Tow Haul

[Bill M.]

Tow haul for me when I am towing. I think it is easier on the transmission. Never 4 wheel drive when towing for me. Cruise in fairly level areas and to help me keep my speed down when I am "running good".

[Ted S.]

I engage TH anytime my truck is towing.

I bought an Edge Insight and monitor many parameters in my engine, I learned it is much better for it in tow haul.

[Alluminati]

Someone told me (subject to correction) that the Tow/Haul on my Sequoia changes transmission shift points, increases throttle response, increases steering assist, increases brake assist, auto downshifts in conjunction with cruise control on downhills. It does not lockout 6th gear. If I forget to punch the Tow/Haul button when I start my engine, I’ll usually remember before I’m out of the parking lot, due to relatively sluggish performance when towing.

I only switch to 4WD when preparing to park the trailer off the pavement. I tear up less grass when the truck is in Lo-4.

[Piggy Bank]

Our experience is that it depends on what you are towing.

We have a Tundra v8 5.8L tow vehicle.

Our first Airstream was a Sport 22 Bambi. We noticed no difference with or without tow haul.

Now we have a Flying Cloud 25. Truck drives easier and controls easier with tow haul. Also use S drive gears vs using D drive, especially on grades or hills. The S gives smoother driving and better engine breaking.

We have not needed to use 4WD when towing, but would use if pulling from gravel or wet side road onto pavement, especially if the traffic speed on the pavement required getting up to speed quickly. (we use it about 6 days a year in the wintertime for city driving. But when you need it it's good to have it)

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by Dexterpix

If towing I use tow/haul. It's not rocket science.

Not using tow/haul when towing is like not using 4 wheel drive in a blizzard to save fuel, it makes no sense at all.

Joe D

My 07 ram ,6.7 6 speed auto had 110,000 miles all with the airstream,coast to coast, never any problems, never using .tow-option....when engaged going down hill with exhaust brake on , you touch your brake pedal it starts downshifting, I don't need that so I dont use it, and I do know how to use 4 wheel drive ,living in snow country all my life, also I don't use the tow option on my 17 ram, I never push it 1350 rpm at about 63-64 mph....14 mpg....my last KW with a 500 hp cat had 1.4 million miles never touched except for a Bearing roll in at 1 million miles ,grossing 105,000 lbs...

[rwsjms7]

Guess I should have mentioned what type of TV I have!!! Duh

I have a 2010 F150 Supercrew 4X4 Lariat with a 3.73 tow haul gear ratio.

I'm not real smart, but it seems the consensus is when hauling, use the tow haul... LOL

I'm from NJ so we are in the flat lands and my question really should have been more precise. When traveling on flat or relatively flat terrain, do you all still use the tow haul? Seems like the answer is YES.

I told you, I'm not real smart...

[Moflash]

It provides the best shift points and firmer shifts when towing along with many other benefits.
Also when in tow mode with a simple tap on the brake the transmission will immediately downshift 1 gear and hold.Two taps 2 gears etc.
Comes in very handy on long hills or steep grades.

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by Moflash

Also when in tow mode with a simple tap on the brake the transmission will immediately downshift 1 gear and hold.Two taps 2 gears etc.
Comes in very handy on long hills or steep grades.

What vehicle are you talking about? My JGC dies not do that in tow/haul.

[casandel]

I keep it engaged all the time, when i can remember to hit the button, which is usually desending a big hill.

[Moflash]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

What vehicle are you talking about? My JGC dies not do that in tow/haul.

What is a JGC??? Most late model light duty trucks (Ford,Chev,Dodge 1/2-1ton) have this feature. Unfortunately most owners are not aware of this due to not reading their owners manual.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by pteck

Of note and little known, Toyota's also have a Tow/Haul mode. It is much more subtlety named "ECT PWR".

My Tundra has a "Tow/Haul" button. Perhaps because it has a tow package with the 5.7 engine.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by rwsjms7

When towing, do most of you engage the tow haul all the time or only when in variable terrain?

Also, is it beneficial to utilize 4 wheel drive when towing?

Thanks in advance.

Yes, always use tow/haul when towing.

