Tow/Haul Mode

[rrogersgsp]

I used the tow /haul mode today towing my 21' bassboat. Just a quick question. When I was going down a very windy road on a steep grade I would tap the brake to get to 3rd gear the truck still is going to fast getting to the next corner so I tap the brake again to get it to 2nd gear and it seems to be a huge difference between gears. It revs to up to 3000 rpm. Is this normal and is it ok to rev up to 3000 rpm? My truck is a F350 cc FX4 sb. My 04 didn't do this. I did have 3:73's on that truck, 3:55 on this one.

[Young-SC-Owner]

yep sounds normal! you shouldnt need to use TH with a 21'

[rrogersgsp]

Thanks for the quick reply. I was thinking I didn't need it, seems the boat doesn't weigh enough to use it. Next time out I'll try not using it. I used it because of how windy and narrow this road is and it has some steep grades.

[WildStyle]

Just use the manual button on the shifter to down shift and hold a gear to help maintain a constant speed.

[Bopper]

also if your not using tow haul i believe it will really run away from you on a downhill... as far as i know the exhaust brake only works in tow/haul... man i sure wish it was more aggressive

[Lrdchaos]

Exhaust brake only works in tow haul mode. 3000 rpm is where the brake really starts to get power, it will rev to around 3200 then hold the truck at that speed. What you are describing is perfectly normal.

[350ninty7]

Agree that 3000 - 3200 rpm is where you really feel the difference. My first experience was last weekend with applying the Tow / Haul setting coming off a 6% grade with my 36 ft 5TH Wheel and the turns that required braking. wow it stepped down to 3rd gear and shot the rpm up to 3000 and that's all that was needed to come off the grade without additional braking. My 21 jet boat weighs around 5500 and I don't use Tow / Haul but in some cases I use manual shifting, both are very nice features for towing.

[JSolve]

I'm so glad this thread has appeared as I've been pondering this. I will be coming down a windy 5 mile 12-24% grade (Old Priest Grade in CA) next month. Not pulling anything but what I'm hearing is that I should use the manual button on the shifter to down shift (probably to 3rd) to hold a gear AND to use Tow-Haul mode to get some exhaust braking. Is that about right?

[Painted Horse]

I've come off a 12% grade towing my trailers. It's a 25 mph speed limit. So I lock it in 1st gear and it's hold my truck and 10,000lbs trailer at 20 mph down the grade with no brake pedal.

I've frequently come off 7-8% with the same loads and 40 mph curves and 2nd gear works well for that speed. I usually just set the cruise to 40 mph and let the computer decide what gears.

I've come down Parleys Canyon on I-15 which has some 7% grades in the upper section of that 20 mile downhill. Again set the cruise at 50 mph and let the computer do it's thing. Usually 3rd gear at 55-60 mph.

All of these are 3000-3200 rpm

[Lrdchaos]

Originally Posted by JSolve

I'm so glad this thread has appeared as I've been pondering this. I will be coming down a windy 5 mile 12-24% grade (Old Priest Grade in CA) next month. Not pulling anything but what I'm hearing is that I should use the manual button on the shifter to down shift (probably to 3rd) to hold a gear AND to use Tow-Haul mode to get some exhaust braking. Is that about right?

Or like painted horse said just set the cruise and let the truck do it's thing. I used th coming down pikes peak, brakes were nice and cool at the check station.