wintersun wrote:
With trucks the Range mode shuts off the downhill grade control completely which is not good when towing. The tow haul mode is designed to protect the transmission when towing a very heavy load. With trucks that is 75% of the maximum tow load per GM's recommendations. On steep 8% grades I use tow haul with any load as it makes for an easier descent with very little use of the brakes needed.
Range mode puts your vehicle back 20 years in towing performance. The only time it is advantageous is when starting out on soft ground where you can shift it into 2 gear and the vehicle will apply less torque to the rear wheels to minimize loss of traction.
Well I completely disagree. Use tow haul mode for any high walled RV. Towing an RV is the hardest type of trialer to tow. 4000 pounds or 10,000 pounds same (poor) aero drag and 8-10mpg. Thus, use tow/haul mode for the higher shift points and more torque converter lock time. No other types of trailer owners (boats, race cars, landscaping. etc use as much fuel as we RVers do. We work the truck the hardest, so use the tow/haul mode.
Manual/range mode when combined with tow haul does still use first gear in it's normal tow/haul mode shift pattern.
