Towing in the mountains

[Yahooligan]

Originally Posted by jbglenn

Harness comes with Big Tow package. The prodigy is the best IMO. I got mine from camping world for 99.00 shipped. Good luck, if start to overheat turn off the tow mode.

I don't know why you keep saying that, it's a load of hooey. If you insist on repeating yourself, please back it up with some proof as to WHY tow mode would cause the trans to overheat. That's rather bass ackwards and makes absolutely zero sense.

[AF-Medic]

Originally Posted by Yahooligan

I don't know why you keep saying that, it's a load of hooey. If you insist on repeating yourself, please back it up with some proof as to WHY tow mode would cause the trans to overheat. That's rather bass ackwards and makes absolutely zero sense.

Plenty of posts on it already. Search Tow mode and see some of steamguy's response. Personally I dont care, blow your tranny up. I'm just trying to share some info that has been posted here many times. I will repeat for everyone else. If it heats up in tow mode, switch out and tow in 3rd. It WILL drop your tranny temps. Do you even tow anything yourself Hooligan?

[Yahooligan]

Originally Posted by jbglenn

Plenty of posts on it already. Search Tow mode and see some of steamguy's response. Personally I dont care, blow your tranny up. I'm just trying to share some info that has been posted here many times. I will repeat for everyone else. If it heats up in tow mode, switch out and tow in 3rd. It WILL drop your tranny temps. Do you even tow anything yourself Hooligan?

Searched and found the thread you're talking about, but it seems to ONLY be an issue with 2004 Titans. Likely a change in the programming after the first MY quirks.

Yes I tow, yes I use tow mode, always have. The only time I have tranny temp problems is going up a long grade in 4th gear with the RPMs at 2500 or less. Dropping into 3rd gear results in immediate drop in trans temps because there is nothing wrong with the cooling ability of the system but the RPMs are not high enough to provide adequate fluid flow to carry the heat away from the trans. Those of you towing TTs of any decent size know it doesn't take much throttle to unlock the T/C in 4th or 5th. The T/C does not lock in 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear.

My tranny won't blow up, but thanks for the concern. Dropping into 3rd is what drops the temps, not turning off Tow Mode, especially considering once you're in 3rd gear the T/C will not lock regardless of Tow Mode being on or off. However, since you're the expert on this subject, what is the technical reason that turning Tow Mode off in 3rd gear will have a different effect than Tow Mode on in 3rd gear?

There very well could be an issue/quirk with the MY04 Titans and their programming that causes the trans to heat up in 4th when it shouldn't, but again that is the first model year of the truck. I don't see anyone with an '05 or newer with the same complaint, including myself.

People are going to do what works best for them, but it also helps to pay attention to the specifics and facts so you don't take situation that only applies to a certain year of truck and turn it into something that affects ALL years. A blanket statement telling everyone to never tow with Tow Mode on is hogwash as shown by posts in the very thread you suggested reading. Someone posted that their 04 heated up with the same load on the same road when their newer Titan didn't while using Tow Mode.

Tow Mode off for '04s? Sure, I'll buy that after what people have said. Tow Mode off for ALL years? Absolutely not.

BTW, Hooligan is someone else.

[loufish]

Those of you towing TTs of any decent size know it doesn't take much throttle to unlock the T/C in 4th or 5th.

I think that's the real issue, many people towing in 4th gear and not knowing that the T/C has unlocked...mine unlocks real easy.
Maybe the newer Titans keep the T/C locked up better...All this still has nothing to do with the Tow Mode.
I always tow with the TM on, I recomend it to others. No proof at all that it's a problem.