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04-16-2015, 09:21 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 266
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Tow Mode?
How many tow in tow mode?
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04-16-2015, 09:26 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: winnipeg
Posts: 257
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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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04-16-2015, 09:31 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Aurora CO
Posts: 2,334
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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
__________________
Jim & Kim from Colorado
2014 Eagle 30.5 RLS
2015 Dodge 3500HD SRW 6.7L
Click on my profile for Mods and notes
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04-16-2015, 09:37 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 266
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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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04-16-2015, 09:40 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Olsburg
Posts: 348
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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.
__________________
2015 Eagle 34.5 BHTS FW
2012 Chevy 2500HD LTZ CC 4x4 DMAX
B&W Companion
TST 507 flow thru
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04-16-2015, 09:50 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 942
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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.
__________________
Geoff & Jill
& Sierra, the little white monster
2013 Ford F-150 XTR SC Ecoboost
2015 Jayco Jay Flight 24FBS
Winnipeg, Manitoba
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04-16-2015, 10:40 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Lancaster CA
Posts: 125
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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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04-17-2015, 06:32 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
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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
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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04-17-2015, 07:07 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Black Hills of South Dakota
Posts: 75
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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.
__________________
Me, DW & our Choc Lab, Ghirardelli
2013 Chevy Silverado 3500HD LTZ 4WD CC Dually 6.6L Diesel Allison Trans
2017 Jayco Pinnacle 36KPTS
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04-17-2015, 07:24 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 369
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Yup. TH Mode all of the time when towing. Manages the engine especially when going up and down hills.
D
__________________
-Derek
2014 White Hawk 28DSBH
2012 F150 EcoBoost MaxTow (2022 F150 PowerBoost on order)
Reese 1200 WDH / Dual Cam Sway Control
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04-17-2015, 07:30 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Alberta
Posts: 557
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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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04-17-2015, 07:30 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,207
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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...
__________________
-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
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04-17-2015, 07:31 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 266
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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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04-17-2015, 07:37 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: New Bern
Posts: 402
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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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04-17-2015, 07:40 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 3,430
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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.
__________________
Chuck
2013 Jayco Jayfeather X20 E (sold)
2016 Chevy Silverado LTZ 2 Z71 Crew Cab (sold, and dearly missed)
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04-17-2015, 07:45 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,207
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xtruckerbob
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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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...
__________________
-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
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04-17-2015, 07:53 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sparta, TN
Posts: 1,174
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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.
__________________
Chuck - Sparta, TN
2012 Jay Flight 22FB, 2 x Honda EU2000i
2013 GMC Yukon XL Denali AWD
EDUCATION is what you get when you read the fine print.....
EXPERIENCE is what you get when you don't.
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04-17-2015, 09:23 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: MD
Posts: 3,856
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If I'm towing, it's in tow mode.
__________________
2017 JayFlight 28BHBE
2014 JayFlight Swift 264BH (Sold)
2007 GMC 2500 Sierra Classic Crew Cab LBZ Duramax / 6spd Allison
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04-17-2015, 09:59 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Midlothian, TX
Posts: 277
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
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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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.
__________________
Brian, Michelle, 2 boys and Sadie Mae the beagle
2010 Toyota Tundra Crew Max 5.7L
2015 Jayco White Hawk 33BHBS Summit Edition, Glacier Package
Equil-I-Zer WDH
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04-17-2015, 10:55 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: New Richmond
Posts: 110
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
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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Me too!
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2020 Eagle 321RSTS
2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD 6.6 Gas
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