I recently purchased a 30 foot 2015 Four Winds Majestic with a Ford E-450 Triton engine from Cruise America. Interestingly, Tow/Haul mode is engaged by default upon starting. The sticker on the gearshift suggests keeping it in this mode will improve fuel economy. Trouble is, the transmission is agonizingly slow to gear up, often times getting stuck in 2nd or 3rd gear and racing the engine to 4,000 screaming rpms before shifting. When it began doing it again this morning, I immediately punched out of Tow/Haul mode and the gears shifted normally without excessive RPMs. I've looked at other forums for answers but no one specifically addresses the issue of using this mode apart from actually towing something, which I'm not doing with the motor home. I'm looking for perspective here, whether this is normal, do I have a transmission problem, or am I correct to trust my instincts and only engage Tow/Haul when I feel the transmission is hunting.

Ask a Ford dealer to cause the computer that controls the transmission to reset so it can relearn civilized behavior.

On my 06, the TowHaul mode is normally off, NO light on gear shift. Even if I've been using TowHaul mode and shut the ignition off, when restarted, the light and TH mode will be off. TowHaul has to be turned on manually everytime the engine is started (If you want it on). Maybe Cruise America has had them reprogrammed. A little misnomer for the C-class, you may not be towing, but you are hauling near GVWR (14500lbs) and with the aerodynamics of a brick, even worse. I've found having the TH mode turned on does help with the transmission not hunting for gears on grades. VERY HELPFUL on downgrades with engine/transmission braking. The first time we took the MH out, the transmission/engine went to 4000 plus rpms held until the grade leveled out. I checked with the Ford dealer and he said that it was normal operation, no worries.Ken

If you disconnect both your chassis and house batteries overnight, the hard-reset might place Tow-Haul mode into "off" by default.Make sure your trans fluid is at the proper level. If any is needed, MAKE SURE you add the right kind. Don't add just any generic trans fluid. All Ford trans require a specific trans fluid.I would not worry about the situation because it sounds normal, especially after a cold start. Just take it out of Tow-Haul before putting the shifter in drive.I wish our 2007 E350-V10 had your problem, Tow-Haul "on" by default. I say this because the weight of our rig with tow vehicle is in a Tow-Haul mode scenario 100% of the time, easily 15,000 pounds combined vehicle weight. Many years ago when our rig was a few years old, I called my local Ford dealer inquiring if they could program the Tow-Haul to be on by default. They said "no".So....I put the trans in Tow-Haul mode right away, every dang time I remember.

"So....I put the trans in Tow-Haul mode right away, every dang time I remember." Ron, I occasionally forget to engage TH but my Scan Gauge quickly reminds me as the trans fluid temps begin to rise significantly on even slight grades, :S oops forgot again, a push of the button and with TH engaged they quickly fall back to the proper/normal levels.You do have a Scan Gauge, yes?As noted above TH especially on an E-450 should be engaged virtually all of the time due to the weight and aerodynamics {or lack thereof}. What the OP described does not sound right and the suggestion to have the dealer reflash the ECM sounds like the way to go.I have spoken with a couple of dozen folks renting C's and not one was ever given a syllable of instruction on using TH. This tells me two things, one; most of the folks renting them are blissfully ignorant of this function and two, most rental RV are slowly but surely cooking their transmissions, caveat emptor. :E

Desert Captain wrote:As noted above TH especially on an E-450 should be engaged virtually all of the time due to the weight and aerodynamics {or lack thereof}. What the OP described does not sound right and the suggestion to have the dealer reflash the ECM sounds like the way to go.I have spoken with a couple of dozen folks renting C's and not one was ever given a syllable of instruction on using TH. This tells me two things, one; most of the folks renting them are blissfully ignorant of this function and two, most rental RV are slowly but surely cooking their transmissions, caveat emptor. :ETo be clear, my unit DEFAULTS automatically to engage T/H upon starting. CA, it seems, is doing itself and renters a favor in this regard and even reminding drivers with the sticker on the gear shift lever to keep it engaged for better fuel economy. Your points--and those repeated by others earlier--about keeping it engaged are appreciated. I failed to take into account the continuous load factor / added weight built onto the chassis. I'm getting the transmission fully serviced later this week and will definitely inquire about re-flashing the ECM. Thanks to you all who contributed to my education!

Issues with Tow/Haul mode | Good Sam Community

ron_dittmer
Explorer II
Feb 18, 2020
If you disconnect both your chassis and house batteries overnight, the hard-reset might place Tow-Haul mode into "off" by default.

Make sure your trans fluid is at the proper level. If any is needed, MAKE SURE you add the right kind. Don't add just any generic trans fluid. All Ford trans require a specific trans fluid.

I would not worry about the situation because it sounds normal, especially after a cold start. Just take it out of Tow-Haul before putting the shifter in drive.

I wish our 2007 E350-V10 had your problem, Tow-Haul "on" by default. I say this because the weight of our rig with tow vehicle is in a Tow-Haul mode scenario 100% of the time, easily 15,000 pounds combined vehicle weight. Many years ago when our rig was a few years old, I called my local Ford dealer inquiring if they could program the Tow-Haul to be on by default. They said "no".

So....I put the trans in Tow-Haul mode right away, every dang time I remember.
Beverley_Ken
Explorer
Feb 18, 2020
On my 06, the TowHaul mode is normally off, NO light on gear shift. Even if I've been using TowHaul mode and shut the ignition off, when restarted, the light and TH mode will be off. TowHaul has to be turned on manually everytime the engine is started (If you want it on). Maybe Cruise America has had them reprogrammed.
A little misnomer for the C-class, you may not be towing, but you are hauling near GVWR (14500lbs) and with the aerodynamics of a brick, even worse. I've found having the TH mode turned on does help with the transmission not hunting for gears on grades. VERY HELPFUL on downgrades with engine/transmission braking.
The first time we took the MH out, the transmission/engine went to 4000 plus rpms held until the grade leveled out. I checked with the Ford dealer and he said that it was normal operation, no worries.

Ken
naturist
Nomad
Feb 17, 2020
Ask a Ford dealer to cause the computer that controls the transmission to reset so it can relearn civilized behavior.

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