Tow/Haul Feature

[Bednarski1]

I have a 2014 E450 Sunseeker and I have some questions regarding the tow/haul feature. I kn ow it works like it's supposed to going up and down long grades but can I use it while in the cruise control mode.

[RVWithTito]

I use it most of the time...towing or not towing. You can leave it on or use it on-demand.

When I want some help slowing down, I just push the button and give the brakes a little tap. It will kick in and downshift accordingly. It is VERY useful on steep downgrades coming out of the mountains and eliminates the white knuckle effect.

Using it while cruise control is enabled is fine.

[Rolin]

For the larger motorhomes it may be best to leave tow haul on all the time. For us, with a 26ft E450 B+, it seems like the tow haul reduces gas mileage because it shifts down more aggressively and stays in the lower gear longer. I try to keep ours in overdrive as much as possible and only use tow haul as needed.

Tow haul does seem to give better performance because it keeps the rpms in the power zone more of the time.

I have no idea of any impact that the use or non-use of tow haul has on engine or transmission longevity. I assume it makes no difference.

Just one persons un-educated opinion.

[Capt_Storm]

I use it just about all the time.

[pnichols]

This is just speculation on my part, but ... leaving an E350/E450 in the tow-haul mode just might provide slightly better RV gas mileage.

This would result from the transmission's torque converter slipping less under acceleration conditions. Torque converter slippage actually wastes energy ... from the gas that you buy.

[mgirardo]

I generally don't use it up and down I-95 here on the east coast, but if I head west and it gets hilly, I do use it. Just set it and forget it.

derh2o wrote:
A thought about cruise control. keep in mind that if a medical emergency should happen, the RV would just keep going at the speed it was set. it would be much more difficult for a co-pilot to control and bring to a safe stop. i never use cruise control,even in my car with or without a co-pilot.

On my 2008 model year E450, there's a cancel button on the right side of the steering wheel, much easier for my wife to hit that then try to get to the brake pedal with me in the driver's seat. Our 1999 Ford Taurus and 2000 Nissan Xterra also have cancel buttons right on the steering wheel.

-Michael

[Bobbo]

My MH weighs so much, even when not towing, that I use Tow/Haul whenever I am driving it.

[derh2o]

since these RVs are on a van chassis, due to the weight, i am thinking i am hauling all the time. So i leave it on all the time when i am not on a freeway. Of course i do turn it on when going up or down hills. A thought about cruise control. keep in mind that if a medical emergency should happen, the RV would just keep going at the speed it was set. it would be much more difficult for a co-pilot to control and bring to a safe stop. i never use cruise control,even in my car with or without a co-pilot.

[tpi]

On my 24' I generally do not use tow haul mode unless I need engine braking on downhills-or to hold a gear on uphills. I use as needed. On mine it is also overly aggressive for standard driving conditions with lots of excess engine racing.

[triple602]

While I've heard these V-10's like to rev, my TH seems very aggressive with lots of downshifts resulting in high RPM's.

[jeeperdude10]

j6...prolly the better way of doing it. Put it there and leave it. I will have to try that. Thanks

[jules6]

I have a BT Cruiser on an E450 and I use it with the tow/haul on all the time since it is always loaded close to the max.

[jeeperdude10]

What is best-leave in tow haul ALL the time, or to click into it when hitting a hill or coming down from one? I try to leave in D the whole time, but when I feel a down shift for the hill, I hit tow haul....then click out when not needed any more. Am I doing damage to the tranny????

[rvten]

It will hold a lower gear longer when.

[carringb]

oldkeywest91 wrote:
Yes,all it does is change the shift points in the trans.

And enables automatic grade braking (i.e. auto downshifting).

I have found it can sometimes be too aggressive when cruising in the flats (it downshifts when it really doesn't need to) but its great up and down hills.