We traded the '05 Tahoe in on a new 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD crew cab with the Durmax diesel, Allison transmission, and HD tow package. We tow a Surveyor Sport 220 that weighs in about 4,400# dry with about 2,300# cargo capacity (which we never approach). For those of you with similar GMC/Chevy trucks, in what load/grade combinations do you or do you not use the Tow-Haul mode? Do you wait until the motor is working harder or just use it all the time when towing. I realize our travel trailer is nowhere near the limit for the truck, but want to strike a balance between economy and vehicle life...

I think the manual says to use tow/haul when towing 6000 lbs or more.

I put mine in TH when I'm sitting in my driveway getting ready to take off and leave it in till I unhook.

Start enginePut it in tow/haulPut it in DGo

Your new vehicle came with an owner's manual that fully explains all of the vehicle's features and when and how to use them. You would be very wise to read and understand that manual.

Love the tow /haul Allison .I do shift to 3rd and sometimes 2nd manually for compression braking .just use the lever on the steering column .17.5 to 1 compression works !

Duramax, Allison, Tow-Haul mode advice | Good Sam Community

Second_Chance
Explorer II
Oct 28, 2013
Thanks, everyone - very helpful. It seems the majority consensus is to default to T/H mode whenever towing.
jalichty
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
I would recommend you use the T/H mode all the time you tow and, as well, simply push the button for the engine braking system to operate. The engine braking system will help a lot when going down mountain passes, or really steep hills, and will allow you to not use the brakes as much. We have a 2012 GMC 2500HD D/A combo and the T/H and engine brake system work great when we are pulling our FW and boat, with a total combined weight of around 12,000.
jevanb
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
sayoung wrote:
salem wrote:
I put mine in TH when I'm sitting in my driveway getting ready to take off and leave it in till I unhook.

Same here on my 12 but I am towing close to 14k.
Exhaust brake only works when in tow/haul.
same here but I am sitting at 20k combined while towing, and yes I do have a exhaust brake via..EFI live
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
nevadanick wrote:
I pull quite a bit more than that and only use tow haul when i get in mountains.

x2. And even then I find it annoying in the mountains sometimes. I will tap the brakes and it will down shift and then I add fuel and it will upshift and then I will tap my brakes and it will downshift............I also get slightly better fuel mileage with it off.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
I feel it slows down too fast when solo driving but in mountains it is a dandy thing to have.
chevman
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 28, 2013
Didn't know you can't use it when not towing or not towing heavy

It's just a option button......just like manually shifting or not using OD.

Push the button .....you'll like it :B
kaydeejay
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
bgum wrote:
Start engine
Put it in tow/haul
Put it in D
Go

X2. I'm looking for a downside to using T/H.
Other than raising shift points I can't think of one.
OTOH, higher shifts and more converter lockups = less wasted energy, ie less heat in the torque converter. I think this is a GOOD thing.

In fact I often use T/H without the trailer, just to enjoy the downshift/engine braking feature. I can usually get down to a crawl before I have to press the brake pedal to come to a complete stop.
stickdog
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
The great thing about any of the T/H transmissions is that with them you get downhill speed control if used properly, makes mountain driving relaxing.
caseyhoward
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
I use mine about 90% of the time... I love it on steep hills and in traffic winding roads or on the interstate ... Try it you'll like it...
sayoung
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
salem wrote:
I put mine in TH when I'm sitting in my driveway getting ready to take off and leave it in till I unhook.

Same here on my 12 but I am towing close to 14k.
Exhaust brake only works when in tow/haul.

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Duramax, Allison, Tow-Haul mode advice

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