Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-31-2014, 10:46 AM   #1
2 Rivet Member
 
Grrrwolf's Avatar
 
1977 31' Sovereign
Overland Park , Kansas
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 49
Images: 2
Ram Tow/Haul Mode

Does anyone know what in the world the Tow/Haul mode does in the Ram? I know that it deactivates the 4banger function but the proper way to do that is to use the shifter to select a highest gear. Is this just sending the stability control a heads up to expect something different or is more going on in there? Thanks a lot.
Grrrwolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2014, 10:52 AM   #2
Rivet Master
 
Wayward's Avatar
 
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Broadway , North Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 838
Not sure what you Ram does but on my F250, I noticed the shift behavor changes and the truck responds differently to gas pedal position and angle of incline/decline.

. e.g. Torque converter lockup for deceleration. Delayed upshifts to allow the motor to rev up into its torque range. Downshifts happen more firmly with less gas pedal pressure. When going downhill, it is watching brake pedal pressure and downshifts much more aggressively to maximize engine braking.

I might add that it seems to act this way if something plugged into the 7-pin trailer connector and is in tow/haul mode.
__________________
2006 Safari SE FB
2000 F150 4.2L (retired), 2011 F250 6.2L, 2010 ML550, 2000 Excursion 7.3L
Broadway, NC
Wayward is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2014, 10:54 AM   #3
jcl
Rivet Master
 
Currently Looking...
Vancouver , British Columbia
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,566
I would expect it to change the shifting characteristics (rpm at which it shifts, downshifting for descents) in addition to torque converter lock up and highest gear. It will likely depend on which model year and transmission you have.
jcl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2014, 11:07 AM   #4
Rivet Master
 
Currently Looking...
Mantua , Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,062
Blog Entries: 2
What year Ram? Jim
xrvr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2014, 11:20 AM   #5
2 Rivet Member
 
Grrrwolf's Avatar
 
1977 31' Sovereign
Overland Park , Kansas
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 49
Images: 2
2012 1500 LL 4x4 w/3.92 towing a heavy 31'.
Grrrwolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2014, 11:33 AM   #6
Moderator
 
DKB_SATX's Avatar

 
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights , Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,493
Images: 1
Blog Entries: 7
Ram says the following in the manual:
When operating in TOW/HAUL mode, transmission upshifts are delayed, and the trans- mission will automatically downshift (for engine braking) when the throttle is closed and/or during steady braking maneuvers.
There's another section about "Hill Start Assist" that helps compensate for the extra weight of a trailer when tow/haul is selected. It seems to also say that overdrive is either avoided or locked out entirely in tow/haul, but it's not very specific about that.
__________________
— David

Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566

He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
DKB_SATX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2014, 11:43 AM   #7
Rivet Master
 
SteveH's Avatar
 
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense , Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
Quote:
Originally Posted by DKB_SATX View Post
Ram says the following in the manual:
When operating in TOW/HAUL mode, transmission upshifts are delayed, and the trans- mission will automatically downshift (for engine braking) when the throttle is closed and/or during steady braking maneuvers.
There's another section about "Hill Start Assist" that helps compensate for the extra weight of a trailer when tow/haul is selected. It seems to also say that overdrive is either avoided or locked out entirely in tow/haul, but it's not very specific about that.
My Ram is a 2500 Cummins, but that's what it does in tow/haul. Many times I don't use it out on the open road in relatively flat terrain, but I always use it in hilly country, along with the exhaust brake.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
SteveH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2014, 11:44 AM   #8
Rivet Master
 
RickDavis's Avatar
 
1961 24' Tradewind
1969 29' Ambassador
1970 21' Globetrotter
Jamestown , Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,783
I had a lengthy reply written and then realized your is gas and mine is diesel.

