Tow Haul

[GHedrick]

At one time I thought I had heard that DC was working on a fix or flash for the 05 to change the tow-haul button into a tow-haul-overdrive button. Just like the new chevys have. I have been looking around the forums trying to find anything about this but can't seem to find it. Has anyone heard anything on this matter? Thanks

 

[TFucili]

How long can you hold your breath?

That reflash would probably be part of the software upgrade to make '05 trucks e-brake capable. At this point, I would say our chances are slim.

 

[ScottLewis]

The new '06 I will pick up today has a "Tow Haul/Overdrive button" on the shift lever.

 

[barleysoda]

What is the difference?

 

[ScottLewis]

Since I haven't used mine yet beyond a test drive, I'll leave it to others for a detailed description. As I understand it, the tow haul modifies shift points and TC lock-up to help with heavy loads and towing. The O/D lock out holds the truck in 3rd gear (not overdrive).



Dan

 

[GHedrick]

That is it exactly. The problem I have is going down hill and having to ride the brakes since I can't get the truck out of over drive. Guess I will have to start playing mega bucks and buy an 07 when I get rich. Thanks

 

[ScottLewis]

Try a search on "tow haul". I found several suggestions that might help you. Some reference pressing the tow haul button, then pressing it again to lock up in 3rd. I'm not sure exactly but I think you may have more braking action than you believe.



Dan

 

[GSchroder]

Dan, are you smiling! Congrats.



Gary

 

[Kennywould]

On the 06' the tow/haul modifies the shift pattern up aand down when towing you can hit the button twice and lock out the overdrive completely. Overdrive still works in the tow/haul mode.

Ken

 

[GAllen]

That is it exactly. The problem I have is going down hill and having to ride the brakes since I can't get the truck out of over drive. Guess I will have to start playing mega bucks and buy an 07 when I get rich. Thanks

One thing I've found that works is if your driving along with the Tow/Haul engaged, you can turn it off and then back on. When you turn it on again the truck will unlock the converter, downshift, and relock the converter. I do this for a downshift going either down hill or up hill. For my truck it only works at speeds below 65mph or approximately 2,000 rpm. Any faster would result in an over rev so the computer guards against that. Not nearly as good as the 06's system, but it works in a pinch.

 

[ScottLewis]

Gary:

Smiling? Not as wide as I should be. Took the dealer an extra day to get e-brake and Spray-in bedliner done so I don't pick it up 'til tomorrow.



Dan

 

[tgrfan2]

I wouldn't worry about getting it. My friends 03 HO 48re shifts better than my 06 and I haven't seen much use for the tow haul mode. In fact it shifts harsher under load than my DTT in the 98 does. It almost feels like the 06 is doing locked shifts at times and then other times it shifts OK. The 06 Allison 6 speed is the only Allison that I have driven that I would say I prefer over the 48re, but give me the 03 HO 48re over the 06 so far.

 

[GHedrick]

So far the only thing I have pulled is my little cargo trailer with the atv and camping stuff inside. I figure not over #3000. It affects the milage a little but other than that you don't even know it is there. I just set the cruise and go. Going down a not to steep grade with the cruise on the truck will shift down and works great. It will try and run away with cruise off and it is just annoying to ride the brakes when you could just shift out of over drive. Other than this it has been a great truck. If the shipping company comes thru tomorrow I will be putting in one of transferflows 30 gallon tool box fuel tank combos this weekend. Will get to try it out running down to Texas for 2 weeks.

 

[ScottLewis]

OK, 70 miles on the '06 now. Tried the Tow Load. Shifts a bit different but not really a good test. Loved the Jake Brake ( Cummins calls it by that illustrious name). They've programmed the '06 48RE to use the brake effectively. It activates smoothly when you take your foot off the pedal and holds til about 45 or so. Then it cuts off the brake, downshifts and re-engages the brake. I played with it for much of the trip home. It sounds much more like the real thing than the BD turbo mount I've used the last several years. So far, it meets or exceeds all expectations. Those who think Dodge doesn't listen to what we like haven't made a real comparison between the older rigs and new.



Dan

 

[barleysoda]

On the 06' the tow/haul modifies the shift pattern up aand down when towing you can hit the button twice and lock out the overdrive completely. Overdrive still works in the tow/haul mode.
Ken

overdrive doesnt work in tow/haul mode on my truck. it hits 2,000 rpm at 50 miles per hour and thats the last gear. If I turn it off then it goes into overdrive and I can get upto 70 miles per hour before I hit 2,000. Thats on a 04. 5 so it must be different then an 06.

 

[mpwalker]

Not sure what your asking, however my overdrive does work in tow/haul, but it does appear to change the shift points but it does work. I pull a heavy 5iver have over 30,000 miles of towing with it and have used tow/haul since new so know it works on my truck.

 

[tgrfan2]

My 06 has 7K on it. I have tried using T/H many times. Yesterday I was towing 10K on relatively flat road in traffic at 40 mph when I felt the engine lugging on a rise. I looked at the tach and it was turning 1200rpm. I punched the button to O/D off and it immediately downshifted and went to near 2000 rpm which is a good rpm for me. Either something is wrong with my truck or T/H is useless.

 

[Bob4x4]

overdrive doesnt work in tow/haul mode on my truck. it hits 2,000 rpm at 50 miles per hour and thats the last gear. If I turn it off then it goes into overdrive and I can get upto 70 miles per hour before I hit 2,000. Thats on a 04. 5 so it must be different then an 06.

As stated many time above t/h changes the shift stategy... ... ... ... under a load it will rev out higher before going into od. If you want it to shift at that speed,back off the pedal some and when it sees that decrease in pedal it will upshift to od.



Bob