Tow/Haul Mode VS. Overdrive?

[StephenThomas]

My 04' has "Tow/Haul" mode on the end of my shifter. My 01' had "Overdrive" mode on the end of the shifter. I'm guessing there's not a difference. But then again, what do I know???



Any thoughts???

 

[Dean Upson]

They changed the name.



Dean

 

[zari]

This is one of those things that I just don't get. F*rd's Tow/Haul mode changes the shift points, and helps with engine braking when going downhill - from what I heard, it's working great...



Why can't DC get with the program and provide a <b>real</b> Tow/Haul function?! And, please, don't tell me to get an exhaust brake; courtesy of DC I cannot do that either w/o losing warranty.



On the funny side, the ADAC (the German AAA) just put out the results of a survey of car (not pickups!) owners in Gemany. On the overall "happiness with your car" scale (which includes how the car met the customer's expectations, and how happy they are with the respective service departments), the top seven places were taken by Japanese cars - and that's German consumers speaking. In order: Toyota, Subaru, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Suzuki. The first non-Japanese car was ranked 8th: Porsche. F*rd came in ranked 21st, Audi 26th, Opel 27th, Chrysler 28th, VW 31st, Mercedes (!!!) 32nd, and the honor of last place goes to... Landrover (33rd) .

 

[XcumminsX]

i guess you need a ford then... . honestly not to be a #@$%! . but wouldnt you look into these things before buying your truck?

 

[zari]

I <em>did</em> look at that, as well as the whole package - given my intended use for the truck (pulling a 13000# 5th wheel & ranch/horse work); and I chose the Dodge <em>primarily</em> because of the Cummins engine (reliability). Does the mere fact that I own a Dodge mean that I now have to "say no evil" about Dodge? Please?!



Believe me, if there had been a Ford Pickup (F350 dually) with a Cummins engine, I'd probably be driving a Ford. I really hate to burst your little bubble, buddy, but not <em>everything</em> on the Dodge is <em>perfect</em>; and Ford does have the edge on this one (and on cab space)!



Geez. Happy Turkey Day to you too!

 

[XcumminsX]

I wasnt trying to be mean and i know dodge is not perfect... there paint sucks, bumpers suck. thats all i can think that is just crap on my truck. And yes if the fords did have cummins in them id definatly have one. If the 6. 0's didnt have the problems they did id have the ford. There new trans is very nice. The 48re is nice so far but dc cant make a converter which is why it slips from day 1. Read the new tdr and youll find an article on the exhaust brake stuff. i dont tow at all so i dont know much about that. I wonder if the new 04's have differnt shift points etc, because i heard the button was changed. I bet dodge wanted to make sure the 48re can operate. . Happy thanksgiving i didnt mean to sound like a (beeep).

 

[y-knot]

They don't have to because people like you will buy there trucks anyway. They scrible tow/haul and everyone thinks they have some wonderful improvement. Nope, you have the same lame, overdrive lock-out that has been there since 94'. They don't impove it, because the people don't demand it.

 

[KCJackson]

This was really more a parts issue. The 545RFE used with the 4. 7 OHC V8 and the 5. 7 HEMI V8 does indeed operate in a tow/haul repositioning of the shift points. But rather than make two separate transmission levers with the different markings, they opted for one. Makes little sense, since Cummins Rams use different gauges than all other Rams, but that's typical corporate thinking - we diesel owners demanded numbered gauges, but not accurately marked shifters

 

[zari]

Sorry for getting testy. The "<em>i guess you need a ford then</em>" line had me irked.



Don't get me wrong; overall, I like my truck. It has performed well so far, and my only point was that a <em>real</em> Tow/Haul mode, like on the Fords, would be a huge improvement for those of us who pull some serious weight...



And I think it's no accident that the Japanese car makers are consistently ahead in customer satisfaction surveys; because they <em>do</em> care about, and listen to, their customers...

