Tow haul mode on '05's

[AlexWV]

What would be an even better solution IMO is to simply incorporate the auto-stick type feature to the auto. Allow a manual mode and place a couple of buttons on the wheel to allow manual shifts. It shouldn't be hard to do but again I think DC sees little incentive.

One of the Pontiac cars has that. I forget what the model is called but it is the sporty 4 door, one step down from GTO model. Pretty cool. Has paddles on the steering wheel. It will let you bounce off the rev limiter if you want but it will not change till you hit the paddle. And I think you can put it in plain old automatic mode. Saw it on a show on Speed one day. Mainly they were talking about the GTO so they didn't go into it too much. The dudes spent most of the show driving the GTO sideways around a race track and giggling. That GTO is some car. Duffed up the Mustang GT, some BMW, and I forget what else in various head to head tests. The thing that kept me mildy interested in the procedings was that automatic in the other car.



Anyway, that's about the only kind of automatic I'd have. The auto with tow/haul in the Hemi used to drive me insane. That one's a 5-spd, two of which are overdrives. The tow/haul wouldn't let it go into 5th but it would let it go into 4th. It did hold the gears a little longer and I think it did something different on downhills but I cannot tell you how many times I wished I could get it out of 4th and to stay in 3rd. So here's another vote for let me lock out the damn overdrive if I want to.

 

[Matt400]

Just trying to picture the situation where you think a lock-out would be better than the way the T/H functions?

I am not familiar with the way tow/haul functions but. .

For me and in the area I live I find myself locking out O/D when entering windy downhills at 55 mph so I am not on the brakes all the time.

Not sure I would like it if I hit the T/H button with the boat in tow and O/D just stays engaged if thats what it does.

 

[Matt400]

has anyone found a way to lockout overdrive on the 05s yet?

After buying an 05 I find myself back at this thread. .

To answer your question- yes. If you are in T/H and the trans has shifted into O/D simply cycle the T/H button off and then back on and O/D will be canceled.



It works well IMO, a better approach to engine braking while descending hills is to turn T/H on with your foot off the gas and O/D will cancel. Then as you need some more speed turn T/H off vs steeping on the go pedal. This allows the truck to coast faster and if speed climbs again too high you can turn T/H back on again which cancels O/D same as it did before the 05's.



The only time I have ever noted O/D to engage when using T/H is when my foot is on the gas and speeds are high enough for another gear so it will upshift as if I forgot to disengage T/H.

Another neat feature is that in T/H while braking, the trans will downshift early with converter locked for added braking.

 

[RedSled]

No lockout needed

I just towed 600+ miles and I love the T/H on the 05. I see no need for locking out OD. If you need to downshift because you think its lugging mash you foot down and it comes out of od.



T/H holds the shifts to a much higer RPM and the lockups are higher also.



In my opinon the TH is a big improvement. I towed several thousand miles with the 97 and hated the lockout.

 

[pecandude1]

bump to the top

 

[GHedrick]

I am informed this morning that ATS will have a lockout fix ready for this problem in about a week (probably will take a month). This will be an aftermarket item so warranty could be affected. If it in fact works, we will hope DC incorporates this fix into the next generation. Will let you know more when I hear it.

So my question would be has this lockout fix ever happened? Just curious, I tow a small trailer, 3000 pounds or less so I very seldom even use the tow/haul switch. I have found that if I have the cruise on and the truck starts to pick up speed downhill it will shift down to slow down. Thanks

 

[BigGunZ]

I like the TH on my 05. What irritates me is the downshifting when I don't want it to, and the TC stall speed.

 

[BHolm]

New for '06... the T/H button now has OD lockout as well. First push gets you T/H, and a downshift normally , the second push gets you OD lockout. I have been using it with the jake brake and having three options actually confuses things a little. I have to look at the dash lights to see what mode I am in. I find it best to select T/H from the start if you are towing. Hitting the button at speed gives you a downshift and unless you are over 65mph the upshift back into OD is very slow. Sure would be nice to see electronis control of the trans. The T/H will downshift 4-3 and lock the convertor automatically with the brake on to slow the truck. Problem is you have to do the 3-2 downshift manually. Then because the truck is so quiet I have caught myself redlined in second wondering why it wont go any faster , oh yeah... operator error! All in all it works well, you just have to learn the system a little.