06 48re Tow/Haul

[tgrfan2]

I have been thinking for awhile that Tow/Haul is not working properly on my work truck with 8800 miles. The past few days I have been running in Tow/Haul unloaded to check it out. I can feel the truck downshift as I come to a stop. However many times as I was rolling along at 25-30 mph on a cloverleaf or at a yield sign the truck will be running at that speed in drive. The engine is running only 1100-1200rpm which needless to say is well below the torque range. I either have to manually downshift or mash the throttle about halfway down to get it to downshift to second.

I am taking it in next week to have it checked, but with no check light I wonder if anything will show up. Anyone else had this problem?

 

[HBarlow]

You'll be wasting your time and will be disappointed with the result you get from the dealer. I doubt there is anything wrong with your truck or transmission. Mine performs about the same.



See the other current post about 48RE operating characteristics.



I'm not sure what the Tow/Haul mode programming is intended to accomplish. I think mine holds the lower gears a little longer with lighter throttle setting and, I think but am not sure, it downshifts as the truck is slowing. I think mine will stay in the upper gears at very low rpm also unless throttle input calls for more power.



I'm finding it difficult to understand the programming and operation of the MOPAR automatic but it works fine pulling heavy trailers on steep grades.



Harvey

 

[tgrfan2]

If that is the case then I would have to say the tow haul is pretty useless. My friend's 2003 HO 48re shifts smoother and downshifts better without that feature. I guess I will have to get back in the habit of driving this transmission manually when loaded or in traffic.

 

[osiris]

i have noticed mine does the same thing but i have been driving with it activated this past week and i have gained about 1-1. 5 mpg so i dunno maybe it should be called mpg mode not tow/haul lol

 

[Richards]

Tow/Haul

On my 05 I tap the Tow / Haul button twice and it downshifts, It is not in my owners manual.

 

[COBRAJET]

Tapping the Tow/Haul button twice on the 06 takes it out of OD which is a downshift... that is in the owner's manual.

 

[tgrfan2]

Tapping the Tow/Haul button twice on the 06 takes it out of OD which is a downshift... that is in the owner's manual.

Yes mine will drop to third then. The problem is that when you get down below 30mph on a cloverleaf it won't shift on down to second. That puts you at 1100-1200 rpm in 3rd gear unless you manually downshift or mash it hard which is a little dangerous if anyone is in front of you. I can't believe that is normal for a Tow/Haul mode. If I roll into a stop at a light I can feel it downshift into second, but if I have the slightest throttle on it doesn't downshift. I guess it needs a controller if the 'puter isn't programmed better than that. Hopefully the dealer will check it out Wednesday when they do the fuel filler mods.

 

[COBRAJET]

I am sure there would be a difference in the way the truck shifts and holds the gear when you put a trailer behind it. The load on the engine is going to have a lot to do with how the transmission is shifting whether it is in tow haul or not. Put some weight behind it and see what it does.

 

[DDeputy]

I am not 100% clear on the operation of tow/haul either, however, we just got back from Yosemite and I decided to use it on those twisty up and down roads and it seemed to me the transmission didn't shift up and down so much. We went in on the Tioga pass side and went all the way thru to the south side and back taking in the sites both ways. We weren't pulling and empty all the way. I preferred the tow/haul setting for its apparent control of the shifting vs normal operation. I should mention that with about 550 miles on that fill up, which included the road miles from Fernely NV to Yosemite and back, we averaged 20. 9 on the over head which I know is alittle on the high side.

I have pulled over a few hills with tow/haul prior to this and much prefer this to the OD cancel on my 98. 5.

 

[HBarlow]

I have probably been a little too critical of the Dodge automatic. I admit that the more I drive it the more I come to accept it. I am slowly making the transition from five years and over 300k miles with a Gen II with 6 speed and the 48RE is a very different device than I've ever used before.



The truth is I'm old and stubborn and inclined to resist new things and change in general.



Harvey

 

[jaymac]

The tow/haul mode locks the t-converter in 2nd, 3rd, and overdrive to reduce heat when towing. That's my understanding anyway.

