Using the Tow Haul button when pulling an RV 

On GM trucks, there is a system (SARVC) that will normally throttle down alternator output to prevent overcharging the battery and extend its life when power demand is low. When in tow/haul, it disables this to send full power all the time to charge the trailer's battery via the 7 way plug.

Loved seeing Marc on with you, Todd. I think you both should take your act on the road!!

Since no KYD this week this is a welcome surprise. Now just need a little camo with Trish and Calab.

I use Cruise Control on the highway to keep from creeping up to a higher speed tham I should be at. I want to keep around 60 when I am towing my RV.

Running a Ram 3500 dually; towing a 18,000 dry weight 5th wheel. Always run with Tow/Haul on and Engine Brake on auto. Typically run on cruise control and it pulls up most grades and maintains speed like spreading butter. For the occasional dramatic grades (up or down) I often use manual shift up and down to maintain an appropriate rpm.

Interesting video. I watched a video of a 1 million mile Ram from a guy that did some hotshotting. He only used his tow haul mode on mountain terrain. On the flats of I70 and places like that he never engaged the tow haul. He didn’t feel it was necessary on flat land and didn’t care for the slightly higher RPM’s that comes with tow haul. Not sure if that makes sense but it worked for him. Good video

On my 2019 Dodge RAM with Cummins diesel, I use Tow/Haul and I set the exhaust brake on AUTO, not FULL. The exhaust brake and downshifting starts when you tap the brake. This allows you to coast (and keep the exhaust brake off) when you don't need to slow down.

Tow with F350 dually and use tow/haul mode with RV. On open interstates we cruise control based on posted speed limit and road conditions. I think ya'll could be brothers from another mother. LOL. You two do bring so much good information to the RV community.

Another benefit is while in the T/H Mode it automatically go's to a lower gear which increases RPM which gets you in a better torque range.....closer to the engines optimal torque to RPM range.

2003 F250 7.3l. I only use tow/haul mode on steep grades. If u keep the tow/ haul mode on while driving the extra engine speed will heat the transmission fluid quickly. Even with the upgraded trans cooler. Especially if it's 115 degrees outside!

Mark! Awesome combo! Great job. I use my Tow/Haul all the time on my Ram 3500 when towing since it also makes my engine brake much more aggressive.

Ford F350 Platinum. Tow/Haul mode on, adaptive cruise control set (once speed is reached) and auto engine exhaust brake on. Works like a dream. And BTW, if you want to stay at or under 2 min, Marc isn’t the guest you want to have on, just saying.

I've got Tow/Haul in my motorhome on the Ford F-53 Chassis with the 7.3L Godzilla V-8. I love, love, love it. When I'm towing the Toad I'm in Tow/Haul. it adds the engine brake when I'm headed down a grade. When using the cruise control in T/H it allows my speed to drop about 5mph before it down-shifts. When I'm not towing the Toad I don't use T/H. Then the cruise control tries to keep my speed steady uphill, down-shifts and all. It's a great feature for me and, like you, it's engaged when I'm towing and disengaged when I'm not.

Tow haul can also adjust your trucks engine oil change interval. My 17 f150 will adjust the oil change interval based on towing and engine load

18k Riverstone 1st pulled with 2019 F-250 355 rear. I had to use tow huaul. Upgraded with F-350 Duly 433 rear. Tow-haul burns too much fuell. With 433 rears, no need tow haul, saves fuel and pulls Effortlessly over the Rockies Canada, and the good old USA!. Long time Ford truck specialist agreed, the drive train setup in this truck in drive is all that's needed. Also saves wear & tear on the transmission.

The tow function on Silverado (5.3, 8cyl) works great, I can see no reason not to use it when towing. Thanks for your advice… always well presented with salient advice!

Thanks for the video. I love Tow/Haul mode on my 2019 GMC Duramax 3500HD. I use it whenever I tow. I don't like that it doesn't always go to 6th gear when I'm level and up to speed (in CA that's only 55), but there is a simple solution to that. Cross country when I tow at 60-64, all is well. Thanks again,

2018 Tundra pulling 5000lb tt, tow haul mode engaged, adaptive cruise control at 60mph, 2000rpm, shifting between S4 and S5 👍

I use the tow/haul when I'm towing, and I use cruise control to maintain my speed so I don't creep up and "keep up with the flow of traffic" rather than stay at 60. I toe my 8,000 lb TT with an F-250 6.7 liter diesel.

2019 Silverado 3500HD - Duramax/2020 Montana HC 295RL ... Exhaust brake on/Tow-Haul on/Cruise Control on but CC only on Interstate or very good Secondary roads.

Love when you pair up with KYD.

