Tow/haul vs manual mode

[tpagolfnut]

I have just been using tow/haul drive mode but was wondering if when driving in the mountains I should also use manual transmission mode. What combination do you use? New to expeditions and not sure.

 

[JasonH]

Tow haul should work fine, but lock out the top gears.

 

[klaus2014]

+1 to what @JasonH said. I turn on tow/haul and lock out 5 & 6 on my '17 (I stay below 60mph while towing). At 55mph the RPMs stay around 2200 which gives ample flow for the coolant, oil, and transmission pumps to cool things down. Haven't had any overheating issues towing our 30ft camper through the western mountain ranges during the summers.

 

[Randy Bassett]

Tow haul should work fine, but lock out the top gears.

I don't bother to lock out the top gears. Taking my foot off the accelerator, as in when starting down a hill, automatically causes it to downshift.

 

[chuck s]

What Randy just wrote. I run Tow/Haul even in non-tow driving in the eastern mountains as "Taking my foot off the accelerator, as in when starting down a hill, automatically causes it to downshift" just as if my trailer was on the back. Cruise control functions similarly and keeps the speed even downgrade.

The transmission works just fine in Tow/Haul. If I remember. Works just fine in normal mode when steep downgrades usually remind me to squeeze the button. No reason to ever lock out the higher gears for any reason I've experienced but there must be some or the feature wouldn't be offered.

-- Chuck

 

[JasonH]

I don't bother to lock out the top gears. Taking my foot off the accelerator, as in when starting down a hill, automatically causes it to downshift.

Locking out the top gears reduces boost. Helps reduce issues with the engine running too hot by increasing RPM and using the gears instead of boost. I think too much towing in top gear warped my manifold.

 

[chuck s]

First time I've heard of this. Any more I can read on this?

-- Chuck

 

[Calidad]

Umm boost is tied to rpm. Locking out gears would increase rpm vs up shift.

Locking out gears keeps drivers from driving to fast

 

[JasonH]

Umm boost is tied to rpm. Locking out gears would increase rpm vs up shift.

Locking out gears keeps drivers from driving to fast

Not entirely correct. Run the engine at 4k going downhill and see how much manifold pressure the engine is generating. The answer is probably close to zero because it doesn't need any to maintain speed going downhill. RPM and boost aren't fixed like RPM and speed in a specific gear. When you use a lower gear, the engine actually sees less load, so it doesn't drive the turbos as hard despite operating at higher RPM. If you hook up an OBD monitor you can see the relationship. The turbos actually generate less manifold pressure in lower gears to maintain highway speeds.

 

[JasonH]

First time I've heard of this. Any more I can read on this?

-- Chuck

It's been covered ad nauseum on the F150 forums. Comes up frequently for years now.

Overheating while towing - Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans

Towing/ Hauling/ Plowing - Overheating while towing - I have a 2012 eco boost and while pulling a 32 travel trailer (7,000lbs) my truck over heats. So pulling on flat ground no problem. I love the power that the truck has. When pulling a 6% grade for 3 miles at 45mph my truck reached 250...

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Engine Overheat While Towing - Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans

2011+ Engine Related Questions - Engine Overheat While Towing - Hey guys. Its been a while since I have posted. My 2012 eco has 62k on it. Max tow w/3.73s This last weekend I was towing an 8k lb trailer at 70 mph. It was approx 85deg out. 3500' elevation. I was cruising up a small hill when my...

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I’ve warped my manifolds. Replace with stock or upgrade?

www.f150ecoboost.net

High Engine Temperature While Towing

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Overheating while towing ideas

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[chuck s]

Thanks, I'll check out the links.

-- Chuck

 

[GlennSullivan]

I have a 2017 6 speed that I tow 6500lbs about 1200+ miles a 4 times a year. I found that the Tow / Haul mode downshifts the trans on all hill descents using the engine as a brake, which revs the engine quite high which I personally don't think this is good. I prefer to set the trailer brakes higher when in hilly areas to accomplish the same thing. I stay out of Tow Haul mode and lock out 6th gear in this type of terrain. I find that this provides better mileage (less boost) even though the engine rpm is slightly higher.

 

[dragosa]

How do you lock out gears on a 3rd gen with an 6r80? I see D, 3, 2, 1

 

[JasonH]

How do you lock out gears on a 3rd gen with an 6r80? I see D, 3, 2, 1

Press the down button on the gearshift level. First one shows the gears on the display. Subsequent presses will lock out gears sequentially. Press up to reverse.

 

[chuck s]

There's a up/down toggle button on the driver's side of the gear lever that controls how high the transmission will shift. (Page 160 of the 2017 Owner's Manual under Transmission.) Personally never seen any need to lock out any of the higher gears when towing my 6000 pound travel trailer with either my '07 or '17 but our mountains here are not Sierra-grade. I use Tow-Haul when I remember and often don't notice it.

-- Chuck

 

[dragosa]

Press the down button on the gearshift level. First one shows the gears on the display. Subsequent presses will lock out gears sequentially. Press up to reverse.

I have a column shifter. P R N D 3 2 1

 

[chuck s]

Tow/Haul button on the tip of the lever do anything (I can't recall)?

-- Chuck

 

[Calidad]

I have just been using tow/haul drive mode but was wondering if when driving in the mountains I should also use manual transmission mode. What combination do you use? New to expeditions and not sure.

I drive Tahoe and like the sport shifting vs tow haul when coming down the pass. Tow haul with nothing heavy is too aggressive slows me up too much. Sport mode down shifts but not as aggressively seems to be about ideal for the Tahoe 7400 ft pass and down hill run. Rarely have to brake.

Towing my boat however the tow haul mode down shifts coming off the highway etc really make a big difference. You get the right long off ramp and the down shifting snd exhaust sound actually gets close to giving the 3.5 some decent cred ha ha..

 

[dragosa]

Tow/Haul button on the tip of the lever do anything (I can't recall)?

-- Chuck

Yes tow haul on tip, disables od.

 

[GlennSullivan]

2017 Expy 6 Speed. If I'm pulling a light load (4700-5000) on fairly level terrain, I just let the trans do its thing. If I'm pulling a heavier load (6000- 6300) on slightly varied terrain, I will occasionally lock out 6th and it actually improves the mileage.

I've stopped using Tow Haul Mode in anything but flat terrain as it is programmed to use lower gears as an engine brake for hill descends, which I don't like. I manually select the desired gear while ascending a hill and use a higher trailer brake setting while descending.