Fix the Tow Mode - please

Steamguy · 04-23-2007, 01:27 PM

How would you fix the Tow Mode in the Titan? That's pretty much the theme of this thread.

Tell you what - I'll make it into a poll, so even if you don't feel like posting, you can take a second and weigh in.

I have an early '04 and mine is totally, totally useless. Not sure if they did anything to the later trucks, but I suspect not much if anything. I tow a 7000# Arctic Fox 26J and the Titan is a real towing machine. But it sure would be a great thing if Tow Mode (TM for short) worked differently.

Here's what happens now: If I try to tow in OD, TM doesn't do much but make the engine rev higher as I accelerate through the gears. To me that's no real difference because this engine has so much torque. If I touch the gas at speed, the RPMs shoot up, so you can tell the torque converter isn't locked. Now, I wasn't an auto-trans specialist, but I know that anytime the torque converter isn't locked, that transmission is generating heat. Adding to this is that the transmission constantly hunts for a gear. If I kick TM OFF and kick the trans into Manual mode, the truck is happy. So really, TM is useless.

I had a couple of Dodges before, and here's how they did it: TM locks out overdrive, and generally tries to keep the transmission from 'hunting' for a gear.

I recently had a ride with a buddy in a Chevy 2500 who was yanking a work trailer from A to B, and that 5-speed Allison transmission is one seriously sweet box. He would tap the brakes on a downhill, and the transmission (in Tow/Haul, no less) would shift down and help with some engine braking.

Maybe we could combine features here...

Opinions?

Stoobie's Titan · 04-23-2007, 01:44 PM

I'd fix it with a limited slip stock from the factory, I know, not related to tow mode, but my main "Biatch" about this otherwise awesome truck .....

hondarider227 · 04-23-2007, 02:18 PM

I tow in a lot of mountain areas and you can tell the difference as it goes thru the ****. Sure you can turn it off and go thru the gears yourself (which is always fun) but there is a difference when going up a step grade from a stop. on the highway you can't tell the difference at least I can't.

Hey Stoobie that's a nice looking AR you got there. Wish I could get another here in Cali. Had an AR-15 AK-47 and SKS stollen about 10 years ago. I miss them. Oh well have started a new collection just can't get them anymore

Stoobie's Titan · 04-23-2007, 02:28 PM

Flee the hippy state of CA, we buy them at the "Circle-K's" here in AZ ... lol

**loufish** · 04-23-2007, 05:07 PM

I'd like to see the TM programed to keep the converter locked longer. When I tow in 4th, it doesn't take too much throttle pressure to un-lock the converter....and it gets worse at legal tow speeds here in Kalifornia...55 mph.

fpd7 · 04-23-2007, 06:06 PM

If it means anything to anyone. I plan on getting a Titan NEXT April. I now have an F-250 SD Diesel. It's a nice truck. Tow/Haul mode on the Torqshift works like this, and how I think they should all work...When T/H mode is on, accelerating, the engine revs higher before it shifts into the next gear. When decelerating...it will keep the torqueconverter locked so the engine helps slow the load down. It will force the tranny to shift down as you slow down. If you are applying the brake, and the load continues to accelerate, as going down a hill with a load, it will down shift a second time to help slow even greater. If it senses you are going up a hill, cresting, and going back down the other side, it will hold the lower gear you used to climb the hill to help hold the speed DOWN going down the other side.
I love the looks of the Titan, and the one I test drove was cool. You Titan guys have been great letting me in here not even owning one.

dawgs77 · 04-23-2007, 06:36 PM

First....you can't even try to compare the function of a HD transmission like a Allison to our transmission.

The tow mode does work....a little.....if you are easy on the foot. If you floor it everytime you take off pulling a trailer it won't make much of a difference. With all that throttle it will stay in gear anyway.

XCITE · 04-23-2007, 07:15 PM

If I go down a steep hill with my 06 and lightly apply the brake mine will shift down without the tow mode on.

x2thez · 04-24-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCITE

If I go down a steep hill with my 06 and lightly apply the brake mine will shift down without the tow mode on.

my 04 does the same thing without tow mode on.

