Hybrid Surging While Towing

[ShadowBlack XL440]

Has anyone experienced a surge while towing in a Hybrid Maverick? I have on several occasions when towing less than the 2000 pound limit at 70+ mph on uphill grade. It feels like it is downshifting but I know the ECVT does not have gears. Could it be a simulated shift? It has done it in tow mode and in normal modes. Normal mode was with an empty 750# aluminum trailer. Almost like it is hunting for a lower gear, surges 2 or 3 times in 10-15 seconds and then goes back to normal operation. 2024 Hybrid with 28K miles.

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[Scupking]

Maybe it's when the electric motors kick in for assistance?

 

[jsus]

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/hybrid-trailer-tow-pseudo-shift-points.38844/

 

[Pstewone]

Has anyone experienced a surge while towing in a Hybrid Maverick? I have on several occasions when towing less than the 2000 pound limit at 70+ mph on uphill grade. It feels like it is downshifting but I know the ECVT does not have gears. Could it be a simulated shift? It has done it in tow mode and in normal modes. Normal mode was with an empty 750# aluminum trailer. Almost like it is hunting for a lower gear, surges 2 or 3 times in 10-15 seconds and then goes back to normal operation. 2024 Hybrid with 28K miles.

Yes, I am experiencing this! I have a 2025 lariat hybrid with the 4k tow package with 11k miles. After completing a 5000 mile trip, towing 3000 of those miles it happened about 10 times. It also happens when not towing. It’s easier to ignore when going slow or when not towing. But when you have a 3000lbs trailer on the back, heading down the hill it’s not good. It seems like it goes into a low gear randomly the engine is acting like a break in excessive way. Think of it like this, if you had an standard automatic transmission and you were heading down the hill in drive and all sudden you put it in first gear that’s the sensation that I get. I had it to the dealer for another recall and told them about it. They said it may need a software update but they didn’t have the new 2025 software yet. It does it and normal drive mode as well but I typically don’t use that mode when I’m towing. I read a lot about the 22-24 Mav’s CV axle failures. This issue is surly putting stress on them.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Yes, I am experiencing this! I have a 2025 lariat hybrid with the 4k tow package with 11k miles. After completing a 5000 mile trip, towing 3000 of those miles it happened about 10 times. It also happens when not towing. It’s easier to ignore when going slow or when not towing. But when you have a 3000lbs trailer on the back, heading down the hill it’s not good. It seems like it goes into a low gear randomly the engine is acting like a break in excessive way. Think of it like this, if you had an standard automatic transmission and you were heading down the hill in drive and all sudden you put it in first gear that’s the sensation that I get. I had it to the dealer for another recall and told them about it. They said it may need a software update but they didn’t have the new 2025 software yet. It does it and normal drive mode as well but I typically don’t use that mode when I’m towing. I read a lot about the 22-24 Mav’s CV axle failures. This issue is surly putting stress on them.

Sounds like you are describing normal engine braking can happen towing or not and more frequently when going downhill. Regen battery is most likely at or near 72% SOC.
ETA: ICE braking is limited at something like 4500 rpm and hydraulic brakes will assist.

 

[Pstewone]

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With all do respect. There is nothing normal about doing it very, very excessive. Think of it like this, if you had an standard automatic transmission and you were heading down the large hill in drive at 55mph and all sudden you put it in first gear that’s the sensation that I get.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I've only towed a small U-Haul trailer. For less than 200 miles.
I don't remember any surging.
When the battery is full. And when the ice kicks in, it isn't subtle, it's just like you put an automatic transmission in 1st. gear.
I usually start using the brakes at that point.

 

[Chops]

With all do respect. There is nothing normal about doing it very, very excessive. Think of it like this, if you had an standard automatic transmission and you were heading down the large hill in drive at 55mph and all sudden you put it in first gear that’s the sensation that I get.

Adrenaline rush for any tailgater behind you that will not see brake lights as you slow!

 

[Pstewone]

Adrenaline rush for any tailgater behind you that will not see brake lights as you slow!

For sure!

 

[HeyBales]

With all do respect. There is nothing normal about doing it very, very excessive. Think of it like this, if you had an standard automatic transmission and you were heading down the large hill in drive at 55mph and all sudden you put it in first gear that’s the sensation that I get.

