Should I push in the "Overdrive" button when towing?

CrowCross · 01-23-2021, 11:49 PM

So, who uses the "overdrive" when towing with their class C?

Maybe someone can explain when to use it and when not to use it when towing a car behind their motor home.

Trapper2020 · 01-24-2021, 05:52 AM

We have a 2020 model so not sure if our transmissions are the same. I had same question since I did not like the shift points being used when button was depressed. The response I received from a transmission engineer was that with our transmission it did not matter if you used it or not. No damage was occurring if you choose not to use it. I never use it and we tow a Jeep when ever we travel. Safe travels

Enjoy the journey

ALJO · 01-24-2021, 07:28 AM

Best is to watch the temp of the Transmission and Engine oil gauge if you're on the flat, going up hill I would for sure disconnect overdrive.

CAG · 01-24-2021, 09:10 AM

Are you talking about the tow/haul button? Using the tow/changes shift point and will help hold your downhill speed. I can set the cruise to 55 in tow/haul and maintain the set speed all the way down steep grades.

It’s purpose is covered in you vehicle owner’s manual.

ALJO · 01-24-2021, 10:01 AM

On steep grades you adjust the gears manually to hold the speed on the engine. Gear up is close to gear down. The cruise control will not hold the weight of the force and will accelerate the RPM and the vehicle speed. For the not clear thinkers they have the Runaway lanes.

CAG · 01-24-2021, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALJO

On steep grades you adjust the gears manually to hold the speed on the engine. Gear up is close to gear down. The cruise control will not hold the weight of the force and will accelerate the RPM and the vehicle speed. For the not clear thinkers they have the Runaway lanes.

Perhaps you would like to come drive mine down off of the Rim, Sunset Point, or from Payson down the BeeLine. In cruise with the speed set at 55 I really never have to touch the brake. To my surprise, when I first started using the tow/haul that way it worked as well or better than my turbobrake on the Duramax.

Now granted, it may work differently on yours but I tried the downshifting with the gear shift. It holds you in one gear, which does not allow the transmission to shift up or down when it needs to on grades. The tow/haul does that and is designed to do that.

CAG · 01-24-2021, 10:23 AM

I should mention that with it in Tow/Haul you do not need to use the cruise to hold the gear. You simply get the vehicle to a speed you want to hold and press the brake. I have found it seems to hold better in cruise. It won't go runaway on you.

From another site:
The tow/haul feature:
• Delays upshifts to reduce the frequency
of transmission shifting.
• Provides engine braking in all forward
gears, which slows your vehicle and
assists you in controlling your vehicle
when descending a grade.
• Depending on driving conditions and
load conditions, may downshift the
transmission, slow your vehicle and
control your vehicle speed when
descending a hill, without pressing the
accelerator pedal. The amount of
downshift braking provided varies
based upon the amount you press the
brake pedal.
The tow/haul feature improves
transmission operation when towing a
trailer or a heavy load. All transmission
gear ranges are available when using
tow/haul.

Duke4857 · 01-24-2021, 10:26 AM

When descending a grade with the Ram, I have it in tow/haul and set the cruse control about 10 miles per hour lower than the target speed. Than the speed is held down very well until some one tosses in a sharp corner. Then I have to use the brakes and hit resume.

CAG · 01-24-2021, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke4857

When descending a grade with the Ram, I have it in tow/haul and set the cruse control about 10 miles per hour lower than the target speed. Than the speed is held down very well until some one tosses in a sharp corner. Then I have to use the brakes and hit resume.

Yeah, I get it set coming out of Payson and there is a 25mph curve about 3 miles down. It caused me to have to do that too.

craigav · 01-24-2021, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAG

I should mention that with it in Tow/Haul you do not need to use the cruise to hold the gear. You simply get the vehicle to a speed you want to hold and press the brake. I have found it seems to hold better in cruise. It won't go runaway on you.

From another site:
The tow/haul feature:
• Delays upshifts to reduce the frequency
of transmission shifting.
• Provides engine braking in all forward
gears, which slows your vehicle and
assists you in controlling your vehicle
when descending a grade.
• Depending on driving conditions and
load conditions, may downshift the
transmission, slow your vehicle and
control your vehicle speed when
descending a hill, without pressing the
accelerator pedal. The amount of
downshift braking provided varies
based upon the amount you press the
brake pedal.
The tow/haul feature improves
transmission operation when towing a
trailer or a heavy load. All transmission
gear ranges are available when using
tow/haul.

I will also add to what CAG shared, that years ago I shared some comments with a man who claimed he was an engineer for the Ford Transmissions, (I took his word as he went into a lot of technical details), in any case, he stated that the E350 and E450 chassis is used for other purposes than RV's, such as cargo\delivery vans and the Tow\Haul should be used anytime there was a heavy load being towed or hauled, and that for an RV like we have to consider that you are always carrying (hauling) a heavy load and therefore you should use this option all of the time for overall longevity of the drivetrain.

Also keep in mind, that the engine braking does not occur unless you are in the tow/haul mode. The engine braking is absolutely needed when going down a mountain pass, and while some people simply drop the gear lever down to a lower gear and not use the tow\haul mode, the system is designed to "automatically" do that for you when using the tow\haul mode. Another quick point is even if you are not in the mountains, the engine braking (gear downshifting) takes effect with all stops, even when on flat ground which will make your brakes last longer.

So in summary, I recommend to always use tow\haul and that is what Ford recommends as well however there have been times when I was going slow on a flat road that turning it off would allow for an upshift so there are times I have turned it off, but as a rule of thumb I keep it on all the time with few exceptions. ~CA

craigav · 01-24-2021, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrowCross

So, who uses the "overdrive" when towing with their class C?

Maybe someone can explain when to use it and when not to use it when towing a car behind their motor home.

BTW CrowCross,

Which Class C do you have? The chevrolet based Class C's have (at least certain year models) an overdrive\towhaul mode switch combo switch (so you can turn off and on OD or TH). When I was towing my 5th wheel with my Chev Duramax 2500HD, I would turn off OverDrive at times such as hilly conditions where it would go in and out of OD often, and turning off the OD would help with that. My comment above was based on Ford E350 and E450 Class C's, and not Chevrolet based Class C's. ~CA

Scoutmaster253 · 01-24-2021, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrowCross

So, who uses the "overdrive" when towing with their class C?

Maybe someone can explain when to use it and when not to use it when towing a car behind their motor home.

Did your unit come with an owners manual? It would be best to familiarize yourself with its recommendations.

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