crawford
Dandridge Tenn.
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If ford want you in tow mod all the time they would not have given you a choice. They would have made it so.
Change from a c class to a A class Georgetown 07 triple slide
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cjd10
Charleston SC
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Love the tow haul mode. Didn’t have it on our old MH. I used to worry about driving in the mountains but the tow mode makes it so easy. I’ve used it before in stop and go traffic also but after reading through these posts will probably start leaving it on all the time.
Clyde and Elaine
2014 Georgetown 351DS by Forest River
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Tvov
CT
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Desert Captain wrote:....
The other huge benefit to TH use on descents is that you are not burning a drop of fuel regardless of rpm. TH locks the the torque converter and shuts off the flow of fuel to the engine enhancing not only control but fuel efficiency as well.
![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/cool.gif "cool")
Tow/haul shuts off fuel flow? I've not heard that.
I may be misunderstanding.
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DrewE
Vermont
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Tvov wrote:
Tow/haul shuts off fuel flow? I've not heard that.
I may be misunderstanding.
Most all modern engine/transmission systems will shut off the fuel flow when engine braking; there's no need to provide even idle fuel when gravitation is keeping the engine spinning. I'd be very much surprised if that function is enabled by tow/haul, although it's probably more likely to happen since tow/haul downshifts automatically with braking (under some conditions) to provide increased engine braking.
Similarly, while tow/haul most likely expands the conditions under which the torque converter locks, it's not as though it won't lock otherwise in most if not all of the various gears. Even the old 4R100 transmission in my class C, which predates the introduction of tow/hual mode, will lock the torque converter when cruising in second, third, and fourth (overdrive) gears. I don't know if it will lock it up in first gear or not; I don't spend much time cruising in first.
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dodge guy
Bartlett IL
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Fuel flow is shut down during Decel with the torque converter locked. This is what keeps the engine turning. Once the TC unlocks then minimal due flow is restored.
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Son Brandon 17yrs
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Desert Captain
Payson
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Tvov wrote:Desert Captain wrote:....
The other huge benefit to TH use on descents is that you are not burning a drop of fuel regardless of rpm. TH locks the the torque converter and shuts off the flow of fuel to the engine enhancing not only control but fuel efficiency as well.
Tow/haul shuts off fuel flow? I've not heard that.
I may be misunderstanding.
I was referring to long descents, watch your real time mpg display when TH is engaged. Your mileage will pin at the max, 99 for most displays, as the engine is giving you lots of braking without burning any fuel. At the bottom of the grade when the engine braking ceases your real time mileage returns to reflect the fuel you are now burning.
I have been down hundreds of long 6 to 8 percent grades from 6 to 12 miles} in Tow Haul and virtually never had to touch the brakes. I set my speed as is appropriate for the road/weather conditions and my fuel consumption is zip.
IMHO: Pretty hard to come up with a legitimate reason not to use Tow haul.
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scbwr
North Ridgeville, OH
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I use tow haul mode all the time for two reasons. First, it prevents excessive braking, especially when headed down hill. Secondly, it helps to make the motorhome stop more quickly as you can press the brake pedal and force a downshift. From what I've read, the transmission can handle it. I just came back from traveling through a lot of the mountains in Pennsylvania and when downshifting, the RPMs usually stayed at 4K or less. Without using the tow haul mode, I think it would be very easy to overheat the brakes and damage them.
Years ago, I didn't really understand the importance of downshifting when towing a trailer with a Dodge dually (gas) and I ended up having smoking brakes and had to pull over to let them cool down. Obviously, it wasn't good for the brake pads.
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PastorCharlie
NC
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crawford wrote:If ford want you in tow mod all the time they would not have given you a choice. They would have made it so.
Ford used the transmission in many different chassis and load applications.
Not all applications are loaded at all times such as motorhomes which are permanently built on their chassis. Those houses with full appliances weigh tons. Motorhomes are always hauling their loads. If using a pickup or flat bed unloaded then Tow/Haul would not be recommended.
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down home
south
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Our 2005F350 dualie had tow haul mode switch. Empty coming down a wet hill, I put it in tow hall and the truck went sideways. They changed the programming after that. Drive it in tow haul from the start won't cause any problems.
Tow Haul effectively gave to other gears. I don't remember between which gears, when not in tow haul. Probably a lower first gear and lower gear between 2 and 3. In a diesel that was lot more engine breaking, plus it engaged the engine brake....the reason my truck went sideways when suddenly engaged.
I didn't read all the replies so my apologies if someone else gave the same info.
* This post was
edited 09/28/21 02:30pm by down home *
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Groover
Pulaski, TN
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I would like to think that any transmission put in a MH has programming specific for motorhomes and you could make a good case for not using it when lightly loaded, for a motorhome. So using tow/haul on a motorhome may come down to your personal preference on how the vehicle drives.
As down home experienced though, in some vehicles ABS does not override tow/haul engine braking so in slippery conditions you may want to be sure that tow/haul is disabled.
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