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03-08-2017, 02:30 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: challenger 36 TL
State: Illinois
Posts: 18
THOR #6705
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Ford 6 speed torqshift tranny
Hello everybody , newby here from Illinois. Have a question about the 2017 6 speed tranny. I have read that to down shift it takes just a tap of the brake. I was just wondering if this is the case or not ? It would be great for going down steep or long grades. One other thing does it work the same way if u are in over drive. Just wondering if anyone has the new 6 speed and has any experience with this ?
Thanks !
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03-08-2017, 04:42 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: S.O.B.
State: California
Posts: 1,368
THOR #3483
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dodgeramtough
Hello everybody , newby here from Illinois. Have a question about the 2017 6 speed tranny. I have read that to down shift it takes just a tap of the brake. I was just wondering if this is the case or not ? It would be great for going down steep or long grades. One other thing does it work the same way if u are in over drive. Just wondering if anyone has the new 6 speed and has any experience with this ?
Thanks !
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Yes, when you engage the "tow/haul" button on the end of the gear selector. Going downhill, you just briefly tap on the brake and it will take it to the next lower gear. I have used it several times and I really appreciate not having to ride the brakes.
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03-08-2017, 05:27 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: challenger 36 TL
State: Illinois
Posts: 18
THOR #6705
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Thank you Earl ! New to this, very first time with a motorhome. I really appreciate
your input. Sincerely; Robert
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03-08-2017, 11:33 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
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Some of the 2016 Ford chassis will not downshift properly in the tow/haul mode, I know because I have one. There is a tech service bulletin from Ford, you can go to a dealer and have the ECU reflashed to fix the problem, takes about 20 min to do. I mention this just in case your coach doesn't downshift like it should.
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03-08-2017, 12:57 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Florida
Posts: 613
THOR #4366
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperD
Some of the 2016 Ford chassis will not downshift properly in the tow/haul mode, I know because I have one. There is a tech service bulletin from Ford, you can go to a dealer and have the ECU reflashed to fix the problem, takes about 20 min to do. I mention this just in case your coach doesn't downshift like it should.
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Good to know, ours doesn't seem to shift right; to quick to down shift and takes forever to up shift in hilly terrain.
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2016 Axis 24.1 E-450 6 spd tranny
300 watts portable solar.
200 watts solar on the roof.
Wrangler JK dinghy
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03-08-2017, 05:05 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Oregon
Posts: 911
THOR #2271
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You should know that this trick works on the older 5-speed (E-350) coaches also.
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03-08-2017, 05:19 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Nexus Viper 27V
State: Georgia
Posts: 1,666
THOR #2142
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gbrown,
Nice to know about the 5-speed. Does the "quit tap to downshift" only occur when in tow/haul mode?
Doc
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Sheree & Michael NCNG LTC(ret) with Munpi, RC and Sheba (cat).
2019 Nexus Viper 27V, E-450, 5 speed "Ms. Enterprise", Infotainment Center, HUD, , Safe-T-Plus, Curt SpareTire Mount, ext. WiFi Antenna, Roadmaster Tow Sys& Invisibrake.
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03-08-2017, 05:24 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Oregon
Posts: 911
THOR #2271
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Doc,
Yup!
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03-08-2017, 05:35 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
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What would be the point of upshifting sooner if the engine couldn't hold a taller gear on an uphill? Or if engine could barely hold next gear but running under such high torque load that it would burn more fuel and reduce engine life?
We need to remember that motorhomes, even smaller ones, are not cars or SUVs, and that their power to weight ratio is much lower. For that reason they often have to hold a much lower gear on uphills compared to what we see out of our cars/SUVs.
The Ford V10, like most engines that are not inherently balanced and also have a long piston stroke, doesn't particularly like to rev, but that's where the power comes from. It's a necessary evil if wanting to drive uphills a little faster.
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03-08-2017, 05:58 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Travato
State: Florida
Posts: 2,475
THOR #1765
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Much better plan to "anticipate the hill" by speeding up a little before you get to it and then let your speed bleed off as you climb. Better gas mileage and noise levels.
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03-08-2017, 07:09 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Nexus Viper 27V
State: Georgia
Posts: 1,666
THOR #2142
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Oneil,
To avoid the downshift when going uphill I agree on the anticipation factor when approaching a long uphill.
Last year I was looking at the 5Star tune-up I believe you had a term...an educated foot and so far the educated foot has worked out well enough for me here in NC mountains (no 5Star tune-up yet).
Doc
__________________
Sheree & Michael NCNG LTC(ret) with Munpi, RC and Sheba (cat).
2019 Nexus Viper 27V, E-450, 5 speed "Ms. Enterprise", Infotainment Center, HUD, , Safe-T-Plus, Curt SpareTire Mount, ext. WiFi Antenna, Roadmaster Tow Sys& Invisibrake.
