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Old 06-14-2018, 07:45 PM   #1
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Tow Haul button

I saw someone post about using the tow haul button going downhill. Can someone elaborate on this for me.

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Old 06-14-2018, 07:48 PM   #2
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From my limited experience with it:
If you engage the Tow/Haul Mode, and tap the brakes: the transmission will downshift a gear for you...
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Old 06-14-2018, 10:15 PM   #3
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Tow/Haul is designed to keep you from burning up your brakes by letting the engine/transmission do all of the work. It will downshift for you with a tap of the brakes and then the higher RPMs help slow you down.
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Old 06-14-2018, 10:25 PM   #4
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From what I've been able to figure out: the V-10 likes to rev a bit... and the computer management system won't let you downshift it to the point where you can hurt it.
I've got some hills around me, where I end up "tapping it down" two or three gears.
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Old 06-14-2018, 10:59 PM   #5
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Tow/haul increases the transmission clutches engagement pressure, making the shifts more rapid, thus decreasing trans temperature. It also reschedules the shifting parameters; this allowing the transmission to stay in a lower gear for longer. The computer (ECU) limited max RPM is 5,250 rpm for the Triton V-10. My coach will shift into sixth at 48 mph (1,450 rpm) with no load on the engine with the tow/haul off. With the tow/haul on, it will not shift into sixth until 68 mph (2,050 rpm). I limit my towing to about 60 mph so the trans never shifts into sixth. Normal shift schedule will allow the trans to down shift down to fifth and fifth to fourth with each application of the brakes if the coach is accelerating downhill foot off the accelerator. With the tow/haul engaged, the transmission will continue to downshift each time the brakes are depressed in the coach is still accelerating. When the computer detects that a requested downshift would over speed the engine, the trans will not downshift
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Old 10-03-2018, 06:44 PM   #6
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As a followup to this, I have a Thor Outlaw 37LS and cannot locate a tow/haul mode switch (not even listed in manual). Does this not exist on all models?

Also, does engaging cruise control help downshift when descending steep grades, or should it be disengaged and manually downshift?

Thanks!
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Old 10-03-2018, 07:17 PM   #7
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What year is your Outlaw?
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Old 10-03-2018, 08:39 PM   #8
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what year is your outlaw?
2014...
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Old 10-03-2018, 09:18 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffnBeth View Post
As a followup to this, I have a Thor Outlaw 37LS and cannot locate a tow/haul mode switch (not even listed in manual). Does this not exist on all models?

Also, does engaging cruise control help downshift when descending steep grades, or should it be disengaged and manually downshift?

Thanks!
Should be a button on the end of the gearshift.

And cruise control will downshift the coach to slow you down at 5 mph over the setpoint.
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Old 10-03-2018, 09:38 PM   #10
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I wasn't sure when they got it with that chassis...

But I figured that someone would know!
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Old 10-03-2018, 11:20 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by Tfryman View Post
Should be a button on the end of the gearshift.

And cruise control will downshift the coach to slow you down at 5 mph over the setpoint.
Yeah I bought a low miles used truck that was made in the age of Dinosaurs (2002) and it came with that button on the gearshift. Now I know what it used for vice using the 4 wheel high and low gearing. Glad the motorhome just has that button to use. Less work.
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Old 10-04-2018, 11:29 AM   #12
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Should be a button on the end of the gearshift.

And cruise control will downshift the coach to slow you down at 5 mph over the setpoint.
Thanks for the reply. So O/D (or over drive) is the the same as tow/haul mode? Excuse my ignorance here - but i've never had to really think about these things.
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Old 10-04-2018, 12:43 PM   #13
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Thanks for the reply. So O/D (or over drive) is the the same as tow/haul mode? Excuse my ignorance here - but i've never had to really think about these things.
No, Overdrive is simply a gearing that makes the transmission output shaft turn faster than the engine. i.e., greater than a 1:1 drive ratio. Older vehicles sometimes had a separate "Overdrive" gearbox controlled electrically.

In most modern vehicles the highest gear is normally an overdrive ratio; in a 5 speed that would be 5th gear.

Tow/haul changes the shift points and shift programming; it does not change the gear ratios.
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Old 09-20-2019, 04:00 PM   #14
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Is this of any use going uphill? Sorry to be so ignorant but not too knowledgeable about it
Thanks
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Old 09-20-2019, 04:13 PM   #15
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Going uphill?
Yup: it's good for that as well!
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Old 09-20-2019, 04:21 PM   #16
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Does it give you more power? Went up a 10% grade in the Tetons and oh my were we slow....������
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Old 09-20-2019, 04:42 PM   #17
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More power? No.
But it does help your transmission work easier; by keeping it in a lower gear.
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Old 09-20-2019, 04:48 PM   #18
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Like I said...ignorant. thanks
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Old 09-20-2019, 04:55 PM   #19
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Like I said...ignorant. thanks
We don't learn if we don't ask...
It alters the shift points to better use the available power. I use it in hilly areas especially when towing and often use it with cruise control.

Some do not like the downshift (on the 6 speed it will drop from 6th to 4th - both 5 and 6 are overdrive gears) - the engine will rev and be loud - but to me it does the job I need... maintaining speed both uphill and downhill.

Also when tow/haul is on - without cruise control - a quick tap of the brakes will also cause a downshift to slow you down.
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Old 09-20-2019, 04:56 PM   #20
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Thanks so much!
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