2004 Tow Haul Mode.

[Rosco]

I have a question for you guy's with the new 2004's. Does the Tow/Haul button actually change how the transmission shifts or does it just turn off OD like the 03's?

 

[Steve M]

I may be wrong but isn't tow/haul mode only with the HEMI/5spd auto's in the 2500-3500s? I think the '04 Cummins powered trucks still only have O/D on or off. With the HEMI, if you push the button once, it gives you tow mode. Push it again and tow mode is off. Push and hold it in for two seconds (long time if your finger's caught in the door) and it locks out O/D. Hold in for two more seconds and it enables O/D. I wish we had that with the Cummins.

 

[amsoilman]

TOW/HAUL is now on the shift stick, but do not know if it changes the way the transmission shifts. It may just take it out of overdrive, but I don't know for sure. It definately is marked "TOW/Haul" on the end of the stick.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[smithinc]

Originally posted by Rosco

I have a question for you guy's with the new 2004's. Does the Tow/Haul button actually change how the transmission shifts or does it just turn off OD like the 03's?

I dont know about the dodge, my 03 dodge has o/d button, but my 03 ford has the tow haul button and it operates the transmission totally differrentyl. in tow mode the transmission shifts later and harder when up shifting and when slowing down the transmission down shifts early for braking. awesome feature hardly need electric brakes with this feature. and it still goes into overdrive just waits until 65mph or flat grade.



if DC is offering this on the 04 cummins i hope it is a program thing, cause i will be first in line to have my truck updated.



gary

 

[Steve M]

Me too. My '01. 5 shifted like it was in permenent tow mode. I liked it. My '03 shifts like it's at light throttle even with moderate to heavy throttle. I have to give it almost floored throttle to get it to respond like it should.

I would gladly pay for an update.

 

[Phil Howell]

I went out and did some testing in my '04. The button on the end of the shifter does say "Tow/Haul," but it seems to only be an overdrive lockout. 1-2-3 shifts were at the same RPM, with the same firmness as when the button was in the out position. My 48RE shifts great, though. Nice, quick, firm shifts, no matter what!

 

[Steve M]

Phil, What does your owner's manual say about it?

 

[Phil Howell]

Originally posted by Steve M

Phil, What does your owner's manual say about it?

They call it the tow/haul mode, but say that the button locks out OD. I would assume by what's not said that that's all that it does.

 

[Rosco]

Thanks for the responses. I was hoping the Tow Haul would actually alter the trans for towing but my current 48re seems like a good performer so I am sure the '04 will be just as well.

 

[smithinc]

Originally posted by Phil Howell

I went out and did some testing in my '04. The button on the end of the shifter does say "Tow/Haul," but it seems to only be an overdrive lockout. 1-2-3 shifts were at the same RPM, with the same firmness as when the button was in the out position. My 48RE shifts great, though. Nice, quick, firm shifts, no matter what!

does it downshift in tow/haul mode when slowing down? or does it act normal? I wonder why they made it "tow/haul" if it only locks out the OD???



gary

 

[crabjoe]

This is just a guess but my guess is that the current Tow/Hual button only locks out the OD. But sometime after 1/04, I have to assume there will be a reflash avaiable which will actually do something like change the shift points. The reason I say this is because from all the previous posts I've seen on the 48RE was that there would be an upgrade flash available after 1/04 to allow an exhust brake. So it makes since to me that after this flash, the Tow/Haul button will actually do something like lock up the converter and change shift patterns. Just my guess... What do y'all think?

 

[lmills]

That makes since. Like you said, they are suppose to approve this design for the use with an exhaust brake.

 

[smithinc]

wow, three marylanders in a row... cool



gary