Trailer Tow Mode Button

[DJ]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

OKAY......so it does not lock out OD only changes shift points etc.....this makes sense...I can tell difference in shift rpms and how it shifts harder in tow mode. So just to be certain....if I now tow in 3rd only (lot of hills no flat land in Arkansas) DO I USE THE TRAILER TOW MODE OR NOT??

Trailer ON. Yes.

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

I have a 05 1500 that has the same trans but I have 4.56 gears with 35's and I switched the motor and put a 6.0 in it. I notice when I use tow haul mode in town or starting and stoping allot in town it wants to rev and slip the trans allot more than when it is off. But once I am out on the interstate with 6000-9000 pound loads which is pretty common for me towing cars, trucks, suvs, camper, and boat atleast weekly. I can pull most hills in overdrive as long as I am not using cruise. With tow haul mode on or off doesn't matter. Like I said the only place I notice a difference is in town and start and stopping.

 

[security6]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

OKAY......so it does not lock out OD only changes shift points etc.....this makes sense...I can tell difference in shift rpms and how it shifts harder in tow mode. So just to be certain....if I now tow in 3rd only (lot of hills no flat land in Arkansas) DO I USE THE TRAILER TOW MODE OR NOT??

To the best of my knowledge, it doesn't matter. The tow/haul mode only changes shifting behavior. If you are in 3rd then you control shifting behavior, it doesn't have anything to change. It certainly won't hurt anything to have it on, and it would be easier to just put it on and forget about it.

Again, the only time I ever turn it off (when towing) is on flat interstate when the transmission is shifting between 3rd and 4th. I've found it helps the transmission stay in 4th, perhaps at the risk of lugging the engine.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

What the button does depends on the truck. On my 09 ram the tow/haul limits the trans to 5th gear (6th is OD), changes the shift points, increases compression braking (by downshifting sooner when not on the throttle) and turns off the MDS.

 

[Okie556]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Actually, there's plenty of flat land in Arkansas. It's just nowhere near Oklahoma. I use to tow my barge and other assorted goodies with a Z-71. I towed in third with the button engaged and was happy with everything but the tendency of a certain needle to move quickly in an undesired direction. Part of driving a truck. Others' responses may vary. Where in Arkansas are you towing/boating?

Actually have lived in East TX since 71 but in Nam everyone had handles and mine was Okie.....just can't let go of it. HA-HA. We tow from Longview, TX to Mt. Ida, AR. (Lake Ouachita) Love it there....need to move.

 

[Okie556]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Trailer ON. Yes.

okay..will tow in 3rd with tow mode on.

Thanks all. Just wish I had found this forum a few years back before I spent $1200.00 bucks changing front/rear gears to 4:10(at a local 4-wheel drive shop) and then having to take to GM dealer to have computer reprogrammed so speedo would be correct and to turn off some ABS error light. Now...getting "SERVICE 4-WHEEL DRIVE" message. Of course never used 4-wheel drive after having gears changed until a few weeks ago and put in 4-high to move friends boat in a steep yard. Sounded bad and had trouble getting it to switch back to 2-Wheel. Truck is 2006 year with only 38,000 miles only got the Z-71 package because of the higher payload towing.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

I run a 5.3 w/ 3.73 rear towing #5500. No problems towing in D with tow mode on. Over 120K miles later and the truck is none the worst for wear.

At 60 mph your right on a shift point. Drop down to 55 or increase your speed to 65. I tow ~ 65-70 and shiffting just isn't a problem. If your using cruise control, don't

 

[Okie556]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

I run a 5.3 w/ 3.73 rear towing #5500. No problems towing in D with tow mode on. Over 120K miles later and the truck is none the worst for wear.

At 60 mph your right on a shift point. Drop down to 55 or increase your speed to 65. I tow ~ 65-70 and shiffting just isn't a problem. If your using cruise control, don't

That extra 2000 lbs I'm pulling really makes a big difference. And yes your correct.....I never use cruise.

 

[scoyt]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

I heard that lake is WAY up right now. I live about an hour from there. All the lakes are up around here, thanks to ALOT of rain lately.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Actually have lived in East TX since 71 but in Nam everyone had handles and mine was Okie.....just can't let go of it. HA-HA. We tow from Longview, TX to Mt. Ida, AR. (Lake Ouachita) Love it there....need to move.

Okay then. Here we go. My brother lives in Liberty City. You should look him up some time. I'll sweet talk his wife into letting him go fishing. As my profile says, I live in Little Rock, so I've spent some time on Ouachita. In fact, I was at Shangri La just last weekend. She is definitely up, as is Greers Ferry and everything else for that matter. However, the water sure was nice when the lake wasn't being pounded by yet more storms. We need to meet up on the water some time so I can grill you a burger and thank you for your service.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

I heard that lake is WAY up right now. I live about an hour from there. All the lakes are up around here, thanks to ALOT of rain lately.

