Towing with Max Tow Ecoboost engines
01-02-2013, 10:09 PM
#11
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.
Tow Haul also engages the transmission brake. That's a biggie for me.
Buck
01-02-2013, 10:12 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
i will use the tow/haul mode the first time towing the boat to make sure i dont do any damage to my truck. The problem is with a new truck everything is a first until i get used to everything or figure it out. After having a SD for 12 years, that thing was a tank on wheels, put it in drive and go. This Ecoboost is so dam new (tech) and never had such a nice truck before its like putting a tux on a redneck.
01-02-2013, 10:39 PM
#15
Senior Member
I tow my bass boat 2-4 times a week 45 miles each way in slight hills with 3.55 gears in a screw and I have never put it in tow haul. I watch my transmission temp and it never gets hot. IMO you'll be fine with out it.
01-02-2013, 11:03 PM
#16
Tow haul for the win.
Engine braking.
Raises shift points slightly
I actually observed better fuel economy when pulling my 7500# travel trailer. How? When pulling a hill, it would keep torque convertor locked up until the downshift. So it would turn less rpm under load than if the torque coverter unlocked and it stayed in top gear.
I tested this over a 1000 mile round trip this summer.
The engine braking alone makes tow haul worth it, IMO.
Engine braking.
Raises shift points slightly
I actually observed better fuel economy when pulling my 7500# travel trailer. How? When pulling a hill, it would keep torque convertor locked up until the downshift. So it would turn less rpm under load than if the torque coverter unlocked and it stayed in top gear.
I tested this over a 1000 mile round trip this summer.
The engine braking alone makes tow haul worth it, IMO.
Last edited by 93Cobra#2771; 01-03-2013 at 01:36 PM. Reason: spelling
01-03-2013, 01:21 AM
#17
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?
01-03-2013, 05:05 AM
#18
I also always use t/h when towing my 8000lb camper. The engine breaking although not great does help. It also seems to hold first and second gear longer helping to get up to speed better and not lugging the engine by not shifting too early.
01-03-2013, 10:40 AM
#19
Senior Member
Tow haul for the win.
Engine braking.
Raises shift points slightly
I actually observer better fuel economy when pulling my 7500# travel trailer. How? When pulling a hill, it would keep torque conveyor locked up until the downshift. So it would turn less rpm under load than if the torque coverter unlocked and it stayed in top gear.
I tested this over a 1000 mile round trip this summer.
The engine braking alone makes tow haul worth it, IMO.
Engine braking.
Raises shift points slightly
I actually observer better fuel economy when pulling my 7500# travel trailer. How? When pulling a hill, it would keep torque conveyor locked up until the downshift. So it would turn less rpm under load than if the torque coverter unlocked and it stayed in top gear.
I tested this over a 1000 mile round trip this summer.
The engine braking alone makes tow haul worth it, IMO.
I was so impressed with tow haul mode when I first used it pulling my mustang on my car trailer. The engine braking was awesome and I loved how it kept the torque converter locked pretty much the entire time. Not sure why anyone would not want to use it.
01-03-2013, 12:07 PM
#20
Good Lord some of you shouldn't be allowed to have a license if you can't figure this out... If you think holding gears longer and a little more engine breaking would help when coming to a stop, etc... then use T/H or Manual Mode. If the engine is constantly lugging due to the terrain or load then start locking out 6th and maybe even 5th. Or don't push any buttons and just drive around like you don't know any better. Or here's a novel idea, try all three and see what works best for your truck, load, and conditions. Really, it's not that hard. Just remember the brake is on the left and the gas is on the right! 
