Towing with Max Tow Ecoboost engines
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Towing with Max Tow Ecoboost engines
I had a Super Duty before and never had any issue towing my bass boat and every now and then on occasion would put in OD lockout or Tow/Haul mode. This new 2013 Ecoboost with the Max Tow 3.73 rear. This can tow 11,100 pounds. My bass boat is around 3,000lbs+, mainly on flat terrain, and occasional small hill. For those guys who tow alot do you push the tow/haul button for this kind of load or do you just drive normally and let the low end torque and transmission do the work? I havent hooked boat up yet (too cold) But will be on the next warm spell. Any thoughts on towing with this truck?
#4
Senior Member
Haven't used tow/haul yet and I tow an 8k 5th. I just lock it out of 6th and go. Manual says not to use tow/haul unless you are in really hilly terrain or mountains. When I head out west, I'll give it a try.
Edit: forgot to say that you won't need to lock out 6th. It might downshift to 5th on a hill but that's it. Just let it do it's thing.
Edit: forgot to say that you won't need to lock out 6th. It might downshift to 5th on a hill but that's it. Just let it do it's thing.
Last edited by Buck50HD; 01-02-2013 at 07:51 PM.
#5
Senior Member
Mine doesn't have the max tow, I've used both the T/H mode and and normal mode and can't tell any difference other than it stays in one gear a little longer before it upshifts to the next in T/H. My boat is only 18.5 ft and not that heavy. I have used the T/H in Colorado mountains and it does keep it from shifting a little.
#6
Personally would not use tow/haul unless transmission was having issues keeping up. Usually you'll notice the transmission keep unlocking the torque converter to build rpms. If it starts doing that then I would push it. I tow a similar weight bass boat in South Georgia which has flat terrain and have never had to use it.
#7
Senior Member
Haven't used tow/haul yet and I tow an 8k 5th. I just lock it out of 6th and go. Manual says not to use tow/haul unless you are in really hilly terrain or mountains. When I head out west, I'll give it a try.
Edit: forgot to say that you won't need to lock out 6th. It might downshift to 5th on a hill but that's it. Just let it do it's thing.
Edit: forgot to say that you won't need to lock out 6th. It might downshift to 5th on a hill but that's it. Just let it do it's thing.
I'm towing about the same weight as you and I use tow/ haul everytime i hook up. I also lockout 6th gear when I'm in hilly terrain. I will admit since it's just a little V6 the engine breaking is a joke when descending down a steep grade. Just out of curiosity what temp does your trans run at while towing if your not using tow/haul?? The hottest my trans has seen is 203 degrees on a long 6-7% climb. Most of the time its right at 195 degrees.
Kevin
Trending Topics
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
so some use tow/haul and some dont. If things are flat shouldnt the truck know when to shift. I had OD lockout on my 02 SD but it had a 4 sp trans and only locked out 4th gear and made truck run higher rpms and drank fuel. If i hit the tow/haul on this ecoboost will i notice it run different and same engine high rpms between shifts or does it just lock out 6th gear?
#9
Senior Member
Not sure where you read in the owners manual about not using tow/haul unless in hilly terrain or mountains? My manual says to use it whenever towing. It reads and i quote- Improves transmission operation when towing a trailer or heavy load. Tow/Haul delays upshifts which assists in transmission cooling and also to reduce frequency of transmission shifting. Tow/haul also provides engine breaking in all forward gears.
I'm towing about the same weight as you and I use tow/ haul everytime i hook up. I also lockout 6th gear when I'm in hilly terrain. I will admit since it's just a little V6 the engine breaking is a joke when descending down a steep grade. Just out of curiosity what temp does your trans run at while towing if your not using tow/haul?? The hottest my trans has seen is 203 degrees on a long 6-7% climb. Most of the time its right at 195 degrees.
Kevin
I'm towing about the same weight as you and I use tow/ haul everytime i hook up. I also lockout 6th gear when I'm in hilly terrain. I will admit since it's just a little V6 the engine breaking is a joke when descending down a steep grade. Just out of curiosity what temp does your trans run at while towing if your not using tow/haul?? The hottest my trans has seen is 203 degrees on a long 6-7% climb. Most of the time its right at 195 degrees.
Kevin
#10
Senior Member
so some use tow/haul and some dont. If things are flat shouldnt the truck know when to shift. I had OD lockout on my 02 SD but it had a 4 sp trans and only locked out 4th gear and made truck run higher rpms and drank fuel. If i hit the tow/haul on this ecoboost will i notice it run different and same engine high rpms between shifts or does it just lock out 6th gear?