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Posts: 759
| I just ordered a new 2009 Chevy Tahoe z71. On full size GM trucks,there is a tow/haul mode. The sales man related that the option is best used when towing in hilly terrain but I sensed he was not sure when he gave the answer. I was hoping to get some opinions here. Is the sales man right? Or do you always use the option when towing regardless of terrain. I own a smaller boat,Crestliner 16ft. angler that I towed with my trailblazer. I'm sure the information will be in the owners manuel but advise from you with experience would be appreciated. Kdawg |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | If your truck is downshifting...then you should be using tow/haul mode. If you use cruise control you will likely need it. |
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| imo you should have the tow/haul feature on at all times when towing.
the shift points are much higher and it won't wear on your tranny as much using the feature. |
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Posts: 357
Location: Long Prairie, Minnesota | Alot depends on what you are hauling/towing. I had this option on my Yukon and only used it when pulling my boat through hills and the like. When I was driving on flat roads, never had the need as the Yukon was more than strong enough to pull it. Like Zach said, if you engine keeps down shifting, then kick it in. It basically keeps your truck from going into overdrive, thus keeping your RPM's higher and enabling you to pull hill, etc. Easier on your tranny if it isn't shifting back and forth between drive and overdrive all the time. |
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| it is also better on your tranny/motor if you are in a situation you are starting/stopping a lot..like in a city or going thru multiple small towns...if you are towing a fairly heavy boat i would use it all the time...it doesn't block the engine from going into overdrive, as my tahoe at a certain speed and rpm level will go into overdrive while towing my boat with the tow/haul on...
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | I use mine whenever towing anything. 99 Jimmy and have pulled fair sized glass boats without any problems. Hills or stop and go I'll pull down to 3rd. |
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Posts: 1270
| I have a 2004 Z71 Crew Cab with that feature and I never use it anymore. I find that with the feature engaged the truck is shifting almost constantly regardless of wether I'm driving on flat roads or hilly areas. FYI I am towing a 17.5' Skeeter. |
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Location: Minnesota | Heat kills trannies, the trans fluid pump only pumps as fast as the RPMs let it, the pump is hooked to the torque converter and uses the same revolution as the motor... so that being said the Tow/haul mode bumps the shifting points so the RPMs stay higher longer before grabbing the next gear...keeping the RPMs higher and pumping a lot more fluid to the trans cooler.... and they will still go into overdrive as long as the RPMs are high enough and the fluid is cool enough...all controlled by the PCM.....I use mine whenever im towing my boat...20 foot Lund, mine rarely goes into Overdrive when im pulling it unless im up around 80mphs and flat ground....... anyway i say use it all the time towing and your tranns will last much much longer......my truck is a 99 Sierra going on 190k and still the original trans..... good luck with your new truck..... they have much more pulling power and are suppose to get better milage ! |
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | Just bought a 08' Sierra, and they said right away when I test drove it. USE IT all the time when towing your boat! |
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Posts: 1887
Location: syracuse indiana | well i use it and sometimes i dont.. i know i should be using it all the time but i think it uses more gas and shifts funny on flat ground and just leaving the driveway with it on....bill
i also drive a 05 1500 silverado
Edited by archerynut36 11/29/2008 7:03 PM
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Posts: 726
Location: Eau Claire, WI | I've got a 99 sierra and I use it only when I notice a lot of downshifting at highway speeds which is usually hilly terrain. I don't like it on when starting from a dead stop because I think my truck shifts too hard from 1st to 2nd i.e. it lets the revs get too high b4 shifting so feels like I'm gear jamming. So I don't use it in stop/go slow moving traffic.
FWIW,
Jono
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Posts: 190
| You don't need it towing a 3500 boat unless you are going up hills or a lot of stop and go. It burns much more gas. The tranny is the tanny. It changes the shift points so your always running at a high RPM hence the gas. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | My buddy who runs a transition shop says to use it. I take his advise when it comes to things like this. |
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Location: Twin Cities | Hey treats, transmission? |
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Posts: 333
Location: menasha wi 54952 | I have an 08 GMC YukonXL. I tow a 98 Ranger 690 with it as well as a utility trailer. I always use the tow mode. At highway or cruising speed you will not notice a difference in rpms from normal drive/overdrive. Where you will notice a huge difference is in the overall power throughout the range while accelerating. I would use it. Thats what it is for. |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | That too... LOL!!! |
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Posts: 7
| I try to use mine but I don't like the way it is constantly looking for gears. Sometimes at very high rpm's. I have had six trucks in the last 10 years and I was hoping they would get better but to no avail. When I get sick of listening to it shift, I will turn off the tow haul mode and drive in third gear. I love the truck except for this feature. It seems the engine is not a good match for the tranny! |
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