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falconbrother's avatar
falconbrother
Explorer II
Apr 14, 2017

GM Tow haul use - opinions

We picked up our travel trailer today at CW. They set up the weight distributing hitch for us and gave us a lot of instructions on how the accoutrements in the camper work. One thing the guy said that I need some opinions on though..

The TV is a 1500 Suburban 4x4 and the trailer dry weight is about 5500 pounds. I asked him about using the tow haul feature and he said he wasn't sure that he would recommend it. He said out on the open interstate he would recommend leaving it off and never, ever use it with the cruise control on. He said: "It will rip your transmission out". I haven't used it very much at all. The Suburban pulls the trailer just fine either way.

What's your experience with using tow haul while actually towing a trailer?
Tow Vehicles
  • DownTheAvenue's avatar
    DownTheAvenue
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2017
    I am quite satisfied the engineers who designed and built your vehicle know a lot more than some hourly employee at Camping World. Those engineers called it "tow/haul" for a reason. I am also quite sure the engineers did not design a feature that if used would "rip your transmission out."

    Read your owner's manual and do what it says, not what the dufus at Camping World says.
  • ktmrfs's avatar
    ktmrfs
    Explorer II
    Apr 14, 2017
    use tow haul. it changes shift points to help get moving or accererating, and depending on the transmission will lock up the torque converter in gears other than top gear. In the case of my duramax's, it locks up the torque converter in 2nd through 6th., that helps reduce transmission temperatures by reducing slip, and helps with engine braking by better engine to transmission coupling.

    Oh.... also read your owners manual. it will give very useful information on when to use tow haul.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2017
    All tow mode does, in very simple terms, is cause the transmission to shift at a higher RPM than normal. Use tow mode whenever the camper is attached, flat land towing, city, or rugged mountains.

    I turn on cruise control, tow mode, and exhaust brake, all 3 and never touch the peddles unless I have to slow down or come to an exit.

    Use tow mode whenever you have your trailer attached.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Apr 14, 2017
    Tow/haul won't rip anything out. The guy is not knowledgable. I use mine when going up or down while towing.
  • Artum_Snowbird's avatar
    Artum_Snowbird
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2017
    In every mountain pass you will not find ripped out transmission with the lever stuck in tow haul,

    however, at almost every dealer you will find loose lipped salespeople with no idea what they are talking about.

    Not sure what others find, but I do find that I can keep my rig in high gear with my foot on the fuel pedal allowing a little more up and down leeway in RPM and speed better than the cruise control can. I wish there was three levels of cruise one could select, perfect speed, some leeway, or maximum leeway in slowing before shifting, and speeding before braking.
  • The_real_wild1's avatar
    The_real_wild1
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2017
    I am pretty sure they call it tow/haul mode for a reason. It isn't just a random button in your vehicle
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2017
    Another dealer that has never towed anything or camped a day in his life.

    When towing, use tow haul. Without going into details it will allow your transmission to run somewhat cooler.
    Enjoy your new trailer.
  • austingta's avatar
    austingta
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2017
    Use tow/haul anytime you want to. I would recommend it when towing over about half max load. My DMax/Allison gives the most responsive grade braking when using tow/haul and the cruise control.

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