6R80 Tow/Haul Mode

[Ruddy]

Anybody know why the 4.6L 6R80 in the F150 got this feature and our Explorers didn't?
Will be towing a travel trailer this summer and it would be helpful. My understanding is that it will hold RPM's longer before shifting and has a downhill tap brake downshift mode.(like our '09 Escape 3.0)

 

[Mbrooks420]

Pretty sure it was an option, or standard on towing package equipped vehicles. I know on at least the next generation it can be added.

 

[Ruddy]

I was looking at the 2010 (my year) brochure and there is no mention of it. The tow package for V8's is just the hitch and wiring.
I suppose Ford felt this was too "trucky" of a feature for a vehicle that will mostly haul kids around. Interesting though it can be done on the next year Turbo cars.

 

[drakon543]

my 07 mountaineer has it but the button is labeled as o/d. i know old tow haul modes it basically did the same thing as o/d button so im not sure if there's some extra special with a specific tow mode. also mine is the 4.0 that would need the extra umph more so than a v8.

 

[MotorCityFats13]

tow/haul locks out 6th and 5th gear where o/d only locks out top gear

 

[Ruddy]

The O/D button on mine drops it down 2 gears to 4th and it will never go to 5th. Many people ask about a mod where only 6th is locked out.
Reading F150 sites, the tow/haul mode expands the rpm range before a shift is triggered so there is not so much hunting. It also will hold a gear on downhill runs and has the tap brake to downshift mode.
To get to my house on a 2 lane road I have an 800' elevation drop from the freeway. If I start at the top at 40mph and never touch the gas pedal, it will keep increasing speed and up-shifting until hitting 6th. Of course I can turn off O/D to coast in 4th and on the steepest section shift to 3rd.

 

[thebrakeman]

4th gen SUV did not have a tow/haul mode, with or without the HD towing package.
The button simply locks out all OD gears, with or without towing package, V6 (5th gear) or V8 (5th and 6th).
It sucks, but it is what it is.