Tow/Haul...

[atasteofnature]

I have always been told when towing or hauling anything I should push the button. My brother-in-law told me the other day that he has been told that it kicks on automaticly. Please help me figure the right answer. Thank you.

[TPLawnPro]

What kind of truck to you have??????

[atasteofnature]

we both have chevy 2500. Mine is a 2000 and his is a 2004 HD

[corey4671]

gotta hit the button...not automatic...I really don't notice much of a difference myself.

[atasteofnature]

I have heard others say just to hit the button when it is a big load and not just a simple little load. I just have heard it helps not to burn your tranny out. I also didn't want to use it and burn gas up if I don't have to. I don't know.

[corey4671]

You can click the link in my signature and see what I am towing...I rarely use the tow haul mode.

[atasteofnature]

nice setup.

[TPLawnPro]

I live in good ole flat South Louisiana. When my trailer is unloaded, I don't bother engaging the Tow/Haul mode. However, when I've got a couple of mowers loaded up with all of the other usual equipment, along with several fuel cans, I go ahead and engage Tow/Haul. It does a couple of things for me; first of all, when I am towing a heavy load, Tow/Haul mode ON takes a lot of strain off the transmission by allowing the engine to capitalize by holding onto the lower gears - further expanding the range of each gear, which in turn keeps the the transmission from having to hunt gears the entire time your towing. The result, less wear and tear on the tranny.

The greatest advantage of Tow/Haul for me, is its ability to apply engine braking during down-shifting and normal braking, which helps the truck slow down much more effectively in conjunction with the trailer's brakes, plus with a turbo-diesel, it really sounds cool!

:weightlifter:

[atasteofnature]

Thanx TP! I do about the same as well. I can feel that lower pull. Thank you guys for all your knowledge.

[TPLawnPro]

Thanx TP! I do about the same as well. I can feel that lower pull. Thank you guys for all your knowledge.

Glad I could help. Have yourself a great weekend!

[lawnman_scott]

A transmission will be in the neighborhood of $1500-2000. Hit the buttonl.

[DLAWNS]

I live in good ole flat South Louisiana. When my trailer is unloaded, I don't bother engaging the Tow/Haul mode. However, when I've got a couple of mowers loaded up with all of the other usual equipment, along with several fuel cans, I go ahead and engage Tow/Haul. It does a couple of things for me; first of all, when I am towing a heavy load, Tow/Haul mode ON takes a lot of strain off the transmission by allowing the engine to capitalize by holding onto the lower gears - further expanding the range of each gear, which in turn keeps the the transmission from having to hunt gears the entire time your towing. The result, less wear and tear on the tranny.

The greatest advantage of Tow/Haul for me, is its ability to apply engine braking during down-shifting and normal braking, which helps the truck slow down much more effectively in conjunction with the trailer's brakes, plus with a turbo-diesel, it really sounds cool!
:weightlifter:

Ummm....you covered everything. I couldn't have said it better myself.

[atasteofnature]

Once again, thank you thank you thank you guys for all the input. It helps me out so much. Thank you lawnsite.com for having a website like this to come to.

[jtruck618]

TPLawnPro pretty much has it right. Hit the button so the tranny will not work so hard but holding shifts a little bit longer. Once you get up to cruising speed, your RPM's will drop down like the tow/haul is not even on. I have a Dodge Hemi with the MDS so when I hit the Tow/Haul button it turns the MDS off. So, when I pull my 16ft trailer empty, I still hit the button usually. But if Im pulling something, I always use it. They are great to have and a big reason I did not buy an F150.

[Lawn-Sharks]

I don't know about Chevrolet's but from what i read from my ford Manuel for my 05' PSD FX4 was that tow/haul mode makes the transmission hold each gear longer so the truck doesn't struggle going in to the next gear plus also acting like a engine brake when you are slowing down. Basically stopping it from going into the next gear to soon and causing extra stress to the transmission and engine & brakes.....

P.S. i didn't read all of the reply so if some one answered it...sorry for the repost.

[VisionsLandscapes]

i have a 2002 2500 HD. I NEVER EVER WILL use the tow haul button unless I have a FULL loaded of mulch on my 16x6 trailer. theres no need for it really. the only time i use it is when i pull my 28' box trailer and racecars in it then it helps out alot! if your not hauyling more than 4,500 lbs there no use to hit the button

[RedSox4Life]

Straight from the GM manuel:

"Tow/haul is designed to be most effective when the vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least 75% of the vehicle's Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)".......... "Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly loaded or with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However, there is no benefit to the selection of tow/haul when the vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded may result in unpleasant engine and transmission driving characteristics and reduced fuel economy. Tow/haul is recommended only when pulling a heavy trailer or large load."

[atasteofnature]

Thank you guys. That is very helpful. I have been out of work for about a week with a trip to the ER with my blood pressure, so my truck has been just sitting. Now that I am ready to get back into tomorrow then I will now know the proper procedure to use my tow/haul button. Thank you all once again and have a great weekend.

[justanotherlawnguy]

5k or more and I hit the button....

Only time I use tow/haul is when I haul sod or a couple of pallets of mulch in the dump trailer.

[DuallyVette]

I live in good ole flat South Louisiana. When my trailer is unloaded, I don't bother engaging the Tow/Haul mode. However, when I've got a couple of mowers loaded up with all of the other usual equipment, along with several fuel cans, I go ahead and engage Tow/Haul. It does a couple of things for me; first of all, when I am towing a heavy load, Tow/Haul mode ON takes a lot of strain off the transmission by allowing the engine to capitalize by holding onto the lower gears - further expanding the range of each gear, which in turn keeps the the transmission from having to hunt gears the entire time your towing. The result, less wear and tear on the tranny.

The greatest advantage of Tow/Haul for me, is its ability to apply engine braking during down-shifting and normal braking, which helps the truck slow down much more effectively in conjunction with the trailer's brakes, plus with a turbo-diesel, it really sounds cool!
//
:weightlifter:


Good assessment. I love my tow/haul button.

[nosparkplugs]

If your automatic transmission has a tow/haul button use it!!! Always when towing or hauling heavy loads. Just cauz you don't feel her doing something crazy, all is ok. Two/haul is Kinda like anti-lock brakes for the transmission world

The tow/haul button gets confused with a (O/D) overdrive button. on older Dodge & GM transmissions. Back in the day, if towing, and you did not take the transmission out of OD you would burn up the OD drum/section in the tranny. Once you trashed the stock transmission(slushbox) we would just rebuild the tranny heavy duty then you could tow in OD all day long. In short GM corrected the problem with a OEM Tow/haul mode, and all is good. You can still burn your transmission up using tow/haul mode if your tranny temp gets above 220.

if you don't already have a stock trans temp gauge, and do any serious towing I would invest in one, along with Synthetic ATF. Change your transmission fluid every 30,000 miles conventional ATF, or 60,000 with synthetic ATF (heavy towing).

[atasteofnature]

thank you all for the help. i do know a few who would use the o/d button as a tow haul and had to correct them a few times. once again thank you all and have a great weekend.

[NEW CITY LAWN CARE LLC]

I have an 05 Dodge Ram, and when towing and I hit the button I get about 500 or so RPM higher on the Tac., so I guess it does help pull the load.

[STIHL GUY]

i use it with my trailer when its loaded and we use it with the boat. on the ranger you have to push a button for it to work but i cant really tell a diffrence