hauling....why fake shifts in tow mode

[mamboman777]

I picked up a 1/4 yard of decomposted granite for the back yard. I was told that's roughly 750lbs. The truck squatted a little, but still has plenty of suspension back there.

I though it was a good time to try tow/haul mode. Why, oh why, do they stimulate gear changes in tow haul mode? Sport mode, ok...I roll my eyes, but whatever. But in tow haul?

So, the question is, do I need to use it? Or can I just go with normal?

Sponsored

 

[Espeer]

TF is composted granite?

 

[mamboman777]

TF is composted granite?

Pardon, decomposed granite. It's basically gravel.

https://www.kafkagranite.com/short-guide-need-know-decomposed-granite

 

[Mr Perfect]

I think the OP meant decomposed granite
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decomposed_granite

 

[Deleted member 1483]

I noticed that too. I wonder if they just reused the sport mode and made it brake a little softer?

 

[Espeer]

Pardon, decomposed granite. It's basically gravel.

https://www.kafkagranite.com/short-guide-need-know-decomposed-granite

Lol. I guess everything can compost, just might take a few billion years!

 

[mamboman777]

Lol. I guess everything can compost, just might take a few billion years!

I agree, I think it's a poor name for the stuff. I think they ought to call it eroded granite.

 

[19mustang65]

I tow in eco or normal on flat or downhill for sure. Dont really notice the fake shifts in other modes

 

[Bushpilot]

Yep, fake shifts in the tow mode is a puzzle I have yet to solve...

 

[Sykotyk]

The only slightly logical thing is that the transmission is changing SOMETHING about energy output at those intervals and they're letting you know that suddenly more or less power is coming from the battery.

The thing is, in tow/Haul anytime the vehicle is moving the gas engine is running. Which means it's charging the battery above and beyond the power needed to propel the vehicle forward.

So, I'm guessing it's converting that excess engine power into electric power and using it on acceleration to offset power needed from the engine. I don't know this, this is just an assumption. Because otherwise in tow/Haul your big battery will be fully charged quickly and be topped off for the rest of the drive including regen braking and down hill. To keep the battery less than full charge it has to use the battery to assist when excess power is needed.

The big thing about tow/Haul is that the regen is a beast. Start to coast and you're 75% of the way into the green without braking. Only Low goes further faster into the green.

I've pulled my trailer empty and just keep it in normal now. Saves a lot of gas (tow/Haul usually ran about 26mpg for me). When there's weight there, I run tow/Haul and if I'm sticking to back roads (like when I hauled a bedroom set home) I got mid 30s. Also when I brought a kitchen table home.

I've hauled way over on my F150 before in the bed and the thing is just be smart. Slow acceleration, slow deceleration, be careful on road chosen for pot holes, bumps and curves, etc. The Tow/Haul mode mostly seems a way to account for novices pushing the limits of the vehicle and not knowing what they're doing otherwise.

 

[MLA62563]

I hauled about 1000 Lbs of gravel a few weeks ago, and found the fake shifting so annoying that I switched to normal mode to see how it managed. It seemed perfectly fine, and took me across town, up and down hills, and along a stretch of interstate with complete composure. For that reason I don't plan to bother with it anymore for hauling. I never do any towing, but I would guess it is much more useful for that.

 

[mamboman777]

I hauled about 1000 Lbs of gravel a few weeks ago, and found the fake shifting so annoying that I switched to normal mode to see how it managed. It seemed perfectly fine, and took me across town, up and down hills, and along a stretch of interstate with complete composure. For that reason I don't plan to bother with it anymore for hauling. I never do any towing, but I would guess it is much more useful for that.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[GPSMan]

I wonder if the fake shifting is most appropriate for going downhill with a trailer?

Sponsored