Using Tow/Haul mode
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
It does NOT change gearing. Bit it does load a completely different profile/program for the transmission.
When I tow my trailer (about 6500) I turn it on and love it. It's one of my favorite features about these wonderful trucks. Use it all the time your trailer is back there.
It doesn't lock out 6th gear. But it certainly changes the point at which it shifts into 6th. Same for all the other gears. And if you're in mountains and big hills, the braking is great once you get used to how it works.
There are a couple big hills out here, and when I tow my trailer up them, this truck really impresses me.
I'm guessing it's 3rd gear - but when this 5.4 is spinning about 3200-3500 rpm, I can't imagine something it couldn't pull.
When I tow my trailer (about 6500) I turn it on and love it. It's one of my favorite features about these wonderful trucks. Use it all the time your trailer is back there.
It doesn't lock out 6th gear. But it certainly changes the point at which it shifts into 6th. Same for all the other gears. And if you're in mountains and big hills, the braking is great once you get used to how it works.
There are a couple big hills out here, and when I tow my trailer up them, this truck really impresses me.
I'm guessing it's 3rd gear - but when this 5.4 is spinning about 3200-3500 rpm, I can't imagine something it couldn't pull.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 208
Likes: 2
This was what I thought too but I've been using mine to help pass people and I do notice a change in RPMs. I'd get up behind them on a flat road and push the button while waiting for the last car coming at us and the RPMs do go up a couple hundred right after I engage tow/haul but before I step on the gas to start passing. Based on that it does seem to change the gearing even in 6th.
It doesn't lock out either of the OD gears, but it does change the point at which the transmission will switch to them. If you're right on the RPM/load bubble where it feels like it should be in 5th while towing, it is going to downshift.
Chances are, though, that you've let off the gas a little right before you pass. If you're faster than the car in front of you, and you get up on them, ready to pass, but have to wait for the on-coming traffic to clear, then you're going to slow down a little, which would set off the engine braking causing a downshift.