Ford Questions

I know the guys who designed that tranny/engine combination. First of all, Tow/Hawl mode changes shift points, releiving stress on the transmission. This might seem like it will consume more fuel, although they insist that it should save fuel. Their explanation: The RV is heavy enough to be considered as a vehicle towing. I tested in several different units, and the difference is minimal, and in the lower side.
Second, the transmission will allow you to use the engine to slow down, which is in my mind the best advantage of this transmission.
All that said, It has been proven that using the tow/hawl mode will prolong the life of your transmission. I have seens trannys last over 300K, as rentlas, as long as the default is Tow/Hawl mode is ON.

IMO-yours may vary. My older Fords with 4 speed transmissions were labeled OD Lockout and that's all they did. Banks actually makes a device that will change the shift points of the Ford 4 speeds. I believe when the shifter button began to be labeled Tow Haul, that's when the shift points began to be modified, both in an up and down direction. My TorqueShift 6 speed definately works that way using both OD gears 5th & 6th. I do not know how the 5 speed TorqueShift works, and in 2014 I don't know whether the 5 or 6 speed was used. In later pickup trucks the engine braking down shifting function was separated from the tow haul button with its own button. All the more need for the OP to download a manual.

ferndaleflyer wrote:
Sorry Bruce Brown if I have misunderstood Ford and my transmission rebuilder about these transmissions in all these Fords I have owned over the past 40 years or so. Maybe I am just old and my memory is fading, but it worked like that this morning.

Technology changes quick, it can be hard to keep up.

Sorry Bruce Brown if I have misunderstood Ford and my transmission rebuilder about these transmissions in all these Fords I have owned over the past 40 years or so. Maybe I am just old and my memory is fading, but it worked like that this morning.

It likely will look like this.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjH8o-ez7fkAhUlFjQIHQtvBc8QjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.ca%2Fen%2Fip%2FDicor-Corp-V22501-TOL-Wheel-Simulator-Tool-Use-Install-Remove-Ford-Chevy-GMC-Workhorse-Freightliner-Oshkosh-Spartan-Wheel-Simulators%2FPRD244MTEGNN04P&psig=AOvVaw1_iin1Mkwfanr0JdF1kiPd&ust=1567701965149465

If you don't have one buy an 1 1/8 (?) socket and an extension will work. You don't need to tighten them very tight, just snug them down. And watch for tire shops that attack them with the impact wrench.

mleekamp wrote:
jy is correct...but allow me to add to that. Tow/Haul not only changes the shift points of the transmission, allowing it to hold a gear longer for towing or hilly climbs, it also functions as a "transmission brake" when going downhill. jy mentions this as well.

I recommend going to Ford website and you can download a PDF of the chassis owners manual, which should be a must for a chassis you are not familiar with.

What he said ^^^^
Manual vvv

2014 F-53 Manual

Horsedoc wrote:

Depends on the type wheel, but if the caps look like chrome lug nuts (about 8 of them) there will be two that hold the hubcap on. Look carefully to determine which is fake and which holds the caps on. Somewhere in your rig, there is likely a T handle tool with a socket fits these "nuts". Carefully loosen the two 'real' nuts and the cap should come off. Good news is these two are 180 degrees from each other.

One easy way to find the real nuts vs the fake ones is to tap them (gently) with the wrench and listen to the sound they make. The real ones go tunk, the fake ones go clack. You can peer and squint and try to make out the dimples in the top and/or sides, but it's so much easier and quicker to rap them.

ferndaleflyer wrote:
Don't know about hub caps but tow mode just keeps it out of over drive and decreases fuel mileage.

False

jy is correct...but allow me to add to that. Tow/Haul not only changes the shift points of the transmission, allowing it to hold a gear longer for towing or hilly climbs, it also functions as a "transmission brake" when going downhill. jy mentions this as well.

I recommend going to Ford website and you can download a PDF of the chassis owners manual, which should be a must for a chassis you are not familiar with.

More than likely, the wheel covers are held on by three nuts.