Ford Tow Haul Mode - Do you use it?

[mfoster711]

I previously had a 2007 F250 Diesel. It had a tow haul mode for the transmission but I only used it once because it did not seem to make much difference and caused my gas mileage to stink. I might be wrong, but I think the tow haul mode would disable overdrive which is probably why my gas mileage stunk.

I now have a 2015 F150 and did some towing today with and without the tow haul mode on. In my F150 it seems to make a bigger difference. When tow haul mode was off I felt like the transmission was shifting way too often. With tow haul mode turned on the transmission shifted less often and seemed to drive better.

I guess I will just drive with the tow haul mode turned on but I was wondering what others do? Do you use it on your F150? Does it make the gas mileage a lot worse?

[frizzen]

mfoster711 wrote:
I previously had a 2007 F250 Diesel. It had a tow haul mode for the transmission but I only used it once because it did not seem to make much difference and caused my gas mileage to stink. I might be wrong, but I think the tow haul mode would disable overdrive which is probably why my gas mileage stunk.

I now have a 2015 F150 and did some towing today with and without the tow haul mode on. In my F150 it seems to make a bigger difference. When tow haul mode was off I felt like the transmission was shifting way too often. With tow haul mode turned on the transmission shifted less often and seemed to drive better.

I guess I will just drive with the tow haul mode turned on but I was wondering what others do? Do you use it on your F150? Does it make the gas mileage a lot worse?

I have an 04 f350. Tow Haul doesn't disable 5th gear overdrive but you do have to get up to 63 or so to shift into fifth. It will then cruise in 5th at 60 or even slower. Need it there for compression breaking on downhill slopes.

[Bears_Den]

On my F150 as said before, if my trailer's attached tow/haul is on.

[itguy08]

If the trailer is attached or a heavy load in the bed, Tow/Haul mode is on. Works great in our F150.

[ReneeG]

93Cobra2771 wrote:
Oh, and you don't have to tap the breaks to get the downshift for engine breaking, it will actually do it for you if you are off the gas long enough and gaining speed.

I have a Ford Freestyle and it does this!

[93Cobra2771]

Tow/haul all the way for me. Stays on the converter a lot longer. In fact, it will pull at 90% load and above before downshifting. They actually set it up VERY well. Oh, and you don't have to tap the brakes to get the downshift for engine breaking, it will actually do it for you if you are off the gas long enough and gaining speed.

Also makes a difference in mpg, to the tune of about 1mpg in my case.

When not in tow haul, the TC tends to unlock very easily, so you run into a lot of that if you are on rolling terrain.

*Edit for spelling error

[shum02]

mabynack wrote:
I have a 2005 F-250 and use Tow Haul a lot. I use it whenever I tow and when I'm in stop and go traffic to save wear and tear on the brakes.

x2

On the Torqueshift 5sp the tranny will not shift into OD until you hit about 62mph/100kms/hr.

[petendoll]

I bought a 2015 F 250 diesel with the tow package and Ford brake contoller this summer. I always use Tow/Haul. I don't see any difference in mileage. The advantages are out of this world. I have towed in the past without out the Ford brake contoller coupled with tow/haul. We just completed a 5000 mile trip through mountains. The combination worked very well. On a down grade I just tapped the brake peddle and it would shift down each time I tapped it. I used very little brakes. It doesn't lock it out of overdrive it just adjusts shift points. I used to stress on steep down hill sections. I was always afraid of overheating the brakes even shifting down manually. If I needed more braking power with this vehicle, I just kicked in the exhaust brake.

[3oaks]

CWSWine wrote:
On my 2915 Ford F350 Doesn't lock out 6th gear and it uses 6th gear most of the time it's towing. Better fuel mileage and less cab noise.

2915 Ford F350? Did you travel into the future? :E

I know, it was just a typo. :B

[CWSWine]

On my 2013 Chevy 2500HD diesel Tow Haul locked out 6th gear and decrease fuel mileage and increased cab noise.

On my 2915 Ford F350 Doesn't lock out 6th gear and it uses 6th gear most of the time it's towing. Better fuel mileage and less cab noise.

[BigDogF250]

I use tow/haul all the time when towing. One thing to point out, it does not disable top gear in the transmission. It does move shift points (RPM and speed) and makes a huge difference downhill keeping the transmission fully engaged and allowing for the motor to slow you down. It may seem like the top gear is locked out if you never get over 55mph, my 2005 will only engage 5th gear at 58mph. That's why I tow closer to 60mph on flat highways, to get into that top gear. As for fuel mileage, it's the extra weight of the trailer causing that to drop, not a setting on the truck.

Overall IMHO it's the best thing since sliced bread, keeps me comfortable towing in the hills of southern California.

[mabynack]

I have a 2005 F-250 and use Tow Haul a lot. I use it whenever I tow and when I'm in stop and go traffic to save wear and tear on the brakes.

[fla-gypsy]

On my 09 F-250 6.8L/4.10 rear I used T/H all the time imitially but I have modified my use to higher tarffic driving for the increased braking it provides rather than longer shift patterns it activates. My set up never really lacks for power in the flat lands of Florida and T/H seemed to want to stay in too low a gear and wind up too much when it was unnecessary. If I go somewhere that involves climbing I would use it all the time.

[ReneeG]

stickdog wrote:
Mountains don't scare me, I have tow/haul!!

Love it! We used to be before we got our diesel with tow/haul mode. We are now fearless, but respectful.

[Desert_Captain]

deltabravo wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
...Get a Scan Gauge and start monitoring your trans fluid temps.

Scan Gauge is useful, but they are old skool.

Get an Edge Insight CS2 or CTS2. Much more advanced

Get whatever you like that gives accurate info but there is nothing "old school" about the scan gauge. All of the displays take their info from the ECM.

:C