Tow Haul Button - does it matter?

[etojeo]

Okay, here we go newbie stupid question #2...
I have a 2019 Ram 2500 (4x4 Crew Cab) with a 6.4 L Hemi towing a 25 foot Flying Cloud. I know the Tow Haul button changes the shift points (holds them longer?) but once I get rolling and up to speed, does that really matter?
Should I push it in and just leave it in for the entire duration of the tow or just when accelerating to speed?
Advice and knowledge is welcome! Thanks

[Aluminaut]

since i'm moving toward getting a Ram myself, i'd like to know the answer to this. i'd imagine it's a button you leave activated for the duration of your trip.

[Bill M.]

Mine is a 2007 Ram diesel. I run it in tow-haul always when pulling. Changes the shift points and makes the shift more positive. In the mountains when running 55 or less I go to the next step, OD off. I think using the tow haul is easier on the transmission. On flat ground it makes no difference if you cut it off while at speed so there is no point to doing that. Your trailer is probably right at the bottom of the weight that actually needs tow haul. But I think using it will preserve the transmission.

[Acheron2010]

For me in my gas Silverado 2500, unless I am in the mountains, I leave it off, and enjoy another mile per gallon.

[Mollysdad]

I always activate it.
I forget when I get gas and it defaults to off, but usually I catch up.
Yes, it changes the shift points much higher, so you'll stay in a lower gear longer.
2015 Tundra.

[mikeinca]

I have a 2017 F250 diesel but I don't imagine the tow-haul feature on my truck works that much differently than it does in the Dodge.

Staying in each gear longer while accelerating is one aspect of the tow-haul feature as is the transmission kicking down into a lower gear earlier under load. The Powerstroke in my truck has so much torque that I don't find that the transmission downshifts excessively. The most important feature of tow haul, IMHO, is that the transmission will shift into successively lower gears when the brakes are applied. This is especially useful while descending a grade and helps with speed control.

On the straight and level I don't find much difference in how the transmission shifts so I leave it in tow-haul mode most of the time, including when the cruise control is activated.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Turn it on whenever you are towing. Fiddling with it while in motion is a distraction you very much do *not* need.

Bob

[dznf0g]

Do some research for your brand, but for GM, it not only raises shift points, activates decel down shifting, but also raises line pressure to keep more clutch application force. GM recommends using it when gcw is at or above 75% of rated gcwr.

[jeffmc306]

Found this in my ‘19 Ram 1500 owner’s manual - sounds like it’s “as needed” but as other posters have said, I leave it engaged when towing.

Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. The transmission controls include a drive strategy to avoid frequent shifting when towing. However, if frequent shift- ing does occur while in DRIVE, select TOW/HAUL mode or select a lower gear range (using the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control).
NOTE: Using TOW/HAUL mode or selecting a lower gear range (using the ERS shift control) while operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions will improve per- formance and extend transmission life by reducing exces- sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also provide better engine braking.
Tow/Haul Mode
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat- ing, activate TOW/HAUL mode when driving in hilly areas, or select a lower gear range (using the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control) on more severe grades.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Do some research for your brand, but for GM, it not only raises shift points, activates decel down shifting, but also raises line pressure to keep more clutch application force. GM recommends using it when gcw is at or above 75% of rated gcwr.

x 2

[SilverWind]

From what I understand the Tow/Haul button in my 2016 RAM also tells the engine control unit to downshift on grades while towing and activate the anti-sway features, among other things.

[A W Warn]

I use tow haul when I am towing in the hills is because it engages grade braking when needed. Without tow haul turned on it does not, according to my owners manual.
At other times I will use tow haul in stop and go traffic because it seems to be easier on the transmission and keeps the RPMs higher, at the top of the power curve, at low speeds
When I am in the flat lands I'll switch it off so that it will go into the higher gears easier for better fuel economy.

[Al and Missy]

MY 2013 Ram 2500 Cummins will not go into 7th gear in Tow Haul resulting in slightly less fuel economy which, in my mind, is more than offset by the advantages mentioned by the others. I always (unless I forget at a fuel stop) use tow haul when towing.


Al

[bolerama]

Another nice feature is that it prevents your vehicle from lurching when you are hooking up. We had a steep driveway. Whenever I'd line up the vehicle for hitching, and then put it in park, it would lurch forward. Frustrating. Tow/haul mode prevents that. It holds the vehicle in the right place while you lower the trailer. Maybe this is less important when one person is lowering the trailer for you while your foot is on the brake, but it's really useful when you are doing it by yourself.
Lisa

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by bolerama

Another nice feature is that it prevents your vehicle from lurching when you are hooking up. We had a steep driveway. Whenever I'd line up the vehicle for hitching, and then put it in park, it would lurch forward. Frustrating. Tow/haul mode prevents that. It holds the vehicle in the right place while you lower the trailer. Maybe this is less important when one person is lowering the trailer for you while your foot is on the brake, but it's really useful when you are doing it by yourself.
Lisa

Use the park brake before putting it in park.

[bolerama]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Use the park brake before putting it in park.

Well . . . we did that once . . . and then forgot to release it. The stench! Luckily we hadn't got too far. We don't live in that house anymore, so we don't hitch up on a grade. Using tow/haul was a great find.

[lsbrodsky]

One item I did not see posted is that T/H also changes the alternator charging profile so that the voltage stays up to charge the coach batteries.
Larry

[AirstreamJim]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Use the park brake before putting it in park.

I don’t ever exit any vehicle without setting the parking brake. I started doing this a few years back when I read about unexplained roll-away events with Jeep Grand Cherokees, which we also own.

While I’ve certainly owned vehicles in the past that would happily drive off with the parking brake set, none of my current vehicles will do that. The Jeep and the RAM 2500 in particular won’t move an inch with the parking brake set, so there’s no chance of driving off and burning up the brake.

Call it a belt and suspenders approach, but setting the parking brake while hitching up not only prevents that small roll that will screw up your hitch process, but it also adds a layer of security for your helper who may be behind the TV, if somehow the TV pops into reverse (or you somehow didn’t successfully put in Park).

Sorry for the hijack...now, back to the Tow/Haul discussion.

Jim

[Gleverett]

Ford F150 4x4 Ecoboost towing 25'FC. I use the tow haul all the time when towing. As someone already said it aids in slowing when going downhill without having to brake as much.

[Lucy Goosy]

When I tow I use the Tow Haul. Without it at slightly higher speeds the TV seems to move around and if needing to stop in a hurry the TH really helps.