Tow - haul lever? - Montana Owners Club

MNpat · 08-10-2006, 04:23 PM

Wonder if anyone uses the tow haul function when hauling. We were advised to, but I think it really eats the fuel up. What would happen if we don't use it? We were told it will burn the transmission fluid.

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`03 3295rk
Ford 250 Super Duty ( upgrading to a 350 or disel ASAP)

lawrenceb42106 · 08-10-2006, 04:33 PM

We use our all the time when we are pulling the trailer. I have notice the transmission run cooler.It is suppose to lock it up in the gears to prevent slipping. When i forget the trans temp is higher.

Larry & Roma
2001 3295RK Montana/3s
2001 3500 4X4 Chev Ext cab Duramax Dually
Hartselle,Alabama

Sunshine · 08-10-2006, 04:34 PM

We use the tow/haul feature in situations that would lug the engine and the truck would be pulling hard. We do not use it all the time.
On edit: We do not use it on level straight stretches; and it is used when descending grades. As was stated, lower gas mileage is preferable to replacing the transmission, brakes, etc.

Virgil and Karen
2000 3255RL
2006 F350 PSD 4x4

RonS · 08-10-2006, 05:05 PM

I use mine all the time when towing, I may take it out on occasion to help it shift faster, and then after it shifts I put it back into tow haul.

sreigle · 08-10-2006, 05:22 PM

I use it all the time, with exception of some city driving on flat terrain at lower speeds where it holds a gear longer than I want.

Keep in mind a little more fuel is a whole lot cheaper than a new transmission. I don't really see any noticeable mileage difference although I suppose there is some.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

mobilrvn · 08-10-2006, 06:04 PM

Gee, some engineer went to all the trouble to make your transmission and truck work better by designing the tow/haul feature and you don't want to use it, so don't. It's your truck. We use our when we are towing. The tranny learns the shift patterns and it works better for us, but are sort of anal about machinery rules.

MoBillTuxRex&Princess
Fulltiming since '93
'04 3575; '06 2500HD Duramax/Allison

MNpat · 08-10-2006, 09:22 PM

Thanks guys! We did get the`04 TURBO boosted,Diesal, Dodge RAM 3500, SO NOW HAVE PLENTY OF POWER

We are averaging near 10 miles a gallon. Is that ok? Sometimes the engine labors to get into gear. It seems as though it happens after idleing for awhile. We took it to the Dodge shop shortly after buying it & they couldn't find anything wrong with it other than burnt transmission fluid. The party that 1st had the truck put on 85K miles in two years!

Broome101 · 08-11-2006, 03:09 AM

We use the tow haul mode ever time I pull any type of trailer

Broome101
2005 F350 PSD,SRW,CC,LB, King Ranch, 4x4
2005 3685FL
http://www.picturetrail.com/broome101

Devildog · 08-11-2006, 07:14 AM

On GMC.Chevy, once you reach 60 mph, and are not under load (going uphill) the transmission will automatically shift into overdrive, even if you are in tow/haul. Tow/haul works to increase line pressures on the transmission, resulting in cooler transmission levels and better performance under load. Transmission does not keep upshifting and downshifting.
My early ford (97 model) had the same switch on it, and I used it religiously,even when pulling a pop up. On both my ford and gmc, when descending long steep grades without a load, I use tow/haul to help control speed.
GMC allison in tow/haul will use the grade braking, making it even better to control the load when descending a hill.
But still, your choice. Wave as you go by!

Jim, Angie and Anna the Wonder Retriever
2001 GMC Sierra 4X4, CC, D/A
Air Helper Springs, New Engine
2006 3295RK fitted with some of the improvements from valuable MOC owners!

rickety · 08-11-2006, 07:40 AM

I always use the Tow/haul mode when towing the Apartment. Makes for lower trans temps, easier shifts on grades, and helps on down grades. The Duramax/Allison combo is great!
I'm sure the Ford and Dodge systems work equally as well!

