I have a 2009 2500 Hemi, and pull about 6,000 lbs. I just got this truck about 3 weeks ago, and was wondering which setting to use. Last time I pulled my trailer I used Tow Haul.

Which one should a guy use pulling this much weight. I read the owners manual and it says nothing about when to use one over the other.

I would think Tow Haul would get better MPG, but don't know if it is safe with 6,000 lbs.

 

That's what the "tow haul" button is for. When towing, depress it, and forget it!

 

The manual says Tow Haul still uses 4th gear OD, but not 5th. The O/D Off only uses 1 - 3 no overdrive. The manual says to use O/D Off when needed, but never states when you know it is needed. I would guess if you were in a lot of hills to use O/D Off, and use Tow Haul when you are on flat land with just a few hills.

Not sure if I should be using any overdrive 4 or 5th when I am pulling over 6,000 lbs. That is why I asked the question.

 

If you have a bunch of hills in your area then use tow/haul. If you don't have any real hills around then don't use tow/haul. I have never used the o/d off button on any vehicle while towing. All tow/haul does is hold gears longer and shifts to help you come to a stop. Also 6k pounds behind a 2500 is not much weight at all. I pull around that much with my 1500truck all the time and don't have any trouble.

 

Use Tow/Haul anytime you are towing. It will put less strain on the transmission. That is what it is there for.
Use overdrive off when you are pulling steep grades and the transmission is constantly shifting back and forth between 4th & 3rd (maybe even 2nd) to keep the transmission from overheating.

 

In most trucks Tow/Haul on is the same as O/D off, but I would say use the tow haul mode regardless of the weight, it will save you a burned out transmission in the long run.

 

Tow/Haul mode always when towing and OD off. It has always been that way OD off because you will find if you don't it will constantly switch in and out of overdrive depending on hills, wind etc. and the trans will overheat. Of course you are going to get a bit less mileage but it's a truck if you can't handle that fact sell it.

 

Thanks guys.

From what I have found is that tow/haul changes shift patterns and does not use OD 5th gear.

The OD/Off setting only uses 1 - 3 not 4th or 5th OD, so you would use this when you are in some really big hills over the tow/haul setting.

For me I think I will just keep it in tow/haul our hills are not that big around here.

 

You are welcome. You have the right idea!

 

Unless they changed it in 09, tow/haul mode uses 1,2,3&4 and locks out 5th. It also delays the 2-3 and 3-4 shifts OD off locks out 4th and 5th.