 

[2003Cummins4Me]

I guess the 6 speed would have tow/haul mode right??/ ... and a couple of reasons for me not buying a ford even though i seriously looked at them and gave ford a chance: i think the interior is outdated, you cant get a six speed in a nice truck, their all in the crappy models, i really dont like the way they take forever turning the wheel to get a response and the problems with the new 6 literOo.

 

[RobbieH]

Dad has a Chevy with the Allison. If I were to ever get an automatic, that's the one. Very very cool transmission. I've towed 3,000 miles with it.



When I got my Dodge, it got a 6 speed. And yea I'm pretty good at making it Tow/Haul.

 

[XcumminsX]

allisons are no better than a minor beefed 47re. Cant be that great...

 

[RobbieH]

The difference I'm talking about is the computer and the driveability and usefulness when towing in tow/haul mode.



The 47RE doesn't have this feature.

 

[XcumminsX]

oh... i see... Hmm i never had it so ill just pretend im not missing much

 

[StephenThomas]

In Summary....

Well... thanks for all the responses fellas. In summary it sounds as if DC cut a corner in an effort to keep up with the other manufacturers "tow/haul" mode. I'll be honest... . this torques my twinkie a bit. Does DC think we're idiots or what?? If "tow/haul" mode is truly nothing but "overdrive on/off", then DC needs to hear about my/our dissatisfaction with it.



I've yet to complete my survey sent by DC. I'm not sure if it is the appropriate venue to vent my dissatisfaction on this or not. I mean why should the dealer be penalized by a bad rating when it's not their fault right?? So... . what other avenues are there?? Letter to DC?? 1-800 #?? etc... Don't get me wrong, I LOVE MY TRUCK... . but I'd like to be given an opportunity to give a "customers perspective" in a constructive manner. All in an effort to improve our beloved Ram... .

 

[RobbieH]

The 800 number is 1-800-992-1997 but a letter would probably be more appropriate.

 

[Dean Upson]

As I said in my first post, they changed the name. Personally, I really don't see a big deal here. D/C has always said not to tow in overdrive and in that respect they are not misrepresenting anything with the "tow/haul" mode. The terminology they have chosen to use just underscores that statement in the owners manual. I don't see where they have blatantly lied about anything.

I agree with Robbie that the survey is not the way to go here unless you feel that the dealer misrepresented the product. I don't ever remember seeing that Chrysler claimed to have changed the 48RE transmission to act like the Ford or Allison in towing mode, maybe I just missed something.



Dean

 

[StephenThomas]

Good point Dean....

Good point... . rather than insinuating that DC misreprsented the tow/haul mode, maybe instead i'll suggest that it should be a true tow/haul mode with different shift points, etc...

 

[Steve M]

"this torques my twinkie a bit. ":-laf :-laf :-laf



That one cracked me up. Totally unexpected. But I agree with you 100%. The damn thing says Tow/Haul on it. It should mean what it's become understood to mean. Higher and firmer shift points if nothing else. A buyer shouldn't have to study every label to determine if it's fact or fantasy. The label on the shift lever is misleading and DC knows it is. "Ah let 'em think it, it'll sell more trucks. "

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

You know this argument really gets old after while.



Tell me where it was ever written that Tow/Haul means that the transmission has to shift different, where is it. Just because that is what Ford does, I guess go buy a Ford then. Boy Ford and Chevy both have V8 to so I guess this wimpy litttle inline 6 means we are getting screwed too. And because they have a 5 speed means some how that the good old 4 speed just wont do it... ... ... . Where does it stop.



I will some what agree that maybe they could go to a better transmission set up to get the E-Brake to work for sure. But I have 2 Dodge trucks with autos, one have 105,000 on it and the other 80,000. Neither have had one bit of problem and but carried Boss-V plows since they were new and have done towing duty also. But then the V10 I traded in had 125,000 miles on it and new one problem with the motor or auto and they are suppose to be junk too, guess I am just lucky