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Rick and Phyllis Trent,
2004 Chevrolet 2500HD/Duramax/Allison,exhaust brake.
2004 Monty 3280RL/slide toppers,sleep comfort bed. Full Timers since January 2006!
Gizmo the dog who thinks he's a Great Dane

Cat320 · 08-11-2006, 10:55 AM

What Devildog said.

sreigle · 08-11-2006, 01:26 PM

Sounds like the GM works the same way as the Ford. On my aftermarket gauges you can see the temperature difference in both the transmission and the engine temperature.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

dsprik · 08-12-2006, 04:34 PM

I used the tow haul except when trying to get it ot shift at 55. I tap out - it downshifts - I immediately tap TH back in. I love that D/A combo.

Dave and Cheryl Sprik
Bellaire, MI

2002 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Ext Cab, LB, SLE (w/ full power/elect options)
Reese 16K Hitch, Draw Tite Brake Controller (Activator II)
Full undercoating, Rhino Spray-In Liner
2007 3400RL
Venetian Gold Interior
2nd A/C, Fireplace, Dual Pane Windows, Central Vac
WE'RE HOME!

Don't EVER give up on your Dream.

indy roadrunner · 08-13-2006, 02:17 AM

I use the tow/haul for 2 reasons 1. Highly recommended by GMC and 2. Piece of mind. Well honestly there are some more reasons but somebody has already listed them so why bother. Lets see pennies more for fuel, hundreds of dollars more for transmission repair - nope easy decision for me.

Phill & Gladys
Sometimes me sits and thinks - sometimes me just sits.
06 GMC 2500HD Duramax 4x4
06 Montana 3400RL
Bichon - CEO

drhowell · 08-14-2006, 05:52 AM

I use the Tow Haul when I need the extra gearing. On flat road I turn it off and I use the cruise control. I turn it on when in the mountains going up hill but will turn it off near the bottom of a grade to shift up for the boost to the next hill and back on again as I need to shift down. When in tow haul mode going down hill and I reach a point where I need to add more throttle to maintain the speed (once you reach top end in T-H mode) I shut it off and pick up the next gear. I can get up to 12+ MPG with this method on I-5 North from CA to Roseburg and over to the Oregon coast. Lots of climbing and descending with few flat straight runs.

I do use the cruise control on major highways with long flat straight runs. I do not use it in hills or winding roads.

Farmer Don [MOC 3628]
Barbara & Fuzzy (the Bichon)
2001 3280RL
2004 Ford F250

Dave e Victoria · 08-14-2006, 06:51 AM

We use tow/haul and cruise almost all of the time. Only exception is to use the manual feature when in long, steep down hills. This a new feature on 06 allison trannys and I am still learning how to use it We had a lot of long 9 and 10 % grades through Atlantic Canada and this feature really came in handy.

Otherwiser, it goes in tow/haul whenever we are hooked up.

Dave and Victoria
Half Time Full Timers or is that just half full 0f it?-- whatever!

'06 GMC3500 DRW CC 4x4 Duramax/Allison Bubba Truck
Pulling Cambridge 358
Sharing with a Yorkie (Dude) and a Schipperke (Dharma)
Click here to read a detailed report on our Cambridge

Pete Hanson · 08-14-2006, 07:50 AM

I use the tow/haul feature whenever I feel the TV labor a little going up grades. I have a RAM 2500 Heavy Duty with the Diesel and I don't notice any major change in the mileage when I'm turning the feature on and off. I average 10 to 14 mpg when towing in New England depending on the wind and terrain.

sreigle · 08-14-2006, 09:22 AM

Pete, does the Dodge lock out overdrive (downshift in other words) when you turn on tow/haul? Someone told me it does. The Ford doesn't and I don't think GM does either. If the Dodge does, then that is something people reading this thread would need to consider when making their own tow/haul decision. Thanks.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

RLVoumard · 08-14-2006, 12:00 PM

How is everyone selecting GEARS ?? do you just stay in "D" or are you manually selecting 3,2 etc....

sreigle · 08-14-2006, 03:59 PM

I put it in drive (overdrive) and tow/haul and let the transmission make the decisions. I tried doing it manually but found the transmission is smarter than I am. But that's not saying much.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

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