My take on 4wd is if you need it due to weather when towing you should probably not be towing.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by rwsjms7

Guess I should have mentioned what type of TV I have!!! Duh

I have a 2010 F150 Supercrew 4X4 Lariat with a 3.73 tow haul gear ratio.

I'm not real smart, but it seems the consensus is when hauling, use the tow haul... LOL

I'm from NJ so we are in the flat lands and my question really should have been more precise. When traveling on flat or relatively flat terrain, do you all still use the tow haul? Seems like the answer is YES.

I told you, I'm not real smart...

You're smart enough to know that when TOWING you use TOW HAUL mode. That's a start. NJ is not completely flat, you will still benefit from engine braking and firmer shifts.

[Tim A.]

Originally Posted by Moflash

What is a JGC??? Most late model light duty trucks (Ford,Chev,Dodge 1/2-1ton) have this feature. Unfortunately most owners are not aware of this due to not reading their owners manual.

I assume JGC is a Jeep Grand Cherokee. For the last several years, the models with an 8-speed transmission have not had a tow/haul mode. My experience is that the present set-up without it works better than the former models with tow/haul. That said, I always used tow/haul mode when I towed with a JGC having it.

Tim

[Thiss]

JGC=Jeep Grand Cherokee

I bet the Tow/Haul is drive train specific on the Jeeps because there are a number of options.

Also, I use tow haul in the Ram in most situation towing or not. I only don't use if on the freeway. Better throttle response. Better trans performance and temperature.

I wish the T/H was the default and the button was for "flat/straight" instead

No need for 4x4 unless on loose or frozen surface. Please everyone when traveling the gravel logging and forest service roads out west lock her up when going uphill. The washboards need all the relief they can get.

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by Moflash

What is a JGC??? Most late model light duty trucks (Ford,Chev,Dodge 1/2-1ton) have this feature. Unfortunately most owners are not aware of this due to not reading their owners manual.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi 4X4 with 6 speed auto and tow/haul, towing package and auto/adjustable suspension. Any more assumptions that I need to cover?

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The bottom line is that there is no one definition of "tow haul". What you get on this vehicle will not be what you get on another brand. Some outfits put it on there just to check off a marketing tick list. Others seem to put some thought into it.

Bob

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

You're smart enough to know that when TOWING you use TOW HAUL mode. That's a start. NJ is not completely flat, you will still benefit from engine braking and firmer shifts.

I don't use it,don't have to, even though we have some large hills out here, my tranny doesn't hunt, just pulls fine at 1400 rpm and 63-64mph in 6th gear, the trans temp is usually 168 degrees and the engine runs 194 degrees...the exhaust brake takes care of the down hill side....we use the 150 to go to the coffee shop not to tow the as....it is just 1 step above a car...

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

GM's position is if your GCW is 75% of the vehicle's GCWR, TH mode is of benefit.

Your discretion on 4WD based upon road surface conditions.

One little advertised benefit of GM Tow Haul is that it keeps the generator output voltage from dropping below about 13.5V, so that the trailer batteries are charged while towing. This can be useful, especially on 1500s, where the generator output voltage can be reduced to as low as about 12.8V in some situations to increase fuel economy if the truck battery is fully charged. At 12.8V, a discharged trailer battery would not be effectively charged while towing.

On 2500s and 3500s, there is less benefit, because the generator output voltage never goes below about 13.2V or so.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

I don't use it,don't have to, even though we have some large hills out here, my tranny doesn't hunt, just pulls fine at 1400 rpm and 63-64mph in 6th gear, the trans temp is usually 168 degrees and the engine runs 194 degrees...the exhaust brake takes care of the down hill side....we use the 150 to go to the coffee shop not to tow the as....it is just 1 step above a car...

That's ridiculous. An F150 properly configured can tow 12,000 lbs. One step above a car? Best give that calendar a flip, it ain't 1980 anymore.

You might not need tow haul but I think you have 100,000 miles on your truck in 10 years. Let's see how it runs at 320,000 miles, like my old 1500 my son still drives, or my diesel Suburban, currently at 250,000. I put 100k on in two years.