<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNABLE="on">
<T>
<TR height="100%" UNABLE="on" width="100%">
<TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNABLE="off">


i tow an 18' stock trailer...i usually have 2 ponies @700# ea and a carriage @600#...i've always towed in the tow mode and have been VERY plzed with the results...i previously towed with a 1/2 ton suburban...


i was recently pumping fuel next to a guy with an '04 dodge just like my jimmy...he was towing a BIG inboard...we were discussing the relative merits of our trucks and he told me that he doesnt use his tow mode when he's on a straight, flat road such as an interstate or state hiway...he says he gets better fuel milage doing that...he also stated he cud go in/out of tow mode on the fly, he just took his foot off the pedal and pushed the button...then went back on the pedal after the shift occurred...


i tow a lot on interstates and state hiways and wonder if the dodge boy is correct about not having to be in tow mode in flat road conditions...any opinions or first hand knowledge?


thanks...</TD></TR>
<TR UNABLE="on" hb_tag="1">
<TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNABLE="on">
<DIV id=hotbar_promo></DIV></TD></TR></T></TABLE>

Pony Driver


I have a trailer &amp; load combination nearly the same as yours. I use T/H mode always when towing. The allision can be changed in T/H and out of T/H while moving down the highway. The allision performs much better towing while in T/H mode. It does not matter that while traveling down the highway you remain in T/H as the allision has all the same gears available to you for use in either mode. Only the shift points and a few other things have changed. Just remember you own a superior transmission.


Engineer Bill

IMHO if your gonna be stopping and starting alot then id leave it in tow haul. if your rolling down the highway you can kick it off. some of us cange it on the fly, and sometimes at redlights, but thats another story. in standard mode 4th and 5th gear the tc is locked so it really doesnt matter. might save you some fuel by allowing your truck to stay in 5th gear on the flats. come the hill tap it in keep the the tc locked, and raise the shift points.


Or you can keep doing just how you are. Your probably getting better mileage than the dodge boys anyways.


Or just tell them dodge boys "I have a allison i dont have to tell it how to shift"

You can stay in tow haul all the time while towing. I would. Keeps the tranny cooler during accelleration. After certain speed she still goes into 5th. Th eDodge auto stays on third in T/H so it's not used on the highway.Edited by: hoot

I did not know that Dodge had tow/haul mode, but if hoot says it does that is all I need to read.


But it sounds like the tow/haul on the Dodge automatic transmission is really an overdrive lockout. Is that the case hoot?

I used to own a dodge and that is how it worked. The T/H was actually an OD lockout. Unlike the Alli which changes shift points and locks the Torque converter in lower gears.


Love the alli over the 47re and 48reEdited by: Horse Hauler

Tow/haul... good thing


Locked TC means you can engine brake easier going downhill, plus the ally's got the grade braking feature. It'll also slow you down easier without as much brake pedal use in town. More fluid circulation means you won't cook 'er and shoot, it just plain sounds cool to hear the engine rev up to take the next lower gear when you're rolling up to a light... throws people off...

You also run higher pressures to the clutches with T/H on. This prevents slippage. With a light trailer it probably makes no difference. I'm pulling 13-14K so I keep it on. You'll probably notice smoother shifts... if it ever sh*ts with the lighter load.

My opinion is it was designed to tow in tow/haul mode. So thats good enough for me. I use it in mode all the time when towing. Don't turn it on or off. Just locked in.

TH dosnt alter the PSI to the clutches. The allison actaully runs lower psi to the clutches when the converter is locked(witch it is in most gears in TH) This isnt an issue though since you wont be cooking gears while pulling stuff unless you have added power. TH just raises the shift points and keeps the converter locked in lower gears along with the grade breaking. A locked TC means less slipping and less heat while going though the gears but once you are rolling down the highway over 55 it really dosnt matter to fuel milage. In your truck TH wont affect milage much one way or another especially at a cruise. Unloaded though the higher shift points may suck a bit more diesel though.