How much is to much for no tow/haul mode?

Oddly enough, I hardly ever use Tow/Haul. I don't like the way the truck drives with it engaged. It takes it forever to shift into higher gears when I want it to and stays in the lower gears too much, presumably for engine braking.

Also, when coasting downhill, if I want to tap the brakes to slow a little, the transmission will downshift, which I don't want. It is much easier to just turn the darned thing off. With select shift, Tow/Haul seems obsolete.

Gman

I do not have a high horse power high torque modern engine and if I did I would do as I do now with my current unit at 19,500# combined. I drop it in drive and go. I don't touch the button much. I have not torn up my trans yet in 186K.

Haha 4 pages of debate later like every thread on here.......
Short answer, use it whenever you want loaded or empty, won't matter to the truck or fuel mileage to any extent.
When towing it it better as it keeps the shift points and TC lock dialed in tighter.

Towing the rig in my sig. At 65 mph RPM are almost identical in Tow mode or regular. I use tow all the time with the TT because I like the lock up of the trans and it aids in slowing because it makes the auto trans behave more like a manual when you let off the throttle. It doesn't free wheel coast like an automatic. It will stay engaged and let the engine slow you. Now I know your newer Ram probably has the factory exhaust brake so this is less of a concern but also the Tow mode engages different programs in the computer such that extra cooling is taking place in the trans by routing fluid in a slightly different way. Basically you are telling the truck that it should be prepared for more work. The engine doesn't necessarily care, it is more to let the truck protect the trans.

TH and EB brake on almost all the time, loaded or unloaded. No lengthy justification for using it while unloaded, I just like hearing the EB work. :D

Guess am lucky that at +67...that my knees will still allow me to deal with a
manual/clutch...though my orthopedist says no more volleyball (3 tournament teams
and one made nationals), windsurfing, rollerbalding, snow skiing....and only allows
me to cycle. Do clip in, but he says shouldn't...but gotta enjoy some level of
competition...only the last five years or so after hurting my knees playing
volleyball...still can play, but that one time injury...

Anyway, I don't tow into heavy city traffic...if can help it, but if do, okay
with that.

All of the computer controlled stuff (one background is in computing...another
in automation/system controls/robotics, process control...etc) is more than I
will take.

Constant discussions on aux coolers, 'watch your ATF temp', 'what is a good
running to max temp for my ATF', etc, etc is NOT a concern or major concern for
a manual

But, also know I'm in the VAST MINORITY vs the masses (herd), so settled for
the automatic in my Sub when ordering it. As did settle for the 'package' that
forced on me...the dash push button 4x4 controls...

BenK wrote:
Only one of the reasons I'd much prefer to have a manual over an automatic in
my trucks and TVs...but the masses drove the OEMs to stop offering manuals...

I hear your pain. Recently upgraded from my 2001 5.9 RAM diesel 5 seed manual tranny to a 2014 6.7 RAM 5500 with Aisin 6 speed automatic. Impossible to find a stick shift anymore. This new truck has both exhaust brake and tow haul option. I had installed pacbrake exhaust brake in my 2001 and with a manual tranny the exhaust brake seemed much more effective as compared with the 2014, however when I combine BOTH the exhaust brake and tow haul on this automatic they are pretty sweet and work together very well. In my previous trucks I had never had an automatic transmission to hold up (back in the late 70's and 80's) so I've got my fingers crossed this one holds up. I think the manufacturers have made improvements to the automatics to make them more durable but it is crazy we have a population that can't drive a stick shift. I could put my ole 01 in granny 4x4 and jump out and throw out hay to the cows. In Europe automatics are still the minority.

BenK wrote:
Only one of the reasons I'd much prefer to have a manual over an automatic in
my trucks and TVs...but the masses drove the OEMs to stop offering manuals...

Ruin your knee standing on the clutch in 3-1/2 hours of stop and go traffic, and then tell me how much you like manual transmissions.

And no, I couldn't pop it in neutral and take my foot off the pedal for a rest. We were moving one or two car lengths every 15-20 seconds. If you didn't move up right away, people from the adjacent lane would start flowing into the opening, and you'd NEVER move.

Only one of the reasons I'd much prefer to have a manual over an automatic in
my trucks and TVs...but the masses drove the OEMs to stop offering manuals...

My Ford's 5R110 felt like it had nine gears when driving it. Until I had my ScanGauge on it reporting gear selection, I wasn't sure whether I was in the lower gear or still in the same gear with the torque converter unlocked. The actual gear indication allowed me drive the truck under load with the TC locked. I still used tow/haul mode because it gave me the benefit of a locked TC while decelerating and and enabled exhaust braking, but my ScanGauge was a big help in letting me know what the transmission was doing based on my driving.