I think the basic answer is it changes the shift points and makes the shifts more solid.
I doubt that it has anything with the skid control. Mine has a switch to turn skid control off if desired
__________________
Rick Davis 1602 K8DOC
61 tradewind, plus a few others
13 Ram 2500 TD
99 Dodge TD 577K miles

RickDavis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2014, 03:52 PM   #9
2 Rivet Member
 
Grrrwolf's Avatar
 
1977 31' Sovereign
Overland Park , Kansas
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 49
Images: 2
I appreciate the responses. I ask because I purposely left it in tow mode for an entire tank and it didn't affect the mileage. Mainly city driving BTW.
Grrrwolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2014, 04:35 PM   #10
Rivet Master
 
RickDavis's Avatar
 
1961 24' Tradewind
1969 29' Ambassador
1970 21' Globetrotter
Jamestown , Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,783
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grrrwolf View Post
I appreciate the responses. I ask because I purposely left it in tow mode for an entire tank and it didn't affect the mileage. Mainly city driving BTW.
I prefer tow haul in the city and on out twisty country roads.
__________________
Rick Davis 1602 K8DOC
61 tradewind, plus a few others
13 Ram 2500 TD
99 Dodge TD 577K miles

RickDavis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2014, 05:03 PM   #11
Rivet Master
 
dkottum's Avatar
 
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake , Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
We have the 2012 gas hemi engine and 6-spd. Tow/haul keeps it out of overdrive and keeps all eight cylinders on line. If we are towing in hilly country with cruise control, I drop it an additional gear or two as needed to keep the engine from repeated downshifts. Sweet engine/trans towing our 25 with good power, decent on gas in 2100-2400 rpm range.

I don't think tow/haul has anything to do with stability control, does it?
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles

The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
dkottum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2014, 05:50 PM   #12
3 Rivet Member
 
jasperkins's Avatar
 
2012 27' FB Eddie Bauer
2018 Tommy Bahama Interstate
Ouray , Colorado
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 185
I have the 2013 Ram 3500 Mega Cab, and have towed our AS from Colorado to the Carolinas to the Keys. 17K miles in 6 months!

The Tow / Haul mode really makes a difference when pulling as the shifts are much smoother. For example, stomp the gas pedal, and the engine kick does not yank the AS and its contents from an immediate downshift of 3 gears. I always turn this option on when towing. It has not made any noticeable difference with MPG. I still get ~15 mpg at 55 mph on average level ground. Now at 80 mph, I only get 12 mpg
jasperkins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2014, 05:10 AM   #13
Rivet Master
 
Wayward's Avatar
 
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Broadway , North Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 838
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grrrwolf View Post
I appreciate the responses. I ask because I purposely left it in tow mode for an entire tank and it didn't affect the mileage. Mainly city driving BTW.
Switching on Tow/Haul mode does not seem to change much of anything on my truck unless the trailer connector is plugged in.
__________________
2006 Safari SE FB
2000 F150 4.2L (retired), 2011 F250 6.2L, 2010 ML550, 2000 Excursion 7.3L
Broadway, NC
Wayward is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2015, 10:42 AM   #14
2 Rivet Member
 
Kalamazoo , Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 26
Okay, this is something I should have found out before I started full-timing 11 months ago, but so I have to do something to switch on the Tow/Haul mode aside from pulling in the trailer connector? I am riding my brakes too much out west on these mountains. I've already had one brake job done.
Kalamazookim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2015, 11:29 AM   #15
Rivet Master
 
SteveH's Avatar
 
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense , Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalamazookim View Post
Okay, this is something I should have found out before I started full-timing 11 months ago, but so I have to do something to switch on the Tow/Haul mode aside from pulling in the trailer connector? I am riding my brakes too much out west on these mountains. I've already had one brake job done.
Don't know what year model you have, but my '12 has a button on the dash under the radio, and there's a light that comes on in the instrument panel that comes on when in tow/haul mode.

Problem is, you have to push the button every time you restart the truck.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
SteveH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2015, 11:37 AM   #16
Rivet Master
 
interstateflyer's Avatar
 
2017 25' International
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Los Osos , California
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 916
Images: 7
I use tow/haul on my 2013 RAM 1500 whenever towing. I like the response when I tap the brakes going down hill. The stability control feature is well worth it if needed. It also reduces the number of shifts which should help preserve the transmission in the long run.
__________________
2017 Airstream International Serenity 25FB
2016 RAM 2500 Crew Cab Cummins 6.7 Diesel
interstateflyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2015, 12:12 PM   #17
Rivet Master
 
PharmGeek's Avatar
 
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover , Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
I have a 2010 RAM2500 diesel....when in tow haul mode, the noticeable difference for me is when going DOWN a big mountain or hill...etc....

