NASAGuy
Titusville,FL USA
Senior Member
Joined: 01/30/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
 Offline
|
We have a 2009 Southwind on the Ford chassis and at this point have driven only in the Florida flatlands so I am still puzzled by the Tow/Haul feature. On flat ground switching to Tow/Haul doesn't do anything obvious.Information in the owner's manual doesn't go into detail. So, before we get to the top of an 11,000 foot mountain pass on our summer trip it would be really nice to know more about this feature. I am an experienced mountain driver but Tow/Haul is new to me.
Can anyone explain when tow/Haul should be used? Also,does using this feature continuosly affect gas mileage?
NASAGuy
|
ljr869
Fallbrook, CA
Full Member
Joined: 10/22/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
Tow/Haul changes the shift points. All gears are still available. You'll be in lower gears longer so it will effect mileage. You should use it when you're towing.
Jim
2009 Fleetwood Bounder 35H
Ford V-10 w/ Banks
|
JohnMo
Kentucky
Senior Member
Joined: 11/09/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
My 2009 Winnebago owners manual says that Tow/Haul locks out overdrive, but I believe that's inaccurate based on what I've read elsewhere. Tow/Haul changes the shift points on the transmission and sets it to downshift more aggressively to supply engine braking.
We just got ours, but I've already noticed this at work on a short but steep hill on the way home. I never touched my brakes going down and it held 55 MPH. In my '96 Bounder I would have to downshift manually and use the brakes to hold it down.
I think you can leave Tow/Haul mode engaged all the time with little effect other than holding each gear a little longer as you accelerate.
* This post was
edited 03/16/09 10:51am by JohnMo *
2009 Winnebago 35J Ford
|
dayner
Slidell, LA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/14/2005
View Profile
|
tow haul simply locks the tranny in gear for a longer period of time (higher rpm before up-shift)and prevents up shift when you are in that gear and let up on the accelerator while the selector is still in dirve. Also it downshifts at a higher rpm as the vehicle slows. Works pretty good if you are on a series of really steep and very short hills, but you can do pretty much the same thing by manually shifting. I seldom use it except to slow on long grades.
|
Goodturn
Ontario Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 03/11/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
Tow/Haul mode delays transmission upshifts to help reduce the frequency of gear hunting, especially during uphill climbs. It also provides engine braking in all forward gears when the transmission is in the D (overdrive) position. The braking from the engine is designed to help slow the vehicle and assist drivers in controlling the vehicle while descending grades. Sometimes I find that the transmission will stay in a lower gear longer than I like. I simply disengage the Tow/haul until it shifts, then re-engage it. We tow a car trailer and Tow/Haul is a valuable asset to our MH.
|
|
|
ljr869
Fallbrook, CA
Full Member
Joined: 10/22/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
"Found online:
While going uphill, tow-haul mode holds a gear longer before upshifting to help maintain consistent travel without strain. During downhill runs, a tap on the brake signals tow-haul, triggering downshifts as appropriate to slow the vehicle. The driver experiences greater control and reduced need for downhill braking."
|
NASAGuy
Titusville,FL USA
Senior Member
Joined: 01/30/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
My thanks to all for helping me out. Your information was exactly what I wanted to know. I will feel a lot better now when I get on top of that 11,000 foot mountain pass. However, If you see a new Southwind whizzing by you on a steep downhill grade you will know I haven't quite got the hang of it yet. 
|
fred v.
florida
Full Member
Joined: 04/07/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
I have a class C with tow/haul and only use it for braking on down hill grades. it works fine for that also if speed increases to much just tap brakes to down shift to lower slower gear. Don't use it on level as i think it hurts miles per gal . fwiw fred
|
01indianbob
home
New Member
Joined: 04/13/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
I'm interested in towing my little Aviator. I've got a 34' Bounder with the Ford chassis...and towhauler option. Will I need to do anything with the Aviator? I mean, I know I'll have to put it in neutral, but is that all? It can't be that easy, can it?
|
larry barnhart
wenatchee. wa usa
Senior Member
Joined: 03/30/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
We have had 2 chev trucks with tow mode and there is no difference driving level road in either in or out. I would think in a MH you are always towing because of the weight of the vechicle.
chevman
chevman
2001 35 ft avalon alpenlite RK
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
prodigy
easyrider/reese airhitch
trailair center point suspension
JT Strong Arm Stabilizers
KSH 55 inbed fuel tank
Garmin 2720
scanguage II
TD-EOC
Induction Overhaul Kit
|
|
|