Scoyt, update your profile to reflect your 20. We Arkies need all the help we can get around here.

 

[Okie556]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Okay then. Here we go. My brother lives in Liberty City. You should look him up some time. I'll sweet talk his wife into letting him go fishing. As my profile says, I live in Little Rock, so I've spent some time on Ouachita. In fact, I was at Shangri La just last weekend. She is definitely up, as is Greers Ferry and everything else for that matter. However, the water sure was nice when the lake wasn't being pounded by yet more storms. We need to meet up on the water some time so I can grill you a burger and thank you for your service.

Sounds like a deal on burgers! I've been camping/boating on Ouachita since I was 8 years old (just turned 64) so we love it as well. We camp right near Shangri La, Tompkins Bend & Denby Point and have know the owners and all the kids forever. Love their pies!!! LOL We'll head back in September and stay until it turns cold in November. Tough job but someone has to do it.

 

[Okie556]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

I heard that lake is WAY up right now. I live about an hour from there. All the lakes are up around here, thanks to ALOT of rain lately.

When we got to Ouachita April 6th....lake was 9 1/2 foot low.....now 10 foot high and rising. We gave up and came back to Texas. Will head back 2nd week in September and stay until gets cold in November.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

That was my first visit to Shangri La and I had a VERY difficult time resisting the pies. They were absolutely gorgeous. The people there are so nice too. It's nothing fancy, but it's so clean and well run I want to take my girls there this summer to show them what lake resorts used to be like. We typically go to Catherine, but I really like Ouachita. I love to camp on an island before the weather gets too hot.

 

[ChampionShip]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

I'd be willing to bet that you had 3:42 which is highway gears, you will probably find that a locking diff with 3:73 in a 1/2 ton will actually pull better than the gears you have now. That's a direct quote from the guy that does all our trans work on our work vehicles- he's been in business for over 50 years.

 

[ChampionShip]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Owners manual on my 1999 S10 4.3 says to tow in 3rd.

and your s-10 doesn't have tow/haul mode. You should be able to pull in D with tow haul on- it shouldnt find overdrive that often in tow/haul.

 

[scoyt]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Incoop, you are right. I needed to update my profile. Thank ya!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Through all of these discussions there has been no mention of torque converter locking/unlocking which is often mistaken for a gear shift. In a four speed GM automatic transmission 4th gear IS overdrive. The torque converter will lock and unlock in either 3rd or 4th gear. The converter lock is what takes the slippage out of the torque converter. I agree that leaving the tow/haul button in the normal position and towing in 3rd (drive) in this case is probably the best situation. When towing watch your tach carefully. As you approach a grade the first change in tach reading will be rather slight (400 - 600 rpm) or so. That is not a downshift but rather the torque converter unlocking. A torque converter actually multiplies engine torque by a factor of 2:1 or so at stall. The next shift will be a much more dramatic 18 - 20% rpm change. That is the shift from OD to 3rd. If you did not have the ECM reprogrammed after changing the gearing that would also play into the shifting pattern as well as screwing up the speedometer. Here is a little trick that will prevent frequent converter lock/unlock and OD/3rd gear shifting -- but you need be a "driver" of your vehicle. Not just steering the thing. If you are driving with cruise control on and are approaching a hill, very gingerly acceleate to gain 3, 4, or even 5 mph. As you get into the hill hold the accelerator steady untill you get into the hill and then just as gingerly, begin to let off the accelerator until you crest the hill. Obviously if the hill is long or real steep you need to accelerate to a higher speed or just let the tranny downshift when you run out of mementum. Practicing good driving technique can not only get you better mileage, but it will be easier on the vehicle as well. When it comes to towing, having good foot technique can beat cruise control gas mileage by a bunch. Why?? Because cruise control cannot anticipate. If waits until engine rpm drops (as does speed) and then the downshifting begins. However, because so much speed has been lost, much more throttle is applied to try and get back up to speed. In severe cases, a downshift to 2nd gear will occur when a talented foot would have prevented all of the events except perhaps the converter unlock.

 

[Okie556]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

Thanks Silvertip about info on Torque Converter. I do try to use good driving technique but never use cruise while towing.

 

[Okie556]

Re: Trailer Tow Mode Button

I'd be willing to bet that you had 3:42 which is highway gears, you will probably find that a locking diff with 3:73 in a 1/2 ton will actually pull better than the gears you have now. That's a direct quote from the guy that does all our trans work on our work vehicles- he's been in business for over 50 years.

Your correct on the 3:73 ratio. Wish I had gone that way but hey hindsight is always 20/20.