cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Tow haul mode

sssooo
Explorer
Explorer
What is the tow haul used for?
19 REPLIES 19

Racklefratz
Explorer II
Explorer II
valhalla360 wrote:
But back to the point, Gas Class A's typically have a tow/haul mode unless they are quite old.

Noted. And, regardless of the obfuscation throughout this "discussion", the answer lies in the tried and true "RTFM".

Do that, and you won't have to resort to some internet "discussion" full of opinions that may or may not agree with what the manufacturer wanted you to know about your vehicle, notwithstanding all the opinions on the internet.
2012 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QGP (All Electric)

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
antman78 wrote:
The MH T/H setting controls the fuel injection timing. When the setting is set to "n", the fuel injection timing is optimized for normal driving conditions. This means that the engine will get better fuel economy and performance when it is not hauling a load. So, unless you are hauling a load, it is best to keep the MH T/H setting set to "n" for the best performance and fuel efficiency.


I’d say that’s almost wholly incorrect. On any light/med duty gas/diesel I’ve been around.
T/H in my experience, or any other “modes”, like sport or whatever, only alters the transmission programming/shift points and maybe exh brake application like on the 3.0 Duramax trucks.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
antman78 wrote:
The MH T/H setting controls the fuel injection timing. When the setting is set to "n", the fuel injection timing is optimized for normal driving conditions. This means that the engine will get better fuel economy and performance when it is not hauling a load. So, unless you are hauling a load, it is best to keep the MH T/H setting set to "n" for the best performance and fuel efficiency.


Better when not heavily loaded. Unless you have a way to undock the house part of the motor home from the chassis it's always heavily loaded.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

antman78
Explorer
Explorer
The MH T/H setting controls the fuel injection timing. When the setting is set to "n", the fuel injection timing is optimized for normal driving conditions. This means that the engine will get better fuel economy and performance when it is not hauling a load. So, unless you are hauling a load, it is best to keep the MH T/H setting set to "n" for the best performance and fuel efficiency.
aviator-fun Aviator review

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
In a MH T/H should always be n whenever you start the engine. Reason being that the MH is always hauling because it’s loaded from the factory.
Provides all around better performance and fuel efficiency.
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

way2roll
Navigator
Navigator
valhalla360 wrote:
Racklefratz wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:
While technically diesel pushers are Class A, they really belong in a different category as it's a whole different animal.

That's an interesting take, but the reality is that there IS no "different category" for diesel pushers - the Class A category isn't limited to gassers in any definition I've ever seen.

I'll agree that diesels are a "whole different animal", but only to the extent that's the reason why a lot of RV owners choose to own them, myself being one.

A cursory Google search for terminology returned the following from LazyDays.com (many others are similar):

"Defining RV Types

Class A diesel motorhome: Also known as diesel pushers or pullers, Class A diesel RVs are motorhomes that are self-contained. There is no vehicle needed to pull a Class A diesel RV. These RVs are large and run on diesel fuel, often including a rear-engine, multiple slide outs, onboard generators, luxury amenities, and spacious designs.

Class A gas motorhome: These RVs are large self-contained gas-powered motorhomes that include features such as slide outs, appliances, and residential-style amenities. They often include exterior features, built-in generators, and luxury elements."

So within the Class A definition, the only differentiating element is the power plant. But both are "Class A" RVs. If a "Tow/Haul" option is limited to gassers, that's interesting, but not relevant to the issue of what constitutes a "Class A" motorhome.


I said, technically they are both Class A, so not clear what you are arguing.

But if you look at the drivetrain, frame and overall construction, DPs are a totally different animal. Gas Class A's have move in common with Class C than they do DPs.

But back to the point, Gas Class A's typically have a tow/haul mode unless they are quite old.


To simplify; DP's and Gassers are different in terms of the question of the tow/haul mode. DP's have an engine brake but the tow/haul which mode is more about the transmissions is specific to gassers.

Jeff - 2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
Racklefratz wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:
While technically diesel pushers are Class A, they really belong in a different category as it's a whole different animal.

That's an interesting take, but the reality is that there IS no "different category" for diesel pushers - the Class A category isn't limited to gassers in any definition I've ever seen.

I'll agree that diesels are a "whole different animal", but only to the extent that's the reason why a lot of RV owners choose to own them, myself being one.

A cursory Google search for terminology returned the following from LazyDays.com (many others are similar):

"Defining RV Types

Class A diesel motorhome: Also known as diesel pushers or pullers, Class A diesel RVs are motorhomes that are self-contained. There is no vehicle needed to pull a Class A diesel RV. These RVs are large and run on diesel fuel, often including a rear-engine, multiple slide outs, onboard generators, luxury amenities, and spacious designs.

