tow/haul

[silveradofirerescu]

I am moving to California next week and will be utilizing a U-Haul trailer to assist with the move. I have a 2002 silverado with a 5.3 and a towing package(class 3 hitch). I have a button on the shift selector for tow/haul, what exactly does this do? The trip will be 2200 miles would it be beneficial to use it? How will it affect my gas mileage? Thanks for the help!

[knogoodidleft]

tow/haul puts less strain on the tranny by increasing shift points and wont go into overdive, bad mpg but less stress on tranny. depending on how much weight in the uhaul i wouldnt use tow/haul unless your going up/down mountains or steep hills or bridges.

[777stickman]

Welcome to CA. Expect higher taxes, higher fuel prices and some movement in the earths crust (which is unpredictable) and can be great fun if you have the sense to enjoy it.

Tow/Haul mode. Say you're doing 70 on the interstate and push the Tow/Haul button. All it does is shift the tranny into the next lower gear, say from 4th to 3rd or from 5th to 4th depending on what tranny you have. You can do the same thing by depressing the throttle going up a hill. The thing about the Tow/Haul mode is that it will stay in that gear for up hills and down hills (most benificial for down hills for engine braking). Coming to CA you will need that.

Try it out before you hook the U-Haul up to get a feel for it.

When you're pulling on flat ground the truck should be able to handle it ok. If you feel like it's struggling then click the button. Like the previous response the whole move is going to effect the MPG.

[silverado122775]

The TOW/HAUL is what it says. You use it anytime you are going to Tow or Haul. Like Knogoodidleft said, it reduces strain on the tranny by inreasing the shift points. However it WILL go into over drive. It will save on gas when you are towing because it will shift down sooner without depressing the gas pedal to the ground then upshift when low gear is not needed. I will come to enjoy this feature.

[knogoodidleft]

oh I didnt know it would go into OD, does it do this at higher speeds like 70+? cause ive used it a few times and it never leaves 3rd gear and i never played with it past 60ish.

[wrparks]

As far as I can tell, it has no effect once you pass 65 or 70. If I hit the button at that speed, nothing happens. If I hit the button prior to accelerating, the RPM's get higher, but it does eventually shift into high gear. If you hit a hill, it will also downshift earlier I think.

[silverado122775]

That is exactly right.
Just think of it as a sensitive transmission when the tow/haul switch is on.

[masapell]

For me, I use tow/haul mode whenever I tow our camper. (It changes the shift points and fluid pressures so the shifts are harder/firmer). I also lock the transmission out of overdrive by keeping it in 3rd. The engine stays just north of 2000rpm's and has a lot more power for passing and climbing. Now, mind you, the gas mileage does suffer, but I feel more confident about driving. I drove 2500 miles to Florida and back and the truck did just fine.

Sincerely,

Matt

[TexasF355F1]

Originally Posted by wrparks

As far as I can tell, it has no effect once you pass 65 or 70. If I hit the button at that speed, nothing happens. If I hit the button prior to accelerating, the RPM's get higher, but it does eventually shift into high gear. If you hit a hill, it will also downshift earlier I think.

Try it again. You should feel every gear lasting longer before shifting.

I loved driving around normally with tow/haul mode on. When not hauling, they should have called it sport mode.opcorn:

[masapell]

Originally Posted by TexasF355F1

I loved driving around normally with tow/haul mode on. When not hauling, they should have called it sport mode.opcorn:

Very good point!

[silveradofirerescu]

thanks for the help guys, i think i'll experiment with it a little, lord knows i'll have plenty of time! I was pleasently surprised when I spent the last three weeks in the sacramanto area,i paid only 2.60 a gallon, but then i got home(mi) and paid 3.19. but thats a different topic for a different forum for a different time...