Even when not towing, I sometimes like to put my transmission into the Tow/Haul mode when braking. I do this because I am reducing wear on the friction brakes, and secondly, because I like the sound.!!!. Am I prematurely wearing out components of the Allison transmission?

I would say so. I think brake shoes are cheeper the tranny cluches.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley21.gif

Personally, I think you'd be fine. I think the tranny clutches themselves work the same whether you are in tow/haul or not, but the Torque converter is locked. The only other difference (I think) is that the tranny waits until a higher RPM to shift. You might actually be doing less damage, although marginally so, to you tranny by having it in tow/haul, because I think it generates less heat when locked (as evidenced by when it goes into 'hot' mode, it locks the TC all the time, even in first).


Wait for Mike L. or dmaxallitech to chime in, but I think you're fine in tow/haul.


Dennis

railbuff
You are not hurting anything. You are using the converter clutch as a direct connection ( like a stck shift)to the engine for better braking. This won't put anymore wear on the clutches as they are doing the same thing anyway. I use T/H all the time for braking.
mike

I use it all the time as well. I leave it in TH/mode most of the time anymore.

If I can run down hill in tow mode using tranny braking on 6% to 8% hills at 55mph for distances up to 10miles , with only an occational touch of the brakes towing 10,000 Lbs, and not seeing a increase in temperature when its 90F out side, (I think that covers everything). I dont think you have any worries about abusing the tranny.


good luck