I'd like to clear up the question about "more power" to the trailer power connector. That's not really likely. The plug is spec'd for 12 volts and most likely a maximum amperage. The trailer would be out of spec or have a short if it attempts to draw more. Any vehicle that has the connector should be designed and have a fuse to provide that.

2007 Chevy 2500 HD LBZ Duramax 6 speed Allison Transmission pulling 35’ fifth wheel. I pull with Tow/Haul on but I do not pull in 6th gear. I go manual and only pull up to 5th gear. 65mph and up to 70mph while passing if needed. I have been told pulling in high gear is not good for the transmission and fifth gear gets the speed I want at 2000 rpm

Dang came here as I usually do for Tech Tips and "BAM" Marc from KYD......too kool. I love this channel and KYD too, ya'll keep up the good work.

i was told by a RV tech.. never drive in Tow Haul unless ur going up/down hill w a trailer. He said using Tow Hall on level or basically full time will severly damage the truck, he also told me no to install a sway bar on a trailer truck combo that has intergrated hauling tech as the two will work against eachother. Toyota says to only use tow hall when inclining or declining

Both my GMC Acadia and my GMC Yukon say in the owners manual that tow/haul mode changes the alternator output to a higher setting.

My son lives on a steep road gravel road. I use Tow Haul coming down this road even when not towing to keep from riding the brakes.

This was the best talk ever 🍻

Tow Haul is there for a reason that you failed to mention > pressing Tow Haul keeps your transmission from going into the sixted gear (high speed gear) this gear is not designed for pulling it can and will soon or later shatter or strip the teeth causing thousands to repair the tran . I had a friend that never used the tow haul and i told him he's playing Russian roulette with his transmission he said i was crazy and he been doing it for years Two months latter he was pissed his transmission blew out the gear and did major damage to his tran

Loved having a guest!

On my Silverado diesel I will sometimes turn off the tow haul for just a moment to let the transmission up shift and then turn it back on the transmission will stay in the higher year

Marc knows his stuff 😎👌

I have a 2003 Dodge Ram dually Cummins some earlier trucks do not have this function so I just drop out of overdrive also I have installed a pacbrake exhaust works great even on cruise control 👍

We have a Ram Promaster 3500 van with the gas V6 and tow/haul pulling a 3000# trailer. With tow/haul on, the transmission locked into 2nd or 3rd, and absolutely would not shift. Even at 50mph on level ground, it would run at 4200 RPM. Turning tow/haul off wouldn’t release it. Stopping and shutting the engine off and restarting wouldn’t release it. Switching to manual gear selection wouldn’t release it. Finally, after an hour with the engine revving needlessly, we stopped for gas, and afterwards it would shift normally. Guessing it needed a prolonged shutdown. After that, I’m just using manual gear selection.

Sometimes the gear down on my f-150 is a bit too extreme for some conditions I've been in. So I have had to turn the tow/haul off for control purposes. I use it 90% of the time, basically.

I guess I’m the odd 1 out here. I prefer manually shifting. It’s far easier for me to control the rpms. I’m not a fan of my engine revving from 4 to 5000 at times. Definitely hard on the engine. I should mention that 90% of my towing is in mountainous terrain.

I have a 2018 RAM 2500 with 6.4 HEMI. No diesel because I am not on the open round enough to make a diesel fully functional. Having said that. My TT is normally at 8300LBS loaded with my stuff, Maz is 8700 LBS. If the water tank is full if not then the with is 7900LBS. I tried tow-haul going to Colorado from New Mexico and many of you know the hills. Did what I expected. Coming back I decided not to use the tow-haul and it was day and night. I did better without the two-haul off. Engine braking is still in effect with or without the two-haul active. FYI

I use Tow Haul when in the mountains, areas with hills or suburban/urban driving. If I am in generally flat areas or non-city/rural areas I tend not to use it so I can spend more time in the higher gears. My use of cruise control is similar. In a nutshell if I know I'm going to have to spend a lot of time adjusting my foot on the accelerator or braking I use Tow Haul otherwise I don't.

2014 ford f150 5.0. Tow 5500lbs. I use tow haul as it only changes shift pattern and lock out 6th gear and use manual shift as required to maintain wanted sweet spot rpm. Use cruise when on open road always if not in hills and mountains

Good starter conversation. But, think it will depend on manufacturer, model and how heavy the load is. Recently in Colorado and defiantly need tow-haul 1 & 2.

T/H on my Tahoe also disables the parking sensors and the annoying alerts when backing the trailer.

On a GM truck the tow haul button will increase the alternator output to aid in charging the trailer batteries. I use cruse when the conditions allow, when you start down a hill in tow mode the cruse will automatically downshift to maintain the set speed.

