TV here is a 2013 Expedition with the 5.4 and six speed auto transmission.We pulled our flatbed 1600 miles with total weight of 3500 pounds. DW did the vast majority of the driving and complained that she was RPMs climb well over 4000 on upgrades. I was pulling the TT going out but did some driving on the return. That engine rose to nearly 5k a few times. It didn't seem to matter whether it was in tow haul or not on the upgrades, I thought it was dropping one or two gears too low. Any comments on that?Also, the TH mode was helpful on downgrades, but is there any reason to leave it in that mode all the time?

Your experience sounds similar to mine. I actually usually avoid tow-haul mode going down grades for this very reason. I also leave it off if the road is level and flat.If I am in a situation where I am going up/down lots of small grades I often leave it engaged the entire time.

The Triton engine makes its power in the upper RPM range. Nothin wrong with letting it sing, you're just used to a diesel. My V10 doesn't even have a red line. I like tow haul on the downgrades because it helps with braking by using the transmission.

I leave it on all the time when I'm pulling. Its supposed to reduce the number of shifts by holding it in a gear longer and prevent hunting. On a diesel it also activates the compression brake on the engine, not in your case tho.It also changes the shift pattern going downhill, holding the truck in lower gear so you won't burn up your brakes. BK

n7bsn wrote:Your experience sounds similar to mine. I actually usually avoid tow-haul mode going down grades for this very reason. I also leave it off if the road is level and flat.If I am in a situation where I am going up/down lots of small grades I often leave it engaged the entire time.Why in the world would you avoid TH on downgrades? That is the best feature on my V-10 5 speed tranny. I can cruise down a ten + mile 6-8% grade and not only never touch the brake pedal and I am burnng Zero, Zip, Nada gas!Uphill it changes the shift points to more eficent moments, that towhaul is smarter than you or me and you should use it often.

That 5.4 is going to rev, a lot. Tow haul will be your friend, with better shift strategy for towing. Less shifting, allowing higher rpm for more power and of course utilizing engine braking for slowing down. Can't imagine why you wouldn't use it.And yes, I use it with my 6.7 Ford diesel. Really does make a difference even though I'm more than 6ooo#s under the towing limit.

Any Experience with Ford Tow Haul Feature | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

camperfamily
Explorer
Sep 25, 2013
That 5.4 is going to rev, a lot. Tow haul will be your friend, with better shift strategy for towing. Less shifting, allowing higher rpm for more power and of course utilizing engine braking for slowing down. Can't imagine why you wouldn't use it.

And yes, I use it with my 6.7 Ford diesel. Really does make a difference even though I'm more than 6ooo#s under the towing limit.
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Sep 25, 2013
n7bsn wrote:
Your experience sounds similar to mine. I actually usually avoid tow-haul mode going down grades for this very reason. I also leave it off if the road is level and flat.

If I am in a situation where I am going up/down lots of small grades I often leave it engaged the entire time.

Why in the world would you avoid TH on downgrades? That is the best feature on my V-10 5 speed tranny. I can cruise down a ten + mile 6-8% grade and not only never touch the brake pedal and I am burnng Zero, Zip, Nada gas!

Uphill it changes the shift points to more eficent moments, that towhaul is smarter than you or me and you should use it often.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Sep 25, 2013
I leave it on all the time when I'm pulling. Its supposed to reduce the number of shifts by holding it in a gear longer and prevent hunting. On a diesel it also activates the compression brake on the engine, not in your case tho.

It also changes the shift pattern going downhill, holding the truck in lower gear so you won't burn up your brakes.

BK
mudfuel07
Explorer
Sep 25, 2013
The Triton engine makes its power in the upper RPM range. Nothin wrong with letting it sing, you're just used to a diesel. My V10 doesn't even have a red line. I like tow haul on the downgrades because it helps with braking by using the transmission.
n7bsn
Explorer
Sep 25, 2013
Your experience sounds similar to mine. I actually usually avoid tow-haul mode going down grades for this very reason. I also leave it off if the road is level and flat.

If I am in a situation where I am going up/down lots of small grades I often leave it engaged the entire time.

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Any Experience with Ford Tow Haul Feature

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