Tow /haul mode questions

Thanks again for all the replies. I do recall some murmurings about a trans reflash needed on 2011 and early 2012 builds. Ours is an early 2012 build, so will have to check that out. Truck had only about 900 miles on it prior to towing, not thinking that should be an issue. Going to call local dealer and see if we can arrange a drive with a tech onboard while tt is hooked up, they have some pretty decent hills right in the area and I have no doubt truck will misbehave while doing so.

Overall we really love the truck and it's more than adequate for our towing needs, but it sure would be nice to use that tow/haul for what it's meant to do.

My 2012 f250 gas shifts down a gear farther than necessary, but it never skips a gear. It does sometimes downshift to 2nd before giving 3rd a fair chance to show it can do the job. I'm pulling a 11-11.5K pound (loaded) 5th wheel trailer.

Over time, it does seem to be learning and getting better about this.

Definitely doesn't sound right.. I know with the F150's that when new the transmission learns your driving style and adjusts the shift points accordingly. How many miles were on the truck before you started towing with it? I know for the F150's they recommend 1000mi on the odometer before towing for proper break in..

I would start by verifying that you have a full transmission. My truck came from the dealer a quart shy and this could have an effect. Tow Haul will primarily affect the torque converter and how it locks up and how and when it releases. This is designed not for smoother shifting but to keep the transmission operating cooler as more slipping adds more heat.

Check with Ford to be sure that there are no service bulletins for either the 2012 or the 2011 trucks with this transmission. You should be able to check online.

tbred wrote:
Hello to all! Hoping to pick some brains and get some answers.

We recently traded our 2008 f250 6.4 (nothing but issues starting) for a new 2012 f250 6.2 (gas) understandably towing and torque is different but it seems abnormal that in tow/haul mode the trans would bypass 3rd and slam into 2nd on even the slightest grade. It would then sit in 2nd often revving well over 5000 rpm even upon leveling out. We finally finished the trip manually shifting, but lost the engine braking feature in doing so. Planning on taking it to Ford but I know they won't be able to duplicate this without towing. Any thoughts/experience? Thanks!

Your symptoms are NOT NORMAL at all, I have a 2013 F250 with 6.2 and all I can say is that so far mine shifts buttery smooth, no slamming with 9K miles on the clock.

I would highly suggest that you document any odd behaviors like this with a video camera and then go to your dealer. Without some credible evidence like the video you most likely will get the dreaded "no problem found" or "can not duplicate" rejection .

I am runni9ng a 12 F250 pulling a 11.5K fifth wheel.

Sounds like maybe you got a real early 12 model and a reflash or selonoid fix is in order.

Leave it hooked up, take it to the stealer and take a tech for a ride.

BTW, I am old school and do not like all the roaring and carrying on with tow haul mode. I been running without it and will probably continue to do so.

Doesn't sound right to me. My F150 (not sure if it has the same trans as the 250 *edit* nope, it's not the same) won't skip gears unless I really mash the gas. If I inadvertently give it too much gas and get it into second gear though, I do have to get out of the gas quite a bit for a few seconds before it will shift up to third when in tow/haul.

tbred wrote:
...new 2012 f250 6.2 (gas) understandably towing and torque is different but it seems abnormal that in tow/haul mode the trans would bypass 3rd and slam into 2nd on even the slightest grade. It would then sit in 2nd often revving well over 5000 rpm even upon leveling out. We finally finished the trip manually shifting, but lost the engine braking feature in doing so. Planning on taking it to Ford but I know they won't be able to duplicate this without towing. Any thoughts/experience? Thanks!

I am assuming you are referencing a descent, not ascent? If it was a descent, the trans will hold in that gear until you provide a bit of acceleration. The trans dropped into 2nd gear as you had it in Tow/Haul mode and you were applying braking hard enough to where it chose 2nd, along with your revs must be within range for 2nd.

Providing acceleration, on your part, should signal to the trans to stop holding the gear it is in as you don't require engine braking any longer.

Once you are aware of how it works, it can be quite effective.


EDIT: Just noticed this in your additional post...so ignore my response as you were referencing incline.

tbred wrote:
...but 2nd gear seems a little extreme considering we did fine on similar inclines in 4th gear in manual mode...

My F250 6.2 likes to drop gears and wind up pretty easily. Torque curve on these engines appears to be abysmal below 3000rpms. That said pulling a decent load I feel the trans does a good job of picking the right gear for the conditions possibly with the exception of hanging up a little too long in a lower gear after cresting a hill. But that is only the case if the road is straight and fast and you're lookin to gain some steam going downhill. On slower or winding roads it seems appropriate.

I'd get it checked out if its dropping too low or hanging too long in that gear. If its only replicated by towing then set it up w the dealer to bring your truck in for a loaded up test drive over a cpl hills.

Thanks for the replies, towing approx. 8500 lbs.(loaded weight) and well under 2800 lb. payload. Really shouldn't be an issue for a HD truck- be it diesel or gas. We knew it would be a different experience than our diesel, but 2nd gear seems a little extreme considering we did fine on similar inclines in 4th gear in manual mode. Maybe we'll take it in to dealer trailer and all!!!!