Tow Haul

Rickieh · Post by **Rickieh** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:21 am

Hi everyone
We have a Ford 250 2008 that is pulling a 34TS Cardinal. We just have completed our first trip and at the campground I have gotten mixed opinions on whether the tow haul feature of the truck should be kept on when pulling. Some have told me to use it only when going up/down inclines and others have told me to leave it on when pulling and that the loss in gas miles per hour is is nothing compared to the adverse effect leaving it off has on the transmission. Anyone else confronted with this ?

campswithcritters · Post by **campswithcritters** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:51 am

I have a Chevy, but leave it in to haul mode all the time when towing as per the owners manual.

gmarker · Post by **gmarker** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:47 am

I don't think either way will have any detrimental effect on the transmission. Using the tow/haul mode will change the shift point and will prevent the transmission from hunting for the optimal gear so much as the load changes. On mine I have found that using it all of the time when I am towing has very little effect on the mileage and I suspect it actually improves it under some conditions.

Post by **Mike Clay** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 6:40 am

As stated above it does effect shift points plus keeps you our of the tall gears and stops the hunting and the heat build up. Never owned a Ford but when I did have a Dodge that was auto impaired I would only kick it out of tow mode when i was on a flat stretch of freeway.

Donpop · Post by **Donpop** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:04 am

Rickieh:

I have a 2008 F350 SRW which would be identical to your TV but I have the V10 so if you have a diesel it might be different. When coming to a slow stop I can really tell the difference when in tow/haul mode as the converter stays locked up much longer and provides a lot of engine braking. I have a 2008 34QS which is fairly heavy and I usually double tow with ATVs on the second trailer so I never take it out of the tow/haul mode. I love it, a very adequate TV for my needs.

Don

Future Fulltimers · Post by **Future Fulltimers** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:31 am

campswithcritters wrote:I have a Chevy, but leave it in to haul mode all the time when towing as per the owners manual.

Same here. Like others have stated, I don't think it has any effect on the transmission (damage) or fuel milage. I would check your owner's manual and follow their recommendations.

Post by **Don Wilson** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:26 pm

I have a Dodge 3500 and use tow haul all of the time I am towing. Of course I rarely get over 63 miles per hour. On the Dodge if you have it in tow haul and push the selector button the next mode is overdrive off so you would really rev the engine dropping into it from tow haul to get into overdrive on!

Don.

Post by **Olbird** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:04 pm

Ford states that tow & haul must be used when you are towing.
I have a friend that pull a 31' 5th wheel 2,200 miles without using tow and haul and burned the clutch bands up in the transmission. Ford did repair it but told him it was from not using tow & haul.

I always use tow and haul and find the transmission performs better reduces stress and heat on the transmission.

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:23 am

Since I live on a coastal plain, I have done a lot of towing with tow/haul off. When in urban areas or hill terrain, I turn it on to reduce transmission stress. Mileage seem to be about the same either way, 12 MPG. I have been leaving it on more and more and agree that it puts less stress on the transmission.

campswithcritters · Post by **campswithcritters** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:14 am

Less stress? I guess, but I paid for a performance exhaust and like to hear it rumble a bit! Sounds much better in tow haul!

Rob & Cathy · Post by **Rob & Cathy** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:46 am

Hi Richeh, I too have a Torque Shift transmission. Before the TS transmission all you could do was turn off the overdrive. With the TS the tow/haul mode completely changes the characteristics of the transmission. Not only do the shift points change the torque converter locks sooner and it uses engine compression to assist in slowing down.

So mine stays in tow/haul mode when towing.

Rob

Diesel Dave 04 · Post by **Diesel Dave 04** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:17 pm

A ford does make a differance, One main differance is it pulls out on a differant part of the tranny.and it bost the line pressure for a firmer lock up of the converter.
In tow haul it pulls out on the coast clutch not the front Over drive sprag.
the tow haul also changes shift points and converter lock up pionts. and it also keeps the converter locked when you are slowing and it will drop a gear to aid in slowing the rig.