Mike Up

Just to clarify things, the 2016 F150 5.0L w/3.73 geared truck, towed perfect and strongly without the tow mode engaged.

I've always used the Tow Mode in my previous 2012 5.0L w/3.73 gears. It added engine braking when going down hills, upshifted slower and downshifted sooner. It even stayed out of 6th gear longer. Everything I would want and expect.

Tow Mode on the 2016 is down right weird. It does engine braking on flat roads now which took some getting use to. It seems the engine braking is tied to the force on the brake pedal. The harder I brake, the sooner it jumps to the lower gear with higher rpms. I'm guessing this helps keep the rotors from getting warped when someone doesn't use enough voltage on their trailer brakes to stop the trailer with it's own brakes, and uses the truck to help stop the trailer.

Most of the time, shifting through the gears was good, but a few times concerned me. The truck would go up to 5th gear to soon and would not downshift when needed. Made the truck lug at 1500 - 2200 rpm. If I got forceful with the throttle, it then jumped down to 2nd gear and went up to 4500 rpm. It jumped from 5th gear down to 2nd gear, not 4th or 3rd like it needed to. Only did this a few times but if it continues, I'll be taking it in for warranty. Don't know if the computer got confused or just needs an update.

Like I said, taking it out of tow mode made everything good.

Norotso

I do know that that trannys in these truck have a learning curve based on use that the computer registers.

Mike Up

Yeh, but on the 2016 it also has sport and tow modes. The standard mode should be adaptive but tow and sport mode are predefined and setup for more aggressive performance.

Pugga

iTrader: (1)

I'm having a similar experience on my 2013. Tow mode pisses me off, I end up putting in manual for hilly areas and doing the gear changes myself.

Mike Up

Well I drove around today, just the truck, in tow mode and everything was good and as expected, except for the active engine braking on level roads.

Maybe a fluke, I don't know. I'll see next time I tow and use Tow Mode.

As I said, never an issue with Tow Mode with either my previous 2010 F150 4WD Screw 5.4L w/3.55 LS or my previous 2012 F150 4WD Screw 5.0L w/3.73 Locker.

Hoping for the best!

SKBORDERS

I like the engine braking. saves the brakes and increases safety. I also like how it will hold a speed you brake to down a hill even without the cruise control set.

Bohunter

How high should the RPM jump on engine braking, mine jumps to almost 5000 rpm? (only in tow mode) Seems way too high.

untraceable

The engine braking drives me nuts on my 16 5.0 in Tow-Haul. Had an exit ramp where when I put on the brake, she downshifted all the way to 2nd and redlining the motor.


FWIW, my old man has a super duty and despises Tow-Haul mode and uses Manual mode religiously when towing. A couple times now Ive put the truck in manual mode just driving around to get used to it and shifting from the tree. Becomes pretty natural.


Though I haven't tried it yet, Sport Mode feels like it would be much better that T-H for towing. Ive got a 1300 mile trip this weekend that should give me some quality testing time

Bohunter

Be interested on what you find out, thanks

untraceable

Truck did not like towing in sport mode at all. That plan was scrapped about a mile into the trip getting to the freeway.

Just became the biggest fan of manual mode. Pulls great, tranny shifts when you want it. Downside is you prob shouldnt use cruise control unless you know the terrain.

I actually liked manual mode for braking on exit ramps too. Engine breaking when it's ready for downshifts.

Once off the freeway and wheeling around to the gas station/rest stop, regular drive was ideal to focus on the new surroundings.

Some big hills on the trip. 75-80mph @ 11mpg in my 5.0 from MN to Bentonville. I'm going to run the trip 2 for the total way back. Wish I would have reset it at the start for the whole 1300 mile trip