My two questions are for a future video (or refer me to one that has been made). First, RV battery care. It is nearly impossible to RV and not hit freezing and nor about 104F temperatures inside towing vehicle or camper. What is the best way to protect the lithium battery? How bad it the temp damage and what can be done to minimize it? Second, how should the battery, connected to roof solar panels, be protected when not being used? For example when in storage or parked unused for a few weeks while plugged in to 110V to keep a heater going to prevent freezing. Whill the lithium battery protect itself? Should it be turned off? Removed? Or not to worry…

Tow/haul mode on GMC 3500HD Duramax holds it to lower gears longer for city driving and heavy traffic as well as mountains. Use cruse control all the time.

With my Tundra while in tow haul mode it has built in sway control. If the tow haul mode is not on it will not do the built in sway control. I thought it was with mentioning. Check your owners manual to see if you have tow haul mode activated built in sway control. 👍

We'll go back to our "What's in that series following next week". Subscribe to get notified when we're posting new tech tips every week!

My 2001dodge 5.9 2500 automatic is always in tow mood when we are towing helps the temps stay low

I like to use my tow haul button in my rebel so I can spin my rear tires. Without it on, can't do burn outs .

Having no tow/haul on our 2004 Lazy Daze Class C, driving the mountains was rather stressful. Graduating to our 2019 Tiffin Class A gasser, I still remember the first time I activated the tow/haul as I was going down a hill. The clouds parted, the sun shown through and the angles sang … what a beautiful thing!!!! I activate tow/haul whether towing or not. I love that engine braking. Beautiful.

On my 2015 Ram 2500 diesel I use the tow mode whenever I am towing.

So cool to see Marc

2018 f150 2.7 ecoboost with 3.55 gears and 10 speed trans towing 6800lb trailer. Always in tow/haul and cruise on with gears 8, 9, and 10 locked out. 7th gear is a 1/1 ratio.

I use the tow haul on my tundra when I'm off the interstates. I use the cruise on kinda flat interstates set around 63.

RAM 2500 tow mode on when NOT on the highway cruising, at cruise speeds the cc is on out of the metro areas

RAM 3500 DRW with Cummins, the only real "truck" BTW, run it in Tow mode, EB on, and cruise on. Hauling a 20k lb 5'er. Works like a dream.

I have a 17 F350 sw 6.7 PT. I tow my fifth wheel I always use tow mode but when I tow my little 17ft aluminum bass boat I dont use it. It jerks the boat around in tow mode.

How about Tow Haul on a Class C? I have heard that you should always rung in Tow Haul since you are always hauling a lot.

towing with our 2019 F150, 5.0 and 10 speed. Always use tow/haul. It changes inputs to the engine and transmission via the PCM and TCU. Also, on the 7 pin, there is no voltage to the "charge pin" unless a trailer is connected. Super smart truck knows when the 7pin is connected and make needed adjustments. I thought I had a charging problem since I checked the "charge pin" without a trailer connected...nothing at the pin. Took to dealer ( in warranty), they by-passed the computer to test and everything working properly. I haven't heard of increased voltage, though.

Read your owners manual. Toyota says on 2016 Tundra to press tow haul mode and shift transmission into S5. Do not use 6th gear while towing.

I use the Tow/haul when towing with my F150 eco boost. What about the OD off? how does that come into play with the tow haul setting?

Thx to both of you. I have been using the auto on my exhaust brake on my 2017 f250 6.7 it seems like since I started towing a fifth wheel. I tried today and the truck runs a little better and was averaging 2 mpg better due to no high revving. That helps in braking the camper. Appreciate that! Been thinking about the tech school a lot. Close to retirement so maybe a possibility.

Love KYD !!

Tow/Haul with Full Exhaust Brake on my '17 Ram 2500 leads to issues with 4wd (a warning light) even though 4wd is not in use. I have been told by a former mechanic that Ram owners need to use Automatic Exhaust Brake when Tow/Haul is active. Indeed, this does get rid of the warnings. It is confusing.

Great video guys!! Love KYD! We have a '07 F250 and when we use the tow mode it makes a weird noise. I don't like it. I tell my husband "Turn it off. It sounds like it's wearing it out" lol We also don't use the cruise control. Did on our 1st haul picking up our RV and coming back on a 3 hour trip it cracked our radiator. That was a pretty penny. Lol

I've seen amateurs blow transmissions by leaving their transmissions in overdrive mode. The Ford six-speed auto has two overdrives! In hilly terrain, you must deselect Overdrive (hit the OD button) or the overdrive part of your transmission will burn out . . . blow up . . . fail. Yes, you get poor gas mileage, but that's the torque issue with gas versus diesel engines. The new Tow selection . . . might be more complex a control system, but it is basically so you don't destroy your overdrive going up and down hills.

