Tow Feature on Ford E450

Thanks for all the input. I think old biscuit has it right; try it, you may like it. Again, thanks to all for your inputs.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Go out for a drive....push the button and see how it drives.

I use tow/haul when ever I am towing or hauling anything

I use tow/haul even when I am not towing or hauling any thing

Go on push the button.......you know you want to. (And then you will know) :B

The use of Tow/haul is sort of a "depends" type situation.

On say a empty pickup truck what I have found is the shift strategy when going down hills is overly aggressive on the down shift, it isn't very smooth. For accelerating with no load the shift points are held out a lot longer than I like, tends to wind the engine up at a higher RPM than needed for no load effectively wasting fuel in the process.

Now in the OPs case with a 26ft MOTORHOME they are already very heavy to start with.. That is a "no brainer" for sure.. Use the Tow/Haul mode pretty much for anything other than totally flat land.. For going down any hills the OP will find out pretty quick that the Tow/Haul will make braking a lot better! OPs brakes with last one heck of a lot longer and it will reduce the risk of overheating the brakes on long steep grades.

Go out for a drive....push the button and see how it drives.

I use tow/haul when ever I am towing or hauling anything

I use tow/haul even when I am not towing or hauling any thing

Go on push the button.......you know you want to. (And then you will know) :B

Tow haul mode, changes the shift strategy, and raises the line pressure, to reduce the chance of slippage, causing heat build up. It is recomended always when towing or hauling.

Unlike the old days, when the tranny's had OD, the old version simply turned off the OD. The new design, doesnt have the OD but another gear, and The tow haul mode switch, will change the perameters of the shift requirements. Holding gears longer, downshifting earlier, not unlocking the converter, on decents, down long hills reducing brake fade.

I would also add Ford doesnt put an exact weight, on when it is advised to be used, because then there are variables. This way, if you are towing or hauling, use it. Keeping it simple

I drive a motorhome so in my opinion I am alway carrying a load and I use the tow/haul all of the time.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Keeps the transmission out of top gear. Unless I lived someplace where a horizontal discharge of a 155 mm howitzer could travel 25 miles, I would eliminate top gear while towing. You can prove this to yourself with a transmission temperature gauge if you wish. Newer transmissions have gotten crazy expensive to rebuild.

Sorry Mex, but that is an incorrect "answer"..

Contrary to popular belief, Fords Tow/Haul mode does not lockout ANY "gears", especially with that transmission.

Tow/Haul alters the transmissions upshift and even downshift points and habits (IE shifting strategy)..

Additionally it engages automatic DOWNSHIFTING which is pretty darn cool, you do not even have to touch the brake to initiate a downshift.

If you do feel the need to downshift you can tap the brake pedal and the transmission will automatically downshift to the next lower gear (provided it is safe for the transmission to do so).

Tow/Haul is designed especially to be used anytime you are towing or hauling heavy loads. Gets rid of the need to manually move the transmission lever to downshift when going down hills..

An extremely nice feature, use it and you will be glad you have it.

rockhillmanor wrote:
I never use it towing the toad. Although I do not RV west of the Mississippi!.

I've used it a couple of times when climbing steeper grades when the trans starts searching for gears. Short answer is it takes it out of OD.

And BTW if that tow light comes on without you engaging it?

Common problem with that coach is a loose wire in steering wheel or torque converter shot. Hope for the loose wire. Mine was not.:(

If you are towing and not using Tow Haul mode you are subjecting your trans to excess heat... and not in a good way. Get a trans fluid temp gauge and you will quickly discover the difference.

:C

I never use it towing the toad. Although I do not RV west of the Mississippi!.

I've used it a couple of times when climbing steeper grades when the trans starts searching for gears. Short answer is it takes it out of OD.

And BTW if that tow light comes on without you engaging it?

Common problem with that coach is a loose wire in steering wheel or torque converter shot. Hope for the loose wire. Mine was not.:(

Keeps the transmission out of top gear. Unless I lived someplace where a horizontal discharge of a 155 mm howitzer could travel 25 miles, I would eliminate top gear while towing. You can prove this to yourself with a transmission temperature gauge if you wish. Newer transmissions have gotten crazy expensive to rebuild.