Using tow/haul mode with lighter campers

[CreekRob]

Many truck have a tow/haul mode that basically shifts shift (heh) points, and depending on the vehicle, engine, and tranny does other stuff to optimize for towing and hauling. With some trucks one can set up such a mode with some OBD magic.

On my previous trucks I generally didn't use it much, if at all. They were 4x4's and often when I needed more oomph I was in low range or going slow enough that manually setting the gear worked.

But with ligher campers like the FWC, etc, and with modern trannies up to 10 gears, do people use it on the regular?

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I use tow haul a lot, with or without camper/trailer. Being able to brake on a downhill, and have the truck also downshift is a plus for speed control. I don’t use it going uphill without a load.

 

[CPT Davenport]

I use mine a lot with my 1/2 ton Chevy and loaded Hawk. I engage it when climbing or descending long hills. In stop and go traffic around town with hills, I use tow/haul and low gears to get going. Once up to speed and on long, flat straight aways, I disengage the tow/haul. 4wd is only engaged when conditions get technical, in mud/sand or when launching the boat. With the tow/haul engaged, the truck automatically finds the right gearing and keeps the RPMs where they should be. Also helps quite a bit slowing the truck on down hill and saves me from riding the brakes.

 

[Jon R]

My loaded Grandby weighs less than 50% of the rated payload on my 2021 GMC 3500hd gas truck. I find the tow/haul mode is serious overkill both accelerating and descending hills for that load. I don’t use it. Every once in a while in a long steep highway descent I’ll use the “L” transmission setting so I can set the top gear to something less than 6th - typically 4th.

 

[rubberlegs]

Our truck has that feature, which I tried the first few times driving. But I completely forgot it exists! I couldn't really tell any difference at the speeds I drive... (slowly). I'd rather have good gas mileage than power. I figure the designers know the best RPM for typical situations.

 

[Vic Harder]

never use it, but do use the exhaust brake and manually shift the auto on steep (8% or more) hills.

 

[CPT Davenport]

Many truck have a tow/haul mode that basically shifts shift (heh) points, and depending on the vehicle, engine, and tranny does other stuff to optimize for towing and hauling. With some trucks one can set up such a mode with some OBD magic.

On my previous trucks I generally didn't use it much, if at all. They were 4x4's and often when I needed more oomph I was in low range or going slow enough that manually setting the gear worked.

But with ligher campers like the FWC, etc, and with modern trannies up to 10 gears, do people use it on the regular?

What is the truck you are currently running?
1/2, 3/4 or 1 ton?
Gas or Diesel?

What is your camper load and how close to GVWR are you?

It sounds like with the heavy duty trucks, the feature is not as needed or utilized with a light camper.

 

[CreekRob]

What is the truck you are currently running?
1/2, 3/4 or 1 ton?
Gas or Diesel?

What is your camper load and how close to GVWR are you?

It sounds like with the heavy duty trucks, the feature is not as needed or utilized with a light camper.

Ram 2500 4x4 gasser. I don't have a Hawk but have one on order. In my previous trucks with various loads and campers the feature was OK, not great. I tend to agree that with the bigger trucks it probably has even less utility. But now that engines can shut off cylinders, etc, it might have more of a fuel consumption consequence than what I was used to back in the day.

 

[CPT Davenport]

Ram 2500 4x4 gasser. I don't have a Hawk but have one on order. In my previous trucks with various loads and campers the feature was OK, not great. I tend to agree that with the bigger trucks it probably has even less utility. But now that engines can shut off cylinders, etc, it might have more of a fuel consumption consequence than what I was used to back in the day.

That will be a very capable set up. You will just need to test out the T/H feature when your camper gets mounted to see if you feel any benefits. My 5.3L V-8 has direct fuel injection and cylinder deactivation. No matter what, the best MPG I see is 16.

 

[craig333]

Handy at times but I could live without it. Sometimes I even forget its there.

 

[pvstoy]

We have a 2012 dodge 2500 crewcab gasser with flatbed hawk. Seems the benefit is when on cruise control at speed going up rolling hills the engine drops rpm and speed that a much lower gear is selected with way too much throttle to try to bring the set speed back.

At the bottom of a hill that I think the cruise can't handle I press the tow haul button, kicks down a gear, raises the rpm a bit a runs the hill just fine.

To note I can press to engage and then press to release. The setting will stay engaged until the top or load is not needed any more.

Have not noticed any other advance. For downhill doesn't seem to kick in to help slow down.

 

[JaSAn]

I use tow/haul when I feel the transmission shifting a lot, trying to find the right gear. Or when, from experience, I know the transmission is going to start trying to find the right gear.

2012 Ram 2500 + Grandby: about 8000 lbs loaded.

 

[Outnabout]

I use tow/haul on steeper hills so the transmission doesn’t keep looking. On steep downhills I also use it in conjunction with the exhaust brake. I have a Ram with the Grandby.

 

[Sleddog]

I use it regularly with my 2010 Tundra. Most of my driving is up and down mountain passes, I like the shift pattern going up hill and the braking/downshifting it provides going down hill. I will turn it off for long, flat stretches to help with gas mileage.

 

[Taku]

2021 Tundra with ATC Cougar camper. i use the tow/haul on long grades over passes, but that is really about it. it certainly does help with the power for pulling a long grade.