Great episode. Marc, you look tiny compared to Todd 😂

Turn it off going down steep grades because the “Jake Brake” winds up revving the engine too high.

I use the tow haul and cruise control when towing with my 6.2 gas in my F250 but I will usually pull it into manual when pulling a big grade so I have a bit more control

I don't know. I think the other thing it does is move the front wheel alignment more to the inside (if the button is in) or more to the outside (if the button is out). That's why it's called being tow-in or tow-out. Just sayin'...

On the flat at 65 my tow/haul tends to keep me in 5th gear. Tow/haul off drops me to 6th gear, and I’m assuming better gas mileage. Yes?

Tow haul kills my gas mileage, but use it in hilly country.

2008 f550 super duty Loredo crew cab,western hauler bed, Michelin tires, Alcoa wheels. Black and chrome. 30" two axle V nose toy hauler....houses...barns...

Does anyone disable tow haul on the highway when they reach cruising speed? I’ve often wondered if you would save gas by disabling it at cruising speed?

What happens when you end up.with different color wires

I have a class A ford V10. Should I be using this when I tow my Honda CRV. Also you talked about cruise control can you still use that when you are in tow haul mode?

hey hey Hey whats the big issue with ram? whats difference team, RAm over here

Ford says it’s not needed on normal highways. It might even increase your mileage.

If a person has a idea for the camping world where’s the place to go get started?

Mine does not gear down unless I put slight steady pressure on the breaks going down hill then it shifts down but if it is a slight down hill I want to coast so I put tow/haul off. Do you think that is a good idea?

😂😂 that thumbnail

Is using the tow haul better when for when you're towing, or when you're hauling?

Are the wires color coded for a 261 Salem

Follow Marks channel it's awesome!! Love the 2 min tech tip tuesdays! I would try the RV academy courses BUT I'd fail duuring the electric course.. it's so confusing

😂🤣😂🤣two peas in a pod.

I have a sticker on my shifter (automatic) that says activating tow/haul will improve fuel efficiency.

I’ll limit my comments to Ford diesels 2015 or newer. I’m pretty sure it would apply to ram/Chevy. Long winded discussions with mechanics on transmission use. First you don’t turn your jake brake/engine brake on till you need it. When you drop over the pass going into Jackson wy you turn it on. If it’s on all the time it will be braking when you want it rolling I.e. reducing mpg. Normal mode is off. The transmission are self learning and continuously updating. It gives the best mileage for your driving behavior. If your not towing and heavy on pedal it will shift one way as compared to towing a 5th wheel in downtown Cleveland. When shifting from plains driving to mountainous towing it takes time to adjust. Towing mode or not it’s working at giving the best it can give. Towing mode when towing gives the best performance and least amount of wear on the components. Use your brakes less and less stress on the transmission (shifting up when it should be down) When traveling in mountains with lots up and down I run in towing mode all time. Towing or not. Set cruise and the truck takes care of the slowing down without braking most of time. (It’s not just for towing)

If I am on level ground or a tail wind I turn my Tow/Haul off when pulling my RV is that ok?

Disappointed you didn’t mention anything about class C RV. I use the haul/tow when pulling my trailer with my bike, but what about when the RV is loaded but no trailer? Should it still be used?

I’m curious why Marc got rid of the F-450. He was part of the reason I just bought a 450 to tow my grand design

Good talk, I had someone asking me about tow haul a few days ago. I’ve always used it when towing.

“You have a truck or you have a Ram”. I used to like you Todd. You’re dead to me now🤣😂

Given both of you say you always use Tow/Haul, you should change the title of this segment to "Use the Tow Haul button when pulling an RV." What about reasons why you wouldn't use it??

Have you ever compared your gas mileage with and without the tow setting on?

My trailer brake slides from side to side and is always in red. I have no idea how to turn it off.

2004 3500 dODGE 5.9 stock Cummins I have a gear vendors behind the trans and use tow haul with the gear vender when I am on flat land. Shut off the gear vendor when in the hills and mountains. Any problem with using it this way? I get 21mpg with o/D and about 15 with using tow haul in Colorado.

Thanks make it longer next time! 👍

My truck pulling wants to stay in lower gears up over 65 mph. That’s eating up gas, what’s up it’s not lugging at all. Total combined weight is only 12,300. Is that normal?

My 2004 Southwind gasser doesn’t have a tow mode. However it has Overdrive On/Off. Is this equivalent? I typically leave it on when towing our Cherokee except in hilly areas.

I can see no reason in this video for using it or not using it. Off to find the answer to only the question this video asks.

Why are you only talking about Fords