When y'all are towing the big loads do y'all use the TOW/HAUL mode on the automatice even thought the RPM jump up to around 3,000 RPM? If not then what? Thanks for any advice.

 

I do it every single time. It allows the lockup to happen earlier and builds my momentum. In the city I rarely come out of it. But if up on the freeway and I see the opportunity to maintain a decent highway speed I will allow overdrive.

I'm pulling upwards of 30k.

 

That's why I love the T/H mode on the 06 trucks. A true T/H mode and if I need to lock it out of OD I can do that too.

At 3,000 rpms you should be able to put it in OD and still be around 2300 rpm's. either way is fine, just don't go below about 1700 rpm's.

 

I agree with the other posters. I think the T/H mode works a little differently from 04.5 to 05 to 06 trucks. But basically, when towing heavy, I use the T/H mode when starting off or around town....and once up to highway speeds I turn it off and the trans goes into overdrive and brings the rpms back down some.

 

Out on the highway let the truck tell you what it needs. I like to keep the RPM low but if it's only turning 1600 in OD and I start up a hill it needs to downshift. You can tell. If it won't accelerate much or at all when you step on it and you're not spinning very fast, it's time for tow haul. But then in the flatlands go back to OD and relax.

I also found with Smarty on 60 HP that my torque converter would start slipping at 1600 RPM under heavy load. (I love that 1600 RPM locomotive growl) So third gear was the better choice. Now with the new TC..........

Wetspirit