So I'm new to F150. I have a 2019 XLT with a towing package of some kind (subject of another thread). It seems there might be various strategies for using the 10 speed transmission effectively when towing TT that weighs about 5k fully loaded. I live in AZ so lots of steep grades up and down. One obvious answer seems to be use Tow mode, and let the truck figure it out. But I also see various other options like using manual, or progressive range selection locking out higher gears. Marketing literature is one thing, but real world experience is often quite different. So interested in any insight on this topic.

 

Use Tow/Haul mode. That is exactly what it's designed to do. It keeps you in lower gears longer, at higher revs, which is what the truck is designed to do.

In addition, you will want to manually lock out the higher gears if you find the truck shifting all the time. People report significantly better MPG by locking out higher gears. It will depend on your load, and the terrain.

Your manual explains. Since you bought the truck used, if you don't have a manual go to owner.ford.com and download it.

If you have more than 500 pounds tongue weight, or 5,000 pounds total trailer weight, you'll need a weight distribution hitch. And of course you need a brake controller.

When Towing a Trailer

•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 mi (800 km).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly after you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
• When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather, place the transmission in park (P) to aid engine and transmission cooling and to help A/C performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain. The speed control may turn off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less effective.
• If your transmission is equipped with a Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, use this feature when towing. This provides engine braking and helps eliminate excessive transmission shifting for optimum fuel economy and transmission cooling.
• If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTrac with RSC, this system may turn on during typical cornering maneuvers with a heavily loaded trailer. This is normal. Turning the corner at a slower speed while towing may reduce this tendency.
• If you are towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly conditions, at the gross combined weight rating (or any combination of these factors), consider refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lubricant (if the axle is not already filled with it). See Capacities and Specifications (page 417).
• Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
• Avoid parking on a grade. However, if you must park on a grade: 1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from traffic flow. 2. Set your vehicle parking brake. 3. Place the automatic transmission in park (P). 4. Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels. Chocks are not included with your vehicle. Your vehicle may be equipped with a temporary or conventional spare tire. A temporary spare tire is different in diameter or width, tread-type, or is from a different manufacturer than the road tires on your vehicle. Consult information on the tire label or Safety Compliance label for limitations when using.

You'll also want to setup the trailer properly, which is also covered in the manual.

 

On downhills, with or without a trailer, I often lockout upper gears to use engine braking. Another thing I found is that cruise control will downshift at 5-10 mph above set speed to use engine braking to get near the set speed.

 

Amazing towing technology on these trucks...

 

I have found that Tow/Haul mode does a pretty good job. I especially like how it downshifts on downgrades to help hold speed. I usually just set it and forget it.

 

Tow/Haul will hold gears longer before upshifting, will downshift earlier, and will downshift even earlier to provide engine braking.

Locking out gears permits you to run at a higher rpm at your top speed than Tow/Haul will command, reducing transmission heat by limiting clutch engagements, and reducing boost, which lowers engine temperature and saves fuel.

 

I always use Tow/Haul mode when towing and it works great. I do not like leaving it in drive however, when using cruise control in hilly terrain, as the downshifts are abrupt and multiple gears. I put it in manual and pay attention to the speedometer. If it starts losing speed going up an incline, I manually downshift one gear using the buttons. If it continues to decelerate, I bump it another and so on. In drive it also tends to hold the lower gear well beyond cresting the hill, or at least to me it seems like longer than necessary. Once I get back on level ground, I bump it back into drive. It makes you a lot more active driver, but I enjoy driving so that is okay with me. If you want to relax more, just keep it in drive. My truck is a 5.0L, so a 3.5L may have different transmission programming as they don't need the RPM the V8s do.

 

tow/haul mode and lock out 9th and 10th.

Even if your truck has enough power to hold 9th or 10th, the mileage will be worse.

 

This is a great example of a few things. First, paying attention to what's going on and reacting to it. Second, the fact that the Ecoboost is different than the 5 liter. Third, that people can do things differently and get the same result. Instead of going into manual, locking out the gear pushes the truck into that lower gear and prevents it from upshifting. There is no reason to go into manual.

Lastly, the truck can't tell that the road is about to start a big climb (well, maybe the 2021s will be able to), but the human being can. As I go down an incline, and see another incline coming, I'll step on the gas slightly, overriding the cruise, to get some momentum going for the climb, which allows the truck to have to less "flooring" during the climb.

To each their own.

 

Another benefit to lightly increasing throttle preceding an incline is improved gas mileage. It takes less gas to slowly increase speed 3-5mph right before an incline than to goose it once you're on it to maintain speed. Even better when you're in rolling terrain and can take advantage of the previous decline to bump the mph as you roll off it and quickly transition to the next incline.