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joelyn's avatar
joelyn
Explorer
Feb 29, 2016

2012 RAM 1500 W/ TOW HAUL?

NOT SURE IF THIS IS WHERE TO ASK, if wrong mod can u move it.

have a 2012 ram 5.7 w/ tow haul mode. is this used only when climbing a mt. or steep grade while towing a 22ft travel trailer? or are there other times it can be used?
thanks

20 Replies

  • camp-n-family wrote:
    The electronic selector on the gear shift will regulate the top gear you choose. For example, if you select it to 3, the transmission will shift regularly to 3rd gear and then stay there. It will no longer shift beyond that gear.

    You would use this feature when towing if the tranny is hunting gears, say in the mountains, and you want it to hold a certain gear for better power.



    THATS THE BEST DESCRIPTION THAT I HAVE HEARD YET.
    ty
  • The electronic selector on the gear shift will regulate the top gear you choose. For example, if you select it to 3, the transmission will shift regularly to 3rd gear and then stay there. It will no longer shift beyond that gear.

    You would use this feature when towing if the tranny is hunting gears, say in the mountains, and you want it to hold a certain gear for better power.
  • IDoMyOwnStunts wrote:
    When in doubt, use it. I don't for my utility trailer, but I figure anything with brakes should be run with tow/haul on.


    yes i like how it works, never new what it did. we are towing the TT tomorrow for a short week away and will try it.
    great
  • GordonThree wrote:
    joelyn wrote:
    great answers, just what i wanted to know.

    i have some kind of shifter thing on my shift selector with a +2 3 etc and minus 1 2 3 but have no clue what that is. but just wondering about the tow haul.

    thanks for the advise and help


    and thanks mod


    RAM calls this electronic range select. Use it to make suggestions to the transmission computer about what gear range to use. I say suggestion because it's not a mechanical linkage, the transmission will still select the best gear for the job but will try to meet your request as well.




    interesting, but not totally sure how it works. the tow haul sounds a lot simpler but thanks for the explanation
  • When in doubt, use it. I don't for my utility trailer, but I figure anything with brakes should be run with tow/haul on.
  • joelyn wrote:
    great answers, just what i wanted to know.

    i have some kind of shifter thing on my shift selector with a +2 3 etc and minus 1 2 3 but have no clue what that is. but just wondering about the tow haul.

    thanks for the advise and help


    and thanks mod


    RAM calls this electronic range select. Use it to make suggestions to the transmission computer about what gear range to use. I say suggestion because it's not a mechanical linkage, the transmission will still select the best gear for the job but will try to meet your request as well.
  • great answers, just what i wanted to know.

    i have some kind of shifter thing on my shift selector with a +2 3 etc and minus 1 2 3 but have no clue what that is. but just wondering about the tow haul.

    thanks for the advise and help


    and thanks mod
  • Use it when you are towing or hauling, it is that easy. The owners manual will give you more details.

    Others will suggest "locking out" higher gears manually downshifting, that is fine too, but I bought an automatic for the purpose of having the computer handling the shifting.
  • You should be using it all the time when towing a trailer that size. It changes the computer programming for better tow performance. For example, it changes the shift points to hold gears longer and reduce hunting, as well as locking out overdrive. It will run in 5th instead of 6th, at a higher rpm, which will reduce strain on the tranny resulting in lower temps as well as better power and mpg.