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03-08-2017, 08:16 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: DRV
State: Texas
Posts: 678
THOR #3109
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The TowHaul feature on the TorqueShift transmissions is basically a shift-pattern changer--holds each gear longer when accelerating and will downshift with a tap of the brake when going downhill. For information purposes--the downshift feature keeps the torque converter locked up for engine braking purposes going downhill.
You should experiment with this feature to get used to it behavior--for instance, when in TH and going thru the gears--click it off and you should get an immediate upshift, this will negate the longer time in a gear if you aren't going uphill. Also, when going downhill, the trans is programmed to downshift when it senses you are gaining speed and the accelerator pedal is not in use. If speed gain continues, a tap on the brake will initiate another downshift. Again, experiment to get used to what to expect--sometimes the downshift will raise the rpms to a 'scream' level and scare the dickens out of you, but the trans/engine is programmed not to exceed a certain rpm level.
Another experiment in TH mode--use it in town and coast up to a stoplight--it should downshift one or two times and you will feel it. Without the TH, the torque converter unlocks when no pedal input is noted to help with coasting and gas mileage.
Some people use TH all the time; others like myself, only use it in hilly or mountainous terrain. It has no effect on steady flat-terrain driving, except that if in use and you step on the accelerator, it will probably downshift where it would not have w/o TH being on.
Diesels and gas vehicles are different in how noticeable the effect is, but it works the same in both.
Not sure about the later models, but in the 6.4/6.0 engines, it is NOT an engine brake.
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03-08-2017, 09:19 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Travato
State: Florida
Posts: 2,475
THOR #1765
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I agree Doc. I drove 6000 miles this summer from Florida all over Colorado and New Mexico and had no issues with hills - up or down. On wingnut60's comment, in the 6.7L in the Vegas/Axis the TH certainly acts as an engine break. That is what I primarily (exclusively?) use it for - going downhill.
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03-08-2017, 10:41 PM
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#14
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oneilkeys
On wingnut60's comment, in the 6.7L in the Vegas/Axis the TH certainly acts as an engine break. That is what I primarily (exclusively?) use it for - going downhill.
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The Axis/Vegas has the 6.8L V-10. Wingnut60's comment about 6.0/6.7L referred to Ford's Powerstroke Diesel engines and that the trans downshifting isn't the same as a Diesel exhaust brake.
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03-09-2017, 12:52 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Travato
State: Florida
Posts: 2,475
THOR #1765
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek
The Axis/Vegas has the 6.8L V-10. Wingnut60's comment about 6.0/6.7L referred to Ford's Powerstroke Diesel engines and that the trans downshifting isn't the same as a Diesel exhaust brake.
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Sorry Jamie.. fat finger on my iPhone... meant 6.8L. Wingnut60 references 6.0 and 6.4 engines but as far as I know in gas engines Ford only makes the 6.2L for trucks in V-8 engines over 6.0L. It also makes a 6.7L but it is diesel.
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03-09-2017, 02:08 AM
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#16
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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Right I was just addressing this part of his comment:
Quote:
Originally Posted by wingnut60
Not sure about the later models, but in the 6.4/6.0 engines, it is NOT an engine brake.
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Both 6.4 and 6.0 are Ford's Powerstroke Diesel engines (the 6.0L is the first Ford designed Diesel as the 7.3L before it was a Navistar engine).
I believe he was referring to the common practice of putting an exhaust brake on a Diesel (which makes a heck of a racket when in use).
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03-09-2017, 02:40 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 26B
State: Indiana
Posts: 389
THOR #6414
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek
I believe he was referring to the common practice of putting an exhaust brake on a Diesel (which makes a heck of a racket when in use).
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The old diesel exhaust brakes were noisy but my 2012 is nearly silent.
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Roger, Dawn, and Roxie
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03-11-2017, 04:25 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 27K
State: Kentucky
Posts: 881
THOR #2817
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest
Good to know, ours doesn't seem to shift right; to quick to down shift and takes forever to up shift in hilly terrain.
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I understand your point about taking forever to up shift in hilly terrain. It took me a while to almost get use to the high revs when upshifting, either on level ground out of TH and especially on hills in TH. On level ground when not in TH mode, I sometimes release the throttle to force the transmission to upshift. Having experience driving a standard transmission, I would like the V-10 engine to upshift sooner.
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03-13-2017, 12:27 AM
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#19
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37YT
State: Georgia
Posts: 56
THOR #6681
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Metalman
I understand your point about taking forever to up shift in hilly terrain. It took me a while to almost get use to the high revs when upshifting, either on level ground out of TH and especially on hills in TH. On level ground when not in TH mode, I sometimes release the throttle to force the transmission to upshift. Having experience driving a standard transmission, I would like the V-10 engine to upshift sooner.
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Just get a 5 star tuning. It will solve transmission problem and better power.
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