Class A gas motorhome: These RVs are large self-contained gas-powered motorhomes that include features such as slide outs, appliances, and residential-style amenities. They often include exterior features, built-in generators, and luxury elements."

So within the Class A definition, the only differentiating element is the power plant. But both are "Class A" RVs. If a "Tow/Haul" option is limited to gassers, that's interesting, but not relevant to the issue of what constitutes a "Class A" motorhome.


I said, technically they are both Class A, so not clear what you are arguing.

But if you look at the drivetrain, frame and overall construction, DPs are a totally different animal. Gas Class A's have move in common with Class C than they do DPs.

But back to the point, Gas Class A's typically have a tow/haul mode unless they are quite old.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Moderator
Racklefratz wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:
They function pretty much the same. The only difference is with a motor home, you will pretty much always want it on, as you are always driving a big heavy brick.


I haven't been following developments WRT newer Class As, but I wasn't aware any offered a "Tow/Haul" option. None of ours ever did, including our current diesel pusher.

As I posted earlier, my '15 F-150 has it, and the owner's manual discusses the relevant functions of the Tow/Haul operation in detail.

If it's a gas chassis chances are it will have a tow/haul button. Our last gas MH, a 2000 Dutch Star gasser had tow/haul.

In a MH application it does seem "transmission brake" might be a better name for it but it's still called tow/haul.

As far as always using it, I can't say I ever used ours much back in the day. Heck I don't use it often in my trucks either, and my Super Duty does a lot of towing and hauling.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910

Racklefratz
Explorer II
Explorer II
valhalla360 wrote:
While technically diesel pushers are Class A, they really belong in a different category as it's a whole different animal.

That's an interesting take, but the reality is that there IS no "different category" for diesel pushers - the Class A category isn't limited to gassers in any definition I've ever seen.

I'll agree that diesels are a "whole different animal", but only to the extent that's the reason why a lot of RV owners choose to own them, myself being one.

A cursory Google search for terminology returned the following from LazyDays.com (many others are similar):

"Defining RV Types

Class A diesel motorhome: Also known as diesel pushers or pullers, Class A diesel RVs are motorhomes that are self-contained. There is no vehicle needed to pull a Class A diesel RV. These RVs are large and run on diesel fuel, often including a rear-engine, multiple slide outs, onboard generators, luxury amenities, and spacious designs.

Class A gas motorhome: These RVs are large self-contained gas-powered motorhomes that include features such as slide outs, appliances, and residential-style amenities. They often include exterior features, built-in generators, and luxury elements."

So within the Class A definition, the only differentiating element is the power plant. But both are "Class A" RVs. If a "Tow/Haul" option is limited to gassers, that's interesting, but not relevant to the issue of what constitutes a "Class A" motorhome.
2012 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QGP (All Electric)

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
Racklefratz wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:
They function pretty much the same. The only difference is with a motor home, you will pretty much always want it on, as you are always driving a big heavy brick.


I haven't been following developments WRT newer Class As, but I wasn't aware any offered a "Tow/Haul" option. None of ours ever did, including our current diesel pusher.


While technically diesel pushers are Class A, they really belong in a different category as it's a whole different animal.

Tow/haul seems to be pretty standard in the front engine Class A units we've seen.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

Ponderosa
Explorer
Explorer
I have never used tow haul in my motorhome under normal driving conditions. It seems geared just fine with "D". In tow/haul upshifts are delayed to higher rpm. It is a waste of fuel IMO. I do put it on sometimes on a downhill run but also manually shift it.
2015 Thor Windsport 32N

Racklefratz
Explorer II
Explorer II
valhalla360 wrote:
They function pretty much the same. The only difference is with a motor home, you will pretty much always want it on, as you are always driving a big heavy brick.


I haven't been following developments WRT newer Class As, but I wasn't aware any offered a "Tow/Haul" option. None of ours ever did, including our current diesel pusher.

As I posted earlier, my '15 F-150 has it, and the owner's manual discusses the relevant functions of the Tow/Haul operation in detail.
2012 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QGP (All Electric)

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
Racklefratz wrote:
sssooo wrote:
What is the tow haul used for?
Question is ambiguous. "Tow haul" with respect to WHAT, exactly?

This is a forum dealing with Class A RVs, but my 2015 Ford F-150 has a "Tow/Haul" transmission feature.

What are we talking about here?


They function pretty much the same.

The only difference is with a motor home, you will pretty much always want it on, as you are always driving a big heavy brick.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

Racklefratz
Explorer II
Explorer II
sssooo wrote:
What is the tow haul used for?
Question is ambiguous. "Tow haul" with respect to WHAT, exactly?

This is a forum dealing with Class A RVs, but my 2015 Ford F-150 has a "Tow/Haul" transmission feature.

What are we talking about here?
2012 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43QGP (All Electric)