My old Winnebago E350 4R100 had overdrive and I would turn it off when climbing a steep grade or go down a long grade for braking. What's the difference with the Tow/Haul on the 5 speed. Same usage? Going to Death Valley soon and I always turned it off to climb from Olancha up and down into Panamint Valley and over Towne Pass and down into Death Valley. The new E450 has the 5-speed TorqShift® automatic overdrive transmission with Tow/Haul Mode and standard auxiliary external cooler.

Depends on the grade and then who you want to believe. We have 12 winnebago aspect, normally dont use the tow haul even when towing the car. I also have a F350 with the 6.0 diesel and seldom use the tow haul. Noiw many will chime in and say use all the time so it will be your call. The T/H is fairly good for long down hills but you get the same by a simple downshift.Really you need to play with it and see how it works and how you want it to work.Biggest thing I found to improve the shift points etc is the mikes 5 star rv tuner. Should be going on christmas sale soon.

Tow/Haul holds off the up-shift points a bit and is supposed to downshift a bit sooner.I notice the difference going both ways......except for the drop out of 5th (OD ?). The transition is abrupt; I think it goes directly out of lockup AND drops to 3rd. At least that's the way it feels.......in either "mode".I find this MADDENING since it invariably decides to downshift during about the last 10% of a gentle but long rolling hill if it is in cruise. I find I'm using cruise less and less.

As Sam says, Tow/Haul changes the programming of the transmission in various ways, altering the shift points and also the torque converter lock-up to try to be more sensible when carrying a big load and to try to keep the transmission temperatures down. I think it also enables or increases automatic engine braking when descending a hill (press the brake and it downshifts). Note that it does not lock out overdrive.I probably would generally travel with it engaged if I had that option; a motorhome is a permanent heavy load. As it is, I have the older unit with the 4R100 and the simple "don't overdrive" button.

I have never used the tow/haul for going up hills. But, I do use it occasionally for steeper down hills. It does a good job of maintaining speed going down with only a tap on the brakes now and then. At lower speeds, it will cause the tranny to downshift even if not necessary. I have read stories on this site and others about RVs losing their brakes on steep descents ending with bad outcomes. If you travel mountain roads, I would suggest using the function.

So on the long grade into Death Valley I believe the speed limit is 50 or 55 mph. I have a choice of dropping it into 3rd or using the tow/haul. Going up the long grade from Panamint is it better to drop it into 3rd or use the tow/haul? It doesn't seem clear to me. Is 3rd the same as the 4R100 Drive with O/D off?Actually, here are the transmission gear ratios from another forum4r100 gear ratios:1st - 2.712nd - 1.543rd - 1.04th - .715r110 gear ratios:1st - 3.112nd - 2.23rd - 1.544th - 1.05th - .71So dropping my 5R110 down to 3rd actually would be the equivalent of dropping my old 4R100 down to 2nd. How could I drop it to 4th, nothing on shifter?

New E450 with tow/haul question | Good Sam Community

32 Replies

Sam_Spade
Explorer
Nov 15, 2015
Tow/Haul holds off the up-shift points a bit and is supposed to downshift a bit sooner.

I notice the difference going both ways......except for the drop out of 5th (OD ?). The transition is abrupt; I think it goes directly out of lockup AND drops to 3rd. At least that's the way it feels.......in either "mode".

I find this MADDENING since it invariably decides to downshift during about the last 10% of a gentle but long rolling hill if it is in cruise. I find I'm using cruise less and less.
Hank85713
Explorer
Nov 15, 2015
Depends on the grade and then who you want to believe. We have 12 winnebago aspect, normally dont use the tow haul even when towing the car. I also have a F350 with the 6.0 diesel and seldom use the tow haul. Noiw many will chime in and say use all the time so it will be your call. The T/H is fairly good for long down hills but you get the same by a simple downshift.

Really you need to play with it and see how it works and how you want it to work.

Biggest thing I found to improve the shift points etc is the mikes 5 star rv tuner. Should be going on christmas sale soon.

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New E450 with tow/haul question

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