Only sounds like that, if it feels like that then the whole process is working per design.

The non-ability for the traction motor to recharge the HVB which is maxed out, has the energy going to the generator motor dialing in a gear ratio, to allow the ICE freewheeling to waste the energy.

Just because you are unfamiliar with it doesn't mean it's not normal - it is.

But the RPM's probably aren't as high as you are imagining.

 

[HeyBales]

Adrenaline rush for any tailgater behind you that will not see brake lights as you slow!

Actually for this description most likely the system is trying to do the Hill Descent Control.
Maintain speed, starting with maxing out regen if possible, moving on to engine braking if that's maxed out.
So no slow down, so no brake lights don't matter.

And with a trailer (shoot steep enough without trailer even!) it's probably losing the battle, so the brakes will have to be pressed to maintain speed.
So there's your lights.

 

[HeyBales]

Has anyone experienced a surge while towing in a Hybrid Maverick? I have on several occasions when towing less than the 2000 pound limit at 70+ mph on uphill grade. It feels like it is downshifting but I know the ECVT does not have gears. Could it be a simulated shift? It has done it in tow mode and in normal modes. Normal mode was with an empty 750# aluminum trailer. Almost like it is hunting for a lower gear, surges 2 or 3 times in 10-15 seconds and then goes back to normal operation. 2024 Hybrid with 28K miles.

That and Sport mode do have "shift points" where ICE RPM does indeed change slightly as gearing is really changed by the generator motor.

But it's not done in Normal mode - so likely something else unless it happens to feel the same.
Enough HVB charge built back to allow the traction motor to kick in a bit more, briefly?
Though 70 mph isn't really a great speed for recharging.
Would almost need a scanner gauge to see what's happening.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

With all do respect. There is nothing normal about doing it very, very excessive. Think of it like this, if you had an standard automatic transmission and you were heading down the large hill in drive at 55mph and all sudden you put it in first gear that’s the sensation that I get.

Ice braking is not very very excessive. It is operating as designed and the computer will balance the ice and hydraulic as needed. Cruise control with or without manual speed reduction can reduce the rpm. With only 4 small cylinders ice braking will be at high rpm.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Has anyone experienced a surge while towing in a Hybrid Maverick? I have on several occasions when towing less than the 2000 pound limit at 70+ mph on uphill grade. It feels like it is downshifting but I know the ECVT does not have gears. Could it be a simulated shift? It has done it in tow mode and in normal modes. Normal mode was with an empty 750# aluminum trailer. Almost like it is hunting for a lower gear, surges 2 or 3 times in 10-15 seconds and then goes back to normal operation. 2024 Hybrid with 28K miles.

Yes and this is normal for this type of hybrid. Mine has been doing it under your same conditions for 3 years. And my hybrid before this one did it, and the one before that did it.

It's different. Feels and sounds different. Can be unnerving.

But normal. Nothing is broken. Nothing to fix. Nothing for a dealership to "find".

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Yes, I am experiencing this! I have a 2025 lariat hybrid with the 4k tow package with 11k miles. After completing a 5000 mile trip, towing 3000 of those miles it happened about 10 times. It also happens when not towing. It’s easier to ignore when going slow or when not towing. But when you have a 3000lbs trailer on the back, heading down the hill it’s not good. It seems like it goes into a low gear randomly the engine is acting like a break in excessive way. Think of it like this, if you had an standard automatic transmission and you were heading down the hill in drive and all sudden you put it in first gear that’s the sensation that I get. I had it to the dealer for another recall and told them about it. They said it may need a software update but they didn’t have the new 2025 software yet. It does it and normal drive mode as well but I typically don’t use that mode when I’m towing. I read a lot about the 22-24 Mav’s CV axle failures. This issue is surly putting stress on them.

It is normal.
Every hybrid with this style of transmission does this, and it has been this way for 20 years.

It's very different than you are used to.
But 100% by design and 100% OK.

And it's not stressing the axles any more than you going up a freeway on ramp at a brisk pace. Really!

You can relax and enjoy. The eccentricities will eventually become normal to you.

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