Tow/haul mode

ctilsie242 wrote:
I use it for traffic in town, because on newer Ford transmissions, it locks the torque converter.

That brings up a subtle point. Since it locks the torque converter ... which means eliminating slippage - wouldn't gas mileage be improved?

If so, running in Tow/Haul all the time mode might raise mileage a bit on trips.

I use it for traffic in town, because on newer Ford transmissions, it locks the torque converter. This allows engine braking to happen as soon as I let off the accelerator, which is useful for slowing down without needing to pedal tap dance.

Same here, works great on the highway in rush hour with stop and go traffic

I use it for traffic in town, because on newer Ford transmissions, it locks the torque converter. This allows engine braking to happen as soon as I let off the accelerator, which is useful for slowing down without needing to pedal tap dance.

Well it was right where you said it would be. Weight as it left the factory is 12,621lbs

So 14,050 minus 12,621 = 1,429

It has a 39 gallon fresh water tank but we rarely run with that more than 1/4 full so 10 gals of water = 80 lbs and the bike. I should have about 800 lbs before I hit GVWR, oh and I replaced that 100 lbs crt television with a flat screen, so I shaved off at least 90 pound right there

The Tow/Haul I'm familiar with allows the Five-Speed TorqShift to use all its gearing, including Top/Overdrive. Ford's since gone to a Six Speed with "Double Overdrive." From what I've read, they had to go UP (to a higher number) in axle ratio to take advantage of it. That might mean the new T/H feature keeps the Six-Speed out of Sixth. I simply don't know enough to comment.

I CAN say, the "OD OFF" feature is what 4R100 (came out with the V10 and was replaced with TorqShift around 2005) and the prior E4OD (1992-96 with 7.5L/460) used. In those, OD Off rendered it a three-speed, non-overdrive, function.

suprz is right. A Class C ***IS*** hauling, all the time. Our GVWR is 14050 like his, shipped new at around 11300, and we go camping at around 13800. That's hauling.

@suprz, You should have a label inside, probably inside a cabinet door, saying what your 31SS weighed at, leaving the factory. Ours is under the kitchen sink, but it seems they can be pretty much anywhere. That'll tell you what you can carry: 14050 minus that as-built weight. I'd like to know what that number is, for a 31SS

j-d wrote:
3x - A MoHo is Towing/Hauling ALL the time! Just by moving its high, wide, long, heavy self along the road.

My coach paperwork states it is 14,050 pounds. But I don't know what that number means to the vehicle as far as towing/ hauling capacity. I mean 7 tons isn't a Light load. Especially when you have a drag coefficient of a brick

Tow/Haul sounds like something I would like to have. My motorhome simply has a "overdrive on/off" button. I guess tow/haul is the next step up from that.

Our motorhome is a 2005 24 foot Itasca Class C weighing in at only around 11,800 lbs., but built on the heavier E450 Ford chassis instead of the usual E350.

This means that we're under-loading the chassis when compared to it's maximum rating. However, even at that I consider that the chassis is actually "hauling" all the time. As such, we travel in our Class C with Tow/Haul mode always engaged.

Even with Tow/Haul mode engaged, when cruising on the highway the transmission goes to, and stays in, overdrive just fine on the level stretches. I also really like the more spirited response I get when driving in cities and towns with Tow/Haul mode engaged - faster pulling away from the lights, more positive stops, and in general just a better "in control" feeling.

I tried tow/haul and could see no advantage. It did delay the shift points but with the engine under load it seems to shift appropriately without needing t/h. T/H had another effect I did not like. It prevents the transmission from shifting to 6th gear. At highway speed, in T/H the engine revs remained higher than necessary. My engine pulls a heavy load just fine in 6th gear.

3x - A MoHo is Towing/Hauling ALL the time! Just by moving its high, wide, long, heavy self along the road.