What does tow haul do on Ram 2500 CTD

[M_R_E_]

What does tow haul do when towing. I was told by some that it locks 5th gear. Is this true ?

[M_R_E_]

Thanks to all.

[BarryG20]

On my 2017 3500 68 rfe in tow/haul does not lockout 6th gear you just have to be going fast enough for it to use it. However I can lockout sixth via the shift button. What Bert said seems to be a pretty good description of how mine acts.

[brulaz]

(I always use the auto exhaust brake EB when towing.)

I like tow/haul in town (off highway) and in the hills as it downshifts earlier and keeps the revs up so the EB does most of the work. Other wise the EB cuts out at ~1200 rpm, and the brakes get a real workout.

On the flats on highways, like here in FL, I don't use T/H as it spends too much time in 5th. With our little 8500# trailer, 6th has more than enough ooomph at 55-65mph and is quieter than 5th.

[Mike_E_]

DownTheAvenue wrote:
It also depends on which engine the transmission is coupled to. Some posts have assumed it is the diesel, and we all know what happens when we assume.

Some of us read the title of the post. ....."Ram 2500 CTD" Cummins Turbo Diesel.

It's OK, it was mighty early when you posted 🙂

[DownTheAvenue]

It also depends on which engine the transmission is coupled to. Some posts have assumed it is the diesel, and we all know what happens when we assume.

[tinner12002]

M.R.E. wrote:
What does tow haul do when towing. I was told by some that it locks 5th gear. Is this true ?

No it isn't. When using tow/haul it firms the shifts and lets the engine build more RPM between shift points. It still goes into 6th but tranny doesn't short shift saving fuel like it does when in regular drive mode.

[ChooChooMan74]

path1 wrote:
.

My thoughts exactly.... :h

[4x4ord]

On my Ford it turns a little light on on the dash.

[Bionic_Man]

AngryBert-63 wrote:

IdaD wrote:

M.R.E. wrote:
It's a '16.

Changes shift points (up and down) is the most obvious thing. I've read increased line pressure but some have questioned that so I'm not sure on that front. I can tell you tow/haul mode plus in concert with the exhaust brake gives you an incredibly good towing experience.

When I have my exhaust brake in auto and tow haul selected the minute I touch my brakes the truck 'takes over' and starts down-shifting and braking.

A good example is the first time I used them (tow/haul & exhaust brake) together. I was approaching a traffic light and it had turned red so I let off the gas and began to coast. You could hear the exhaust brake engage and it began to gently slow us.

The minute I touched my brakes, the tranny started rev-matching/down-shifting and the exhaust brake became more aggressive in slowing us. It was amazing. By the time I reached the light I barely had to touch the brakes to complete the stop. Aside from the initial touch to begin slowing (I let off once the truck started doing its thing) to the end, I didn't ahve to use the brakes at all.

I used to have an 04 Cummins so this was all new to me.

Great system.

Best description so far. In my mind, it can almost be too aggressive. It really won't allow you to "coast" with the downshifting. Too much deceleration. Personally, I would rather not use it most of the time.

[Me_Again]

AngryBert-63 wrote:
Depends on the year.

Tow haul on my 2016 adjusts the shift points and integrates itself with the exhaust brake (in auto mode) to help stop your rig.

Locking out gears is done separately.

My camper is 10,000# loaded and my 3500 will pull it in sixth gear all day long.

My 2015 3500 with Aisin with not shift to 6th until at or slightly over 65 MPH when in tow haul. I tow in 5th all the time at 60-63 MPH at 25,400 combined weight.

Chris

[donn0128]

Lots of mis information so far. What transmission? The 68RFE tow haul alters the shift points and holds each gear to a higher RPM to allow stronger accelerarion when pulling.

[bbaker2001]

Thanks Bert,

[Winnebago_Bob]

IdaD wrote:

M.R.E. wrote:
It's a '16.

Changes shift points (up and down) is the most obvious thing. I've read increased line pressure but some have questioned that so I'm not sure on that front. I can tell you tow/haul mode plus in concert with the exhaust brake gives you an incredibly good towing experience.

When I have my exhaust brake in auto and tow haul selected the minute I touch my brakes the truck 'takes over' and starts down-shifting and braking.

A good example is the first time I used them (tow/haul & exhaust brake) together. I was approaching a traffic light and it had turned red so I let off the gas and began to coast. You could hear the exhaust brake engage and it began to gently slow us.

The minute I touched my brakes, the tranny started rev-matching/down-shifting and the exhaust brake became more aggressive in slowing us. It was amazing. By the time I reached the light I barely had to touch the brakes to complete the stop. Aside from the initial touch to begin slowing (I let off once the truck started doing its thing) to the end, I didn't ahve to use the brakes at all.

I used to have an 04 Cummins so this was all new to me.

Great system.

[Winnebago_Bob]

M.R.E. wrote:
It's a '16.

Then it should perform the same as ours. There is a switch on the end of the right hand stalk that allows you to lock out gears as you see fit.

I've never had to use it. The truck has never hunted or bogged at all towing our Arctic Fox.