Tow Haul button on Ford F-53 chassis

We also use the tow/haul for braking and agree with what others have posted. Save alot on brakes.

I have a 2008 Monaco Monarch with the ford chassis and tow/haul mode in the tranny. I just returned from a trip to the CA coast which requires navigating some windy roads. Someone mentioned keeping the trans in tow/haul at all times. I think that is bad advice. But I use it a lot. As I approach windy roads where I need to slow down, I back off the accelerator and hit the tow/haul button. As I need to slow down further, I tap my brake pedal and it will down shift the tranny as needed to the desired speed. If I need to come to a stop and am staying on the brake pedal, the tranny will downshift further to help me stop. I have also found that if is helpful in stop n go traffic to use it to save my brakes. I have used this mode in the sierras on some significant downgrades (8%) as well. It is a great tool. I read on one of the forums someone posted that they are able to never touch their brakes when using this mode. I think that is baloney. The mode actually uses the brake system to computer your downshifting, so braking is an important part of the system, it just allows you to not "ride" your brake when going downhill.

I was taught to drive by an old Logger back in the 60s,he taught me to go down the hill the same speed you go up,and you should have no need to use your brakes that much. So when I drive I keep the tow haul on all the time,and the tow haul does keep me at a good speed,safe speed.

Was talking with a Ford Customer Service Tech In regards to our 2016 coach on the F-53 chassis, he recommends Tow/Haul use at all times.

I had it on my 2011 Fleetwood Storm and loved it. I hardly used any braking on steep grades. Worked exceptionally well.

You'd have to figure out your own conclusions and hearing that you have wrecker with the same set up, you are well qualified.
I do have such button on my F350 and I don't like how it operates even with my 15,000 lb camper combo.
It will not downshift when truck speeds up till you push the brake and then with brakes already slowing you have abrupt downshifting - very uncomfortable.
I use it on long grades, but avoid for just short braking.
Then there is old schools saying that wearing brake pads is way cheaper than wearing out transmission converter.

We have the 22K F53 chassis. We have tow-haul mode and use it a lot. It is very helpful going down grades (and up for that matter). Of course, we have spent the last five months mostly in the mountains. On really steep grades (8-12%) we still have to brake but not nearly as much as if we didn't have it. It does a decent job of keeping speed under control.

It does help a lot. Brake hard when you are close to red line then let up. Tow Haul will hold you back. However. On very steep grades near Butte, MT and near MT/ID state line I still have to pull down into second or first gear to really hold it back.

It changes the transmission shift pattern to help with pulling and hauling in hilly or mountainous areas but it does help with the braking also....

It changes from the economy mode to power mode.

Road Runners wrote:
I have tow/haul on my F-250 PSD. I like it a lot. It will cut down on your use of the brakes. It operates the transmission so that it automatically gears down and provides braking. This, however, will cause the engine RPM to rise and if your not careful on a long steep incline your RPM can go over redline. In this instance you have to brake to help out.

I use it on my F550 wrecker as well when I have a load, but on the RV chassis its always loaded. So I was looking for some owners to weigh in.

KC