FLHTCI
east coast
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Joined: 05/15/2012
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Greetings all,
I pulled the trigger on a Winnebago Itasca Sunstar 30T.
The previous owner drove it always in Tow Hall mode. Is this a wise decision??
I assume I should only use the tow mode when pulling my Jeep or my Harley trike trailer?
Thank you
2012 Winnebago Itasca Class A Sunstar 30T
2013 Jeep Sahara (JKU)
2012 Harley Davidson FLHTCUTG
2012 Ford F-250
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way2roll
Wilmington NC
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Joined: 10/05/2018
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Do you mean tow/ HAUL mode? The Ford is equipped with a tow/haul mode feature that's very helpful when towing and especially helpful on descents. When in tow/haul mode you can tap the brakes on a descent and it will act similar to an engine brake allowing you to use less brakes and over heating them. In our previous MH, I found it helpful even when not towing in stop and go traffic as it changes the shift modes and helps slow you down without a lot of braking. But the tow/haul mode is designed exactly for towing.
2020 F350 STX 6.7L Turbo Diesel
2020 FR Cedar Creek Silverback 29rw
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Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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I usually use it when I'm towing our boat/atvs/jeep, I also use it when I'm in the mountains even if I'm not towing. I also find it helpful if I'm in traffic and want a bit more stopping power to help with the people that pull in front of me.
2007 Winnebago Sightseer 35J
2011 Jeep Wrangler
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NamMedevac 70
Reno
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Joined: 11/09/2020
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I always used it when towing TT in the mountains and flatlands. Maybe save a little wear and tear on brakes and transmission but supposedly increases fuel consumption. I would think same benefits for MH. Many MH I see are towing a car on carrier, dolly or as a toad or they are pulling a cargo trailer and sometimes a small TT. Cheers to
* This post was
edited 09/17/21 03:15pm by NamMedevac 70 *
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FLHTCI
east coast
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Joined: 05/15/2012
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way2roll wrote:Do you mean tow/ HAUL mode? The Ford is equipped with a tow/haul mode feature that's very helpful when towing and especially helpful on descents. When in tow/haul mode you can tap the brakes on a descent and it will act similar to an engine brake allowing you to use less brakes and over heating them. In our previous MH, I found it helpful even when not towing in stop and go traffic as it changes the shift modes and helps slow you down without a lot of braking. But
the tow/haul mode is designed exactly for towing.
Yes that is what I meant lol.
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phillyg
SWFL
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Joined: 04/24/2002
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Assuming it's a Ford chassis, it's not necessary to use TH all the time. All it does is change the shift points, and it seems most effective at downshifting on deceleration. I use it to keep the RPMs in the sweet spot. If you're pulling a toad, you might use it more.
--2005 Ford F350 Lariat Crewcab 6.0, 4x4, 3.73 rear
--2016 Montana 3711FL, 40'
--2014 Wildcat 327CK, 38' SOLD
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FLHTCI
east coast
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Thank you all.
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Desert Captain
Payson
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TH does far more than merely adjust your shift points. Unless your coach is small and lightly loaded, towing nothing, using Tow Haul all of the time is a good way to go. On a long flat/slight downhill stretch obviously disengaging TH is fine as well. The sheer weight of most motorhomes over 24' provide more than enough load for the advantages of TH to far out weigh minimal {if any} decrease in mpg.
On occasion I have simply forgotten to engage TH. This bit of foolishness on my part is quickly exposed when I glance at my Scan Gauge on even a slight grade and note the trans fluid temps climbing 12 - 15 degrees. An "Oops' followed by reengaging TH generates an almost immediate drop in trans fluid temps back to normal... ![[emoticon]](https://forums.trailerlife.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/doh.gif "doh")
Following a rig on a long mountain descent it becomes immediately apparent if they are not using TH as they are constantly on their brakes often arrive at the bottom of the grade with significantly reduced braking capability due to their overheating. The other huge benefit to TH use on descents is that you are not burning a drop of fuel regardless of rpm. TH locks the the torque converter and shuts off the flow of fuel to the engine enhancing not only control but fuel efficiency as well.
![[emoticon]](https://forums.trailerlife.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/cool.gif "cool")
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Lwiddis
Near Bishop, California
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Watch your RPMs and water and transmission temps and engage if going up.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AMP Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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wildtoad
Blythewood, SC
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In my case I start the engine , press tow/haul. If I’m driving in very flat straight roads I’ll turn it off.
Tom Wilds
Blythewood, SC
2016 Newmar Baystar Sport 3004
2015 Jeep Wrangler 2dr HT
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