Ford Questions

Carvin Marvin wrote:
Just acquired a 2014 31' Newmar. How do I remove the hub caps on 19.5 tires? How does the "Tow Mode" function. Haven't got the books. Thanks in advance for assistance.

As said, two or three nuts with have an indention, to indicate the ones for the wheel cover. Some unscrew and some just pull off.

2 of the "exposed lug nuts" 180* from each other should have a horizontal slash across the wrench lands. Those nuts need to be removed with the T wrench to remove the hub cap.

As for the "Tow/Haul" button (5 and 6 speed transmissions) it changes the shift points, but still allows the transmission to go into overdrive. The "OD" button on the 4 speed (4R100) does lock out overdrive.

An additional feature of the 5 and 6 speed transmissions is when the Tow/Haul mode is engaged it will also provide engine braking. To slow the vehicle when going down hill with Tow/Haul engaged depress the brake pedal for 1 second or longer. If the speed increases more than 3 mph the transmission will downshift to the next lower gear if is within ithe safe RPM range.

Cruise control will perform a similar function. If going down hill with the cruise engaged it will downshift to the next lower gear maintain the set speed if it's within the safe RPM range.

blownstang01 wrote:

mleekamp wrote:
jy is correct...but allow me to add to that. Tow/Haul not only changes the shift points of the transmission, allowing it to hold a gear longer for towing or hilly climbs, it also functions as a "transmission brake" when going downhill. jy mentions this as well.

I recommend going to Ford website and you can download a PDF of the chassis owners manual, which should be a must for a chassis you are not familiar with.

What he said ^^^^
Manual vvv

2014 F-53 Manual

Even the 2014 Ford books states keep tow hall mode off for fuel MPG this only shows how many read the ford book

ferndaleflyer wrote:
Don't know about hub caps but tow mode just keeps it out of over drive and decreases fuel mileage.

My 2008 books says this and my transmission will not lock up while in tow mode but shifts seem firmer.

Bruce Brown wrote:

ferndaleflyer wrote:
Don't know about hub caps but tow mode just keeps it out of over drive and decreases fuel mileage.

False

My 2008 will not go into overdrive while in tow mode and my Ford books states this also. Just maybe newer one do but my 08 will not ....

I don't know if you've been to Valdez AK but theres one big long hill to get down to the town. I put the Ford in Tow Haul at the top and never touched the brakes all the way down. T/H is amazing technology (to me) and I use it all the time (even in the east coast flatlands)

Usually the two or three Retainers are just push on pull off lug nut caps. I’ve never seen any that required a wrench.
Your 19.5 Wheels simulators are actually held to the steel rim by the exposed lug nuts. Mine had 10 Lug wheels!
It was a Deere Chassis with a Ford 460 Engine!

Carvin Marvin wrote:
Just acquired a 2014 31' Newmar. How do I remove the hub caps on 19.5 tires? Thanks in advance for assistance.

What ever you do, DO NOT pry on the stainless steel wheel covers. When you have loosened all the CORRECT hold down lugs, usually two, 180 degrees apart, the OEM factory wheel covers (usually made by Dicor) will come off without tools. The stainless steel lugs you see DO NOT HOLD THE WHEEL ON, only the wheel cover. They are just false decor. The real lug nuts (on a Ford, usually 8) that hold the wheel on are underneath the stainless steel caps. The wheel cover hold down nuts only need be snugged up when reinstalled. THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE TORQUED TO 150 FT-LBS. Make sure you index the wheel covers properly to the valve stem (see notched cutout on wheel cover) when reinstalling them or you won't be able to check/adjust tire air pressures on the road.

(I wish I knew the above the first time)

Chum lee

ferndaleflyer wrote:
Don't know about hub caps but tow mode just keeps it out of overdrive and decreases fuel mileage.

It depends on the exact model of transmission. Older (4 speed) transmission did exactly as described. Newer (5 and 6 speed) change when shifting occurs (typically earlier) and may inhibit OD in some cases.

The decrease in fuel economy is because you have more power at the rear wheels.

With my old E150, I left it in OD, but turned that off when approaching hills.

ferndaleflyer wrote:
Sorry Bruce Brown if I have misunderstood Ford and my transmission rebuilder about these transmissions in all these Fords I have owned over the past 40 years or so. Maybe I am just old and my memory is fading, but it worked like that this morning.

The 6.2 / Torqshift 6spd auto in my F350 does not “lock out” any gear in tow haul mode - it will use all gears up to 6 - unless you select manual mode or select the top gear available manually with the shift up/down button. It will not upshift above the gear you have selected until you select up the range. Tow Haul mode makes down grade downshifting more aggressive for engine braking also downshifts as you slow to a stop or make a sharp turn etc.