck does not seem to be in labor. Trans temp ran 135 degrees.
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Old 04-16-2015, 09:40 PM   #5
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With the duramax and Allison in tow mode it's a tow beast and with the exhaust brake turned on, slowing down and going up and down the mountains is a breeze. I would hate to smoke a transmission for not using tow mode in the mountains and hills.
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Old 04-16-2015, 09:50 PM   #6
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I always use tow mode, that's what it's for. I find that even though the engine is revving higher, it seems to not be working as hard, and I get slightly better gas mileage.

Last year I was pulling the trailer out of the winter storage yard, pressed the tow/haul button, and nothing happened. No light on the instrument panel, no transmission downshift, nothing. When I got home I did some Google searches, read a couple of websites and watched a video. It was just a simple broken wire in the steering column. I spliced it back together and all is well.
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Old 04-16-2015, 10:40 PM   #7
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For me it's tow mode, always. A little less mileage, a little more money for fuel, I'll take that over a $2K tranny re-build. I had one go south on me a few years back. It was no fun nursing that rig 700 miles back home. When they pulled the torque converter out there was no paint left on it and the steel was blue from the heat. I was told that the stator inside the TC has electro magnets on it that lock on to the inside of the TC case to give you that final overdrive. When the torque of the engine overcomes the strength of the magnets it causes the magnets to slip creating metal on metal friction and cooks the fluid. As the fluid loses its lubricity you get galling and metal debris is circulated throughout the tranny causing problems in other areas. It just goes downhill from there. The best solution is to not let the converter lock up. You do that by towing in tow mode. That is what I was told and I believe it. Your experience may differ.
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Old 04-17-2015, 06:32 AM   #8
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I always use TH when towing.. just wish when I stop for coffee/fuel it would stay in TH rather than have to reset it all the time
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Old 04-17-2015, 07:07 AM   #9
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Tow Mode all the time - unless I forget, which doesn't happen often anymore since it's on the DW checklist.
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Old 04-17-2015, 07:24 AM   #10
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Yup. TH Mode all of the time when towing. Manages the engine especially when going up and down hills.

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Old 04-17-2015, 07:30 AM   #11
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The manufacturer who built my truck recommends tow haul mode while towing. Same as they recommend using diesel in my Cummins. Regular gas is cheaper so maybe I will just use regular gas....
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Old 04-17-2015, 07:30 AM   #12
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Always. Currently towing up at maximum capacities, it's important. I will see how the new truck does without it, but most likely I will always use it while towing or hauling a heavy load. It makes things easier on the engine and transmission.

And like Seann, I wish the default T/H mode was last status at ignition on, then I wouldn't have to punch the stupid button every time. Oh well, small gripes...
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Old 04-17-2015, 07:31 AM   #13
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Here is why I ask about tow mode. While towing at road speed I could en gauge tow mode and for 30 miles nothing would happened. If I en gauge it while starting up it works as it should. We were at sea level or less than 100 feet all day the land is very flat. The truck seems to pull with no effort at all.
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Old 04-17-2015, 07:37 AM   #14
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Transmissions are changing. My 09 Escape has downhill assist (tow mode) and it is a must for towing heavy loads. 6 speed electronic computer controlled etc. Now my old 99 suburban 4 speed owners manual specifically tells me to tow in overdrive. It was designed for it. Escape tows the TT in 5th gear and gets 12mpg with a very hard working engine and transmission. Trans temp approaching 210. The suburban tows the same trailer in 4th gear (overdrive) with no struggle at 65+ with a V8 but gets 8mpg. Trans temp 178-192. With me it's pick your poison. Gas mileage or comfort. Close to home I use the escape. I just towed it 966 miles each way with the suburban. 8mpg 42 gallon tank, OUCH! But no white knuckles.

Just a difference in ten years worth of technological advances. If you have it use the tow mode. Your transmission and wallet Will thank you.
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Old 04-17-2015, 07:40 AM   #15
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Always. TH works differently for different generations of trucks, and for different brands. So don't assume that TH locks out overdrive. It doesn't with mine. All it does for mine is change the shift points.
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Old 04-17-2015, 07:45 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xtruckerbob View Post
Here is why I ask about tow mode. While towing at road speed I could en gauge tow mode and for 30 miles nothing would happened. If I en gauge it while starting up it works as it should. We were at sea level or less than 100 feet all day the land is very flat. The truck seems to pull with no effort at all.
I imagine your Duramax doesn't have a lot of trouble slingin' that trailer around. But for my gasser, it's a different story; I don't have NEAR the torque of your diesel, so my engine and tranny have to work hard and make up for it with programming. That's where the T/H mode comes in. In my case it helps a marginal setup deal with hauling near maximum capacity and not tear the truck apart.

If you can tow without T/H and your diagnostics all stay within spec, esp trans temp, then you'll save fuel by allowing the engine to operate at lower RPMs...
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Old 04-17-2015, 07:53 AM   #17
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I guess most people play it by ear and go with what feels most comfortable.

What seems to work best for me and my 2007 Suburban 1500 is T/H for interstates and most major roads. 60-65 MPH.

On secondary back road where speeds are less than 55 MPH T/H is off but transmission is in 3rd gear. Does not "hunt".

I typically get 9 MPG. Transmission temps 200 - 220 degrees depending on hills.
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Old 04-17-2015, 09:23 AM   #18
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If I'm towing, it's in tow mode.
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Old 04-17-2015, 09:59 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45 View Post
I always use TH when towing.. just wish when I stop for coffee/fuel it would stay in TH rather than have to reset it all the time
Agreed. Needs an actual switch that can physically be turned off/on. So, for now, a post-it-note on the dash will have to do when towing and stopping for gas or whatever.
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Old 04-17-2015, 10:55 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45 View Post
I always use TH when towing.. just wish when I stop for coffee/fuel it would stay in TH rather than have to reset it all the time
Me too!
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