**Carbeaux** · 04-24-2007, 10:12 AM

I don't fit into any of those poll categories. I do use the tow mode and do tow pretty heavy at about 6000 pounds. I don't really know if I notice a heck of a lot of difference with it on or off. Having said that, I only tow in fourth and haven't towed a lot with tow mode off. The one time I did tow any distance (about 120 miles) without it on, it must not have been too bad or I would have known I left it off. The tow mode button isn't my gripe, but the torque convert is. I wish it would lock at a lower speed and stay locked without a more aggressive change in throttle position.

Quad T · 04-24-2007, 10:22 AM

I have no issues with my Tow Mode, my load is in the 5,000 range. I have to admit though, I always have the Tow Mode selected when I tow, and I do find it helps to hold a gear longer when I'm being easy on the throttle, so for me I think it's doing its job.

Regarding the poll, I selected I tow in 4 with Tow Mode ON. Seems to make a good difference for me. because it was close, but I will admit, there are times when I'm towing and the truck is in D/5th. If I'm on the expressway going east to Watkins Glen that section of thruway is very flat, I pop the Titan right into 5th and I can see by the tach the torque converter has locked up and and the rpm's have dropped. there is very little load on the truck at this point so I just let it run in 5th. Of course as soon as I get off the thruway and I get into elevation changes I go right into 4th and stay there. I figure I might be saving a couple ounces of fuel

I will also say, I do use it from time to time just driving around, because it is a little like a sport mode.

**loufish** · 04-24-2007, 05:15 PM

Quote:

I wish it would lock at a lower speed and stay locked without a more aggressive change in throttle position.

EXCACTLY!...I use the TM every time I tow and for raising the shift points it works fine, but it should also firm up those shifts a bit along with of course better converter management...

Ghostface · 04-26-2007, 03:47 PM

My major gripe is...
I tow about 6000lbs and go through some passes on the way out to the coast. Nothing major by any stretch. While towing I have it in Tow mode and in 4th. What bothers me is that my Trany temp goes through the roof very quickly if your not glancing at it every 30 seconds or so. My RPM's run around 2500-2700 rpm (range where my Volant intake is the absoulute noisiest) at that range my temp can be fine for few minutes then shoot up. At that point I shift down to 3rd and temp drops down fairly quickly.

I have read other treads and posts on this issues and have not figured out if my issue is excessive or in the normal category. What I wish is that there was an idiot light or some other indication when you are getting close to being on the high end of your temp.

As far as tow mode helping or not I am not sure of there. I have always towed with it on. Guess I will try with it off on the next trip and see if I notice anything different.

**loufish** · 04-26-2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

My major gripe is...
I tow about 6000lbs and go through some passes on the way out to the coast. Nothing major by any stretch. While towing I have it in Tow mode and in 4th. What bothers me is that my Trany temp goes through the roof very quickly if your not glancing at it every 30 seconds or so. My RPM's run around 2500-2700 rpm (range where my Volant intake is the absoulute noisiest) at that range my temp can be fine for few minutes then shoot up. At that point I shift down to 3rd and temp drops down fairly quickly.

The truck will pull 4th fine...but it doesn't take much to un-lock the converter and I think that's whats happening to you...high slippage=hi trans temps

Steamguy · 04-27-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghostface

My major gripe is...
I tow about 6000lbs and go through some passes on the way out to the coast. Nothing major by any stretch. While towing I have it in Tow mode and in 4th. What bothers me is that my Trany temp goes through the roof very quickly if your not glancing at it every 30 seconds or so. My RPM's run around 2500-2700 rpm (range where my Volant intake is the absoulute noisiest) at that range my temp can be fine for few minutes then shoot up. At that point I shift down to 3rd and temp drops down fairly quickly.

I have read other treads and posts on this issues and have not figured out if my issue is excessive or in the normal category. What I wish is that there was an idiot light or some other indication when you are getting close to being on the high end of your temp.

As far as tow mode helping or not I am not sure of there. I have always towed with it on. Guess I will try with it off on the next trip and see if I notice anything different.

This is great - well, sorta. You go the very same route as I do, have a trailer that's similar weight. I found that towing that route in 4 with TM OFF is the ticket. I tried it with it on and the torque converter wouldn't stay locked.

Now, on later trucks, the engine and trans ECUs may be different, but this is what I've found on my '04. Thanks for posting - so I'm not crazy after all! (Well about this anyway)