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Old 08-16-2015, 04:28 PM   #1
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THOR #2628
Ford Chassis question

How many of you drive with the Tow/haul button pushed while driving large class C (V10) or class A gas?

Local dealer told me to drive with it on to help with braking.

Thanks
KC

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Old 08-16-2015, 04:36 PM   #2
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I used to use it all the time in my 2003 class C ford F350 but the 2015 Thor Hurricane (F53) switch does not do anything. I used to use it on hills to drop a gear without having to kick down the engine - worked great! The Hurricane switch does not make any difference! I have to investigate this future!


I would not use it all the time as it acts like an overdrive - prevents your transmission from going to the highest/most fuel efficient gear. this will place strain on the transmission when cruising and also decrease your fuel economy. Use it for steep downgrades and going up hills!
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Old 08-16-2015, 06:33 PM   #3
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THOR #1469
I use tow/haul 100 percent of the time when I am towing. When not towing about 50 percent of the time on flat land and all the time in the mountains. On my F53 the tow haul works well on downshifts primarily going downhill. I tend to turn it off going uphill in the mountains. On my F53 chassis it functions the same as it did on my class c E450.
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Old 08-16-2015, 09:12 PM   #4
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Tow Haul Last 3 RV's

I use it for pulling steep grades, in town, and going thru towns. I have used it on all of my Class A RV's, and My trucks when pulling a travel trailer or fifth wheel. Especially in town or going down steep hills and grades. ON the flat I turn it off whether towing or not.
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Old 08-16-2015, 11:51 PM   #5
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On our E350 based Axis I don't use it much at all, even when towing a car.

When in haul it holds gears slightly longer and you can force it to downshift by tapping the brake for going downhill.

Something I've noticed our Axis and my wife's Escape does that older Fords don't: when the cruise is on and you're descending a hill the cruise will make the transmission downshift to hold speed.
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Old 08-17-2015, 02:17 PM   #6
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I don't use it regularly
I have often thought it's silly, as I'm flirting with GVWR, so I'm definitely hauling something!
I'm normally in flat lands
have tried it a couple times coming down large bridge approaches and it works well
I'd use it in the hills
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Old 08-17-2015, 02:27 PM   #7
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I use Tow/Haul in our Axis almost exclusively for going down long steep hills for engine braking. Get going to approximate speed you want to maintain and engage Tow/Haul. If you have to brake hard for a hairpin turn it will downshift and want to hold a lower speed after that. In that instance I usually turn off T/H allow speed to increase to desired level and reengage T/H, in essence, a reset to desired speed.

I prefer the normal shifting to Tow/Haul in almost every other situation. We do not normally tow.
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Old 08-17-2015, 02:31 PM   #8
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I use the tow/haul most of the time, but then I live in the mountains and also tow
my 4000K truck behind the MH.
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Old 08-17-2015, 03:11 PM   #9
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I use it all the time. Everything seems to work better.

I assume that the motorhome itself (Axis 24.1) far exceeds the normal weight of an E350 and it can't hurt.

Randy
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Old 08-17-2015, 04:17 PM   #10
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I use it 100% of the time. Like previously mentioned when using the cruise control, and going down hill, it does a good job of maintaining speed so the brakes don't need to be used as much.
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Old 08-17-2015, 04:24 PM   #11
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Just use it for up and down hills towing or not. Saves on the brakes down hill and better control uphill.
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Old 08-17-2015, 04:29 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrben
Like previously mentioned when using the cruise control, and going down hill, it does a good job of maintaining speed so the brakes don't need to be used as much.
My mention of cruise control downshifting when descending a hill is/was with tow/haul "off" (which is why it surprised me). My wife's Escape also does this and it doesn't have tow/haul at all.
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Old 08-17-2015, 07:32 PM   #13
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On flat land I virtually never use it.

I only use it on slight grades when the transmission seems to be hunting for gears, even when towing. I get better gas mileage without it on.

For obvious steeper grades I will turn it on, as it saves the brakes, as other have mentioned.

The feature really shines when you're going downhill on a significant grade while towing. The transmission will automatically downshift and help you maintain a safe speed without using your brakes.
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Old 08-17-2015, 08:01 PM   #14
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Thanks for all the great help!!!

KC
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