The exhaust brake as far as I can tell can only engage when you are at certain RPM's...or something like that....so like running above 50mph universally, let off the gas, it engages....but then as you get slowing down below that and you remain in a high gear when NOT in tow/haul mode, no exhaust brake.

With the tow/haul mode on, as I brake, and go below say 45mph, the truck seems to sense my braking, and tells the truck to automatically downshift...which keeps up the RPMs and keeps the exhaust brake engaged and slowing me down...

So in effect, without the exhaust brake on down a mountain, not in tow haul mode, mostly you will ride the brakes at say 20-35mph...but with it on, the exhaust brake will keep you slowed down with very little input from your brakes.

I do not keep on the tow/haul mode though when on fairly flat terrain...but almost always when I approach a situation when I known I will be going from say 60mph off highway down a steeper bypass then stop, I will engage it, so I do not have to ride the brakes much at all...

But when in other contexts...having it down shift will slow you down more than you will like based on the conditions....

This is just my experience keep in mind, I am not an expert....

Alls I can say is that thing going down a mountain is FANTABULOUS.
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”


PharmGeek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2015, 12:27 PM   #18
Rivet Master
 
crispyboy's Avatar
 
1994 30' Excella
alexandria , Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,310
Images: 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by PharmGeek View Post
I do not keep on the tow/haul mode though when on fairly flat terrain...but almost always when I approach a situation when I known I will be going from say 60mph off highway down a steeper bypass then stop, I will engage it, so I do not have to ride the brakes much at all...
Pharm,
You should rally leave the transmission in tow/haul mode whenever your towing. This will allow the transmission to shift at a little higher rpm's, and hold a gear a little longer without lugging the engine and drive train. Not using the tow/haul when pulling heavy can also cause higher transmission temps. Also as you already know it is easier to control the load by using the throttle vs. the brake pedal.
__________________
Steve, Christy, Anna and Phoebe (Border Collie)
1994 Classic 30'11" Excella - rear twin
2009 Dodge 2500, 6 Speed Auto, CTD, Quad Cab, Short Bed
Hensley Arrow hitch with adjustable stinger
WBCCI # 3072
crispyboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2015, 12:33 PM   #19
Rivet Master
 
PharmGeek's Avatar
 
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Hoover , Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,530
Yeah, I actually have wondered....but when on the flat land just cruising, I am guilty of not putting it into tow haul mode....but when approaching any mountains and such, its in tow/haul for sure....but having read from others on here, I may leave it in tow/haul for sure...thankls.
__________________
“The atoms of our bodies are traceable to stars that manufactured them...We are not figuratively, but literally stardust.”


PharmGeek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2015, 12:57 PM   #20
Rivet Master
 
switz's Avatar

 
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction , Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,214
Images: 9
In our 2012 Ram 2500HD diesel, I have both the engine brake and the tow/haul mode on all the time when towing. The engine brake is always turned on when I get under way, even without the trailer.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC

TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell

2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
switz is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Dodge Ram 4x2 Cummins rp709 Tow Vehicles 0 01-21-2012 10:05 PM
2011 Dodge Ram "Trailer Brake Disconnected" problem HenryLasal Tow Vehicles 12 07-12-2011 11:51 PM
Honda EU2000i Vibrates in eco mode only? Patriot666 Mechanics Corner - Engines, Transmission & More... 11 05-10-2011 07:55 PM
Delta IV vs. 2011 Ram 3500 HD funkill Fun & Games 1 01-28-2011 02:05 PM
2010 Ram 3500 MegaCab - Took the Diesel Plunge! Freeheel Tow Vehicles 9 01-18-2011 07:19 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:50 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.