TOW / HAUL USE - Diesel Forum

jaeice420 · 08-08-2006, 02:07 AM

I have a 06 F-250 6.0l Powerstroke i was wondering if using the tow / haul button increases the boost during full acceleration? Thank You.

barrelhorses · 08-08-2006, 06:02 AM

I don't think it increases boost. It just delays upshifts so that you stay in the lower gears longer so that you have more usable power to get up to speed. T/H also does not completely eliminate OD like some have suggested in the past. On mine, when in T/H mode the trans will not shift into OD until about 62 mph. So I guess for all towing at less than about 62 mph, OD is effectively eliminated.

I like the T/H mode, but I've found there are certain situations where I prefer to put it in regular mode. You'll just need to try it both ways and figure out what works best for you.

pajuis · 08-08-2006, 12:31 PM

I know it maintains your speed going downhill also which is a nice feature if you have a heavy load.

trx416ex2nv · 08-08-2006, 02:54 PM

hey thanks for answering a ???? i was going to post about it not eliminate the od... but heres one ???? you might answer how many gears does it have 4 with od or 5 with od...i could of swore i counted my truck shifting 5 times from a dead stop last night towing the trailer...

HoustonPerson · 08-08-2006, 03:03 PM

It does not change boost.

It changes (delays) the shift pattern - still all 5 gears (which by default includes OD).

It is a 5 speed tranny - the fact it is OD is not relevant, there is still the diff to go through.

IMHO, Tow/Haul is good for pulling the heavy stuff, like above 10,000 or 11,000 lbs........It is not needed for 8,500 or less, which is what I pull (big boat). Then again, I drive in Texas, if I was in really big hills or mountains, then I would use it.......especially for the additional breaking it provides going down steep mountains.

The shift patterns (programs) is something Ford actually got correct; both with and without tow/haul mode. Both work great for the intended purpose.

JimJoe · 08-08-2006, 03:09 PM

With Tow/Haul you can check your 6th gear. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Jim

Black05 · 08-08-2006, 04:32 PM

I have gotten 5 shifts out of the transmission both with and without tow/haul engaged.

barrelhorses · 08-08-2006, 05:32 PM

Five shifts from a dead stop. So six gears including OD. Everytime I actually pay attention to my truck shifting, regardless of whether its in T/H or regular mode, it seems to always have 5 shifts.

trx416ex2nv · 08-08-2006, 07:17 PM

ok just making sure i wasnt loosing my mind not like i already havent [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Casey_1 · 08-08-2006, 09:06 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Five shifts from a dead stop. So six gears including OD.

[/ QUOTE ]
No, five gears.

It shifts 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, and then the torque converter locks, which feels like another shift.

barrelhorses · 08-08-2006, 09:48 PM

I gotta disagree Casey. My RPMs also go down with all five shifts 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6. The 5 to 6 shift takes the RPMs from around 2200 or so (depending on how hard I'm pushing it) down to about 1800, again depending on how fast I'm moving. I don't think this can be explained as the converter locking up.

Nubbs · 08-09-2006, 12:42 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I gotta disagree Casey. My RPMs also go down with all five shifts 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6. The 5 to 6 shift takes the RPMs from around 2200 or so (depending on how hard I'm pushing it) down to about 1800, again depending on how fast I'm moving. I don't think this can be explained as the converter locking up.

[/ QUOTE ]

Barrel,
I can't say for sure since I'm not in your pickup with you, but I think you're describing the torque converter locking. Does it happen between 60-65 mph? I'm pretty sure the last "shift" is the torque converter locking.

Nubbs

JimJoe · 08-09-2006, 01:57 AM

Oops, it seems I started a debate. To clarify you have 6 gears but in normal operations only 5 are used. In tow/haul 5 gears are used also but different ones.

Here are the numbers (I copied it from your post, Casey):

1 3.11:1
2 2.21:1
3 1.54:1
4 1:1
5 0.71:1 (OD)

The tow/haul gear is 1.09:1 so very close to 1:1. Reverse is 2.88:1

Jim

barrelhorses · 08-09-2006, 06:10 AM

So the torque converter locking up will cause the engine RPMs to decrease by several hundred RPMs???? I'm picking the truck up from the dealer this morning. I'll try to take some notes regarding RPMs/MPH/Shift points etc at some point today so I can better describe what I think I'm experiencing.

Casey_1 · 08-09-2006, 07:40 AM

[ QUOTE ]
So the torque converter locking up will cause the engine RPMs to decrease by several hundred RPMs????

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes it will. That's what it was designed to do.