Towing selection

[RichRob]

On the shift on steering column, of my 2018 Vegas, there is a button to press for use when towing. I was told to use it when I purchased my RV, and I do.Whenever it is engaged and I am slowing down, going down or up a hill, the engine roars and RPMs increase higher than I would like. I prefer to keep my RPMs between 2000 and 3000. Is there any distinct advantage to using the towing selector? There have been times when I forget to engage it, and drive a distance with no problems.

[16ACE27]

The Tow/Haul mode engaged by the button you referenced changes the shift points in your transmission to help minimize hunting between gears, especially the highest gears. It also helps slow the RV down by downshifting the transmission when slowing down and you can force a downshift by tapping the brakes.

In practical use I don't engage my T/H mode unless I am decelerating. I find it holds the lower gears too long when accelerating (causing the high RPMs) and I never have any hunting while cruising. YMMV.

[JamieGeek]

You can safely drive with Tow/Haul disengaged. I almost always drive with it off--even when pulling a car.

When it is on; going down a hill you can tap the brake to cause the coach to downshift--which is why you see the RPM's jump. It also changes the shift points for more power.

[Lt Keefer]

I always drive with tow/haul engaged. I am always hauling the motorhome and sometimes towing the CR-V. I notice no difference in MPG and no difference in shift point or noise in the cab. The Ford V10 is noisey, end of discussion. I do like that the transmission assists in vehicle braking. I have also read somewhere that the tow/haul programming increases transmission life expectancy.

[Mr Sunshine]

A quick search will show you previous threads about the Tow/Haul switch. We tow a car, and I leave it off until we have a down grade where engine braking is needed. It really saves the brakes in those situations.

[MJC62]

The boys said it all.
Here’s us on level ground we don’t use it. Hills and mountains on all the time

[cavie]

If L am towing my trailer it is on. and the trans is in lock 5th gear of 6. Better gas mileage.

[RichRob]

I pretty much do what all of you have suggested. I drive with it on, but disengage when I have slowed down enough and now need to accelerate.

[Solanopete]

Advice I got and my experience towing a Jeep Wrangler on a car trailer makes me use the T/H setting. On one trip segment in the mountain west I forgot to engage the control and I ended up with a check engine light. The code was for transmission temp alarm so I am careful to use T/H in my new ACE as well. Although the engine will rev at times in steep downhill runs you can easily relieve it by some accelerator pressure. Two things scare me ... feeling unsafe on a down grade in an RV (speed, turns, crosswinds)
and crossing a harbor entrance in my boat with a heavy swell and an outgoing tide. Both situations are subject to operator control.

[Metalman]

I too use it rarely except when on steep downgrades. I don't like the way it forces the engine to rev so high, but according to the "experts" the V-10 is OK with revving. And I suspect that not using it when towing heavy loads could damage the transmission. Our GMC Vandura van manual recommends keeping the transmission out of overdrive (4th) when towing to save the transmission.

[Djfred]

I use tow haul when I am towing my Jeep.I dont use it if I am not towing.My mechanic says you should always use it when towing or risk damaging your transmission.It tows fine when not in that mode but I am following his advice.I also understand that the v10 can handle the high rpms,but I havent had a problem with that because I drive like an old guy that I am!

[Bill Barber]

I've had a total of 8 RV s, my present one and two others were Triton V-10 with tow/haul mode.
First of all, everyone is right, whatever your comfortable with in my opinion >> anyway
The first Triton we had was in a Born Free, learned all about the tow haul mode in the Smokey Mountains omg thought the thing was gonna blow up going down every slope, could not figure out at first why the tyranny instantly down shifted when I applied the brakes ... So...my meager piloting skills took over and the Mountains became less stressful if I simply turned it on and off as conditions required, btw, coasting downhill @ 82 mph is not recommended in a Born Free, just my opinion folks.

[Bob Denman]

We used to turns ours off and on as the conditions dictated as well...

[Phil Saran]

When I had my Thor Hurricane and towed a vehicle I always used the
Tow/Haul button.

I now (past 1-1/2 years) I tow a 34 foot Keystone Cougar 5th wheel
and tow with a Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 diesel and always use tow/haul.

[The Doghouse]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

The Tow/Haul mode engaged by the button you referenced changes the shift points in your transmission to help minimize hunting between gears, especially the highest gears. It also helps slow the RV down by downshifting the transmission when slowing down and you can force a downshift by tapping the brakes.

In practical use I don't engage my T/H mode unless I am decelerating. I find it holds the lower gears too long when accelerating (causing the high RPMs) and I never have any hunting while cruising. YMMV.

I have a 2020 Nexus Triumph 32T. I am native Fl. flatlander. When we hit the hills in north Ga. on goes the Th. Helps save the brakes on going down hills.

[Dilley Dilley]

Originally Posted by RichRob

On the shift on steering column, of my 2018 Vegas, there is a button to press for use when towing. I was told to use it when I purchased my RV, and I do.Whenever it is engaged and I am slowing down, going down or up a hill, the engine roars and RPMs increase higher than I would like. I prefer to keep my RPMs between 2000 and 3000. Is there any distinct advantage to using the towing selector? There have been times when I forget to engage it, and drive a distance with no problems.

I drive ours in Tow/Haul all the time. We don’t tow but it helps conserve the brakes when going down grades. Don’t let those higher rpm’s concern you. The higher rpm’s are better than frying your brakes. You should also consider choosing a lower gear to drive down steep grades and that will lead to higher rpm’s. Good rule of thumb is drive downhill in the same gear that you would need to drive uphill. Stay safe

[Metalman]

Originally Posted by Dilley Dilley

...The higher rpm’s are better than frying your brakes. You should also consider choosing a lower gear to drive down steep grades and that will lead to higher rpm’s. Good rule of thumb is drive downhill in the same gear that you would need to drive uphill. Stay safe

Good point, but there have been discussions on motorcycle forums about downshifting vs. braking with and some feel that it's a tossup. Use brakes more to save engine wear or use compression to save brakes. Since brakes are cheaper to replace, some feel it's best to use them more. Personally, I don't pay much attention on a motorcycle, I just do what I have always done. In the RV though, I find it difficult to let that engine rev high going down long, steep grades.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Metalman

Good point, but there have been discussions on motorcycle forums about downshifting vs. braking with and some feel that it's a tossup. Use brakes more to save engine wear or use compression to save brakes. Since brakes are cheaper to replace, some feel it's best to use them more. Personally, I don't pay much attention on a motorcycle, I just do what I have always done. In the RV though, I find it difficult to let that engine rev high going down long, steep grades.

On an RV when brakes are used excessively going downhill they get hot and hot brakes may fail over time. Engine braking can be your best friend. Unfortunately with the V10 high revs and engine roar are a side effect of engine braking, however, the V10 can handle the high revs.

The other thing to consider when descending hills is cruise control. Cruise will downshift as necessary to maintain speed. Tow haul will also downshift with a tap of the breaks.

[Metalman]

Depending on the load and hill, I use both the brakes and the tow haul button. I also like to let the RV run at a good clip to prepare for the next up hill.

[oleflier]

Using lower gear when going down hill does more than prevent brake wear. I you ride your brakes too long the heat can cause break fluid to boil and turn into gas instead of liquid. I know newer fluids have higher threshold but it still can happen. Pedal goes to floor,unable to make pressure. Early buses and semis had fluid brakes and they ran away.