I have the 09 F150 XLT with 4.6L engine. I was towing my boat (3500lbs) the other day (back to storage) and I was testing out the tow/haul mode. During the drive I noticed I could not get the vehicle to downshift via tapping/mashing/coaxing the brake pedal. I dropped off the vehicle at the dealership and they said it was not a function of the vehicle.

The vehicle staying in gear longer and 'reducing' my shift needs seemed to be working fine.

WTH? I thought it didn't matter on engine type and we all had this functionality.

 

Just wanted to add I was not using the trailer brake controller (I have the integrated) as the trailer for the boat does not have brakes.

don't know if you need that hooked up for the truck to downshift by hitting the brake pedal or not.

 

Has it got the six speed trans?

 

I have and 09 XTL 4.6 3V Scab w ~1,700 miles. I picked up some coal last week and have been using T/H since to test out the performance. Most of the time, it will down shift as previously described. There have been a few times when it has not, regardless of the grade I'm on. I am continuing to watch this while hauling this load of about 1/2 ton. Next time I notice that it doesn't down shift, I'll cancel T/H, wait a bit and re-engage.

 

Yes. Doesn't all 2009+ F150 come with 6-speeds?

 

OK, here's the deal on this aspect of the tow haul mode with the newer 6 speed A/T:

I have played with this feature to no end, on the freeway and also on the mountain county roads in my area.

If you are on the flat (fairly level roadway) it will not shift down when tapping the brake pedal. It will still do all the other aspects of T/H with respect to gearing while towing or just hauling a load, but not down shift. The computer in the trans senses the engine vacuum and throttle position while on a down grade and responds accordingly.

If however, you are on a grade even a moderate one, if you let up on the gas and then tap the brake it will down shift a gear. Tap again and it will drop another gear, and if on a long very steep grade, you can tap it again and it will shift down to where your RPM's are approaching 4,000.

I find that on moderate grades the first tap and/or maybe a second, will hold the vehicle speed under control with very little or no brake required.

 

I think (but could be wrong) that some or all 4.6l 2v engine equipped F-150s came with a 4 speed auto trans.

 

Yes, the 4.6L 2-Valve engine comes with the 4-speed auto and the 4.6L 3-Valve version comes with the 6-speed A/T.

 

I have the 6 speed and 4.6L 3v engine.

When I was towing, I was crossing into WI from MN on I-90. When doing so there is a 8 or 9 % grade descending down for about 2 miles into LaCrosse.

The vehicle just kept gaining speed with the boat and I was trying to tap and later mash on the brake to make it downshift and start engine braking. The tach never moved higher nor did I sense the vehicle downshifting.

 

If you were on that steep of a downgrade, while in drive and T/H mode, and off the gas pedal, towing or not, you gave the brake pedal a jab or two, and it didn't shift down, then there is an issue with your unit. I cannot believe that the engine size would have an impact on this function, as long as you have the new 6-speed trans.

Again, you do not need to be towing, it will function with just the truck and driver. If you can find another hilly road nearby, you might want to check it out some more before returning to the dealer.