 

[AMink]

The tow/haul holds the gears longer as you accelerate so it doesn't shift into a higher gear and leave you too low in the RPM range. As you decelerate, it holds the convertor locked for some engine braking. If you take your foot off the pedal in regular OD, the rpms drop to almost idle. I haven't towed yet, but will be hooking up Sunday for a trip up to NW Washington. I'm interested to see how well it works, especially with Jake Brake! With the JB on, when you let off the pedal in OD, it slows, shifts down, slows some more. The down shift is a little abrupt, but not too bad. So far, I like the 48re. Of course I only have 500 on it so far.

 

[tgrfan2]

I am sure there would be a difference in the way the truck shifts and holds the gear when you put a trailer behind it. The load on the engine is going to have a lot to do with how the transmission is shifting whether it is in tow haul or not. Put some weight behind it and see what it does.

I HAVE towed up to 12K behind it in the Smokies. If it downshifted better in T/H I would know it is working correctly. When the transmission downshifts to second better in O/D off or OD position than it does in T/H I get a feeling something ain't right!

I'll see what the dealer finds tomorrow.

 

[vinconco]

I have found that T/H works better with a load than empty. What I noticed is that when in T/H with a load the trans is more receptive to driver input for downshifting. Just a tap of the accelerator downshifts the trans and it holds until you let up on the accelerator. I have only made one tow so far but it was with a 5000 lb tool trailer through WV mountains. I admit that I couldn't figure it out empty but when I pulled a load through the hills the operation of the 48re w/ T/H became a lot more clear. I LIKE IT

 

[tgrfan2]

I have found that T/H works better with a load than empty. What I noticed is that when in T/H with a load the trans is more receptive to driver input for downshifting. Just a tap of the accelerator downshifts the trans and it holds until you let up on the accelerator. I have only made one tow so far but it was with a 5000 lb tool trailer through WV mountains. I admit that I couldn't figure it out empty but when I pulled a load through the hills the operation of the 48re w/ T/H became a lot more clear. I LIKE IT

Thanks I'll try that. I have been expecting it to downshift on its own in T/H at speeds below 30mph but maybe it still takes the "tap".

 

[vinconco]

It will downshift on it's own but sometimes not as soon as I would like... I think driver input may have been designed into the programing.

 

[JThiessen]

It will downshift on it's own but sometimes not as soon as I would like... I think driver input may have been designed into the programing.

I was always frustrated with the 48RE in my 03 in that it wouldnt always down shift with my input. I'm thrilled with the changes they made, including the T/H mode. I just got back from my first tow over the North Cascades (WA State). Everytime I did something where I expected it to respond with a shift, it did it. Something that just didnt happen with the 03.

 

[Tinman]

I think what you are experiencing is normal but not desirable. D/C is just clueless with it's transmission programming. Both the 47re and 48re stay in 3rd gear on decleration until about 12 mph then shifts to 1st. There is no 3-2 shift unless you push the throttle down to about 3/4 of WOT. This puts you in 3rd at low rpms such as when you are turning corners in town. I hate this. You don't notice it much with the stock T/C because it's so loose. In tow-haul you notice it some because the T/C stays locked to about 25 mph (which I like). There is no need to be in 3rd at anything less than 27 mph. It is really aggravating on my 01 with 295 tires, 3. 55 rear end and 89% T/C. I'm considering getting a stand-alone programmer to fix it. And while we are on the subject, the other thing D/C did really wrong is on the 06 the O/D off mode doesn't keep the T/C locked like in T/H. Something else to fix.

 

[tgrfan2]

I got it back from the dealer today. No codes set transmission shifting "normally". Had two recalls done too. I still love the truck. Had to drive the 01 SO 2500 today and kind of enjoyed the noise! Missed the power though!

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

what I have seen is tow/haul locks the tc at anything above about 35mph, which is nice because you do get some engine braking. It also holds the 3-4 shift much longer or until you lift off the pedal. I wish they would change this so no matter what you don't see 4th until the truck is going at least 65 or so. OD off just locks the OD out, but what kinda sucks with it is you don't get the engine braking and it doesn't lock the TC up until over 50mph. kinda negates its use for in town driving