Tow haul button - newbie question

New to this forum and to Tundras in general. Did a search for "Tow haul button" and only came up with one result about a guy complaining he had to push it every time he starts his truck. OK.

Anyway, my question is what exactly does the Tow Haul button do? I feel increased ability to get to speed, but is it more fuel? Different shift points for transmission? Will I actually get better mileage by using the button when my camper is loaded, or does it just give me better performance and actually decrease my mpg? Thanks for reading my question...

 

All of the above but better gas mileage.

 

It just stops the gears from searching continually for lower gears while towing/hauling.

Sticks to the lower gears while engaged and gives you more power and torque while pulling a load.

Fun "beast mode" is tow/haul on and trac control off. Not recommended for daily usage or while towing but still fun!!

 

@COMiamiFan so do you drive in tow haul all day everyday? =P

 

Tow / Haul Ass! After reading the discussions here and understanding how to disable the "Nannies", it's an endless source of fun.

Plus everything that they said above

 

Ha! Wish. Only drive my truck on the weekends. Sits nice and comfy in the garage most of the week.

 

not good to use it unless you're towing/hauling.

 

Oh, I"m hauling alright
Works wonders on the mountain passes.

 

now THAT I support!!

 

Lol i was trying to figure out if people are being sarcastic about better gas mileage... lol

How could you garage your tundra all week! I don't even have mine yet and i'm itching to drive it! lol

 

It ain't easy. I see all these bad ass Tundras around driving and I miss mine. But I know it's safe in its cocoon; safe from the world. Protected from evil. But also saving gas and wear and tear just to drive to work. Rather save those miles for the weekend doing something fun.

 

No, it really does help with gas mileage when towing. your engine doesn't have to work so hard in high gear to pull the load.

 

So what about when your not towing anything

 

I drove mine instead of my work truck today and can't help but enjoying it more

 

When I tow my travel trailer, the Tow/Haul button keeps it in lower gears longer when accelerating and holds it in lower gears when you are going down a grade (uses engine/transmission braking more aggressively so you don't burn up your brakes). It does not increase gas mileage at all for me. Don't see how it would be possible since it keeps the vehicle in lower gears. But it does keep the revs up and allows you to use the torque better to Tow/Haul. I think it also triggers the sway control software to be more sensitive. All the 5.7 with Tow Package have the sway control software built in.

 

Yeah, but so much fun...I drove home in beast mode today....and literally watched the gas needle go down, haha

3" lifted Tundra + Beast mode + BAM system = cars get the hell out of your way quick like...makes for an easy ride home. LOL

 

Oh I still do it every now and again! LOL

just drove home in BEAST Mode!! So much fun! LOL

 

Nope. Probably worse gas mileage LOL

 

I used the towed and s max at 4th gear, engine was reving.high Unnecessarily..and used more gas than tow in drive.. Un in Tampa bay is all flat land in the mountains you might need tow and s to keep tranny from frequent shifting...don't know about using towing with no extra weight

 

Can we just call it what it is?.....its the buy new rear tires button.

 

Sounds like there may be some younger fun seeking types here. I'm old and interested in economy and long life with trouble free operation. Did all the motorcycle racing when I was younger, now I ADV ride at a slower pace. But thanks for all the input and experience.

 

A friend of mine has a Gen 2 so I let him drive mine without telling him I put it in beast mode. He damn near filled the holes in the vented seats. I told him he should have waited a year since all the Gen 3's come with this specialy tuned motor. He still doesn't know.

 

I was wondering about that. If you're running bigger tires and haven't re-geared (yet), is it "bad" to run tow/haul mode? I feel like my tranny isn't working as hard and actually get better gas mileage with the bigger tires in t/h mode for daily driving.

Would appreciate anyone knowledgeable and their opinions.

 

I'm no expert, but i don't think it helps your gas mileage. Again, any time you are in lower gears = more torque, but less efficient. However, with bigger tires, tow haul mode keeping you in lower gears makes the truck feel more responsive (more torque).

 

I know the function isn't supposed to or shouldn't help with gas mileage, especially in a truck with smaller tires. And while it's counter intuitive to me, after moving up from 33s to 35s and driving for a week or so in both modes, my mpg has been better driving in t/h.

Also, I couldn't care less about mpg. What I'd like to know is if it's harder on the truck driving in t/h all the time. Don't want to be putting unessecary wear if I can easily avoid it.
(Edit: not trying to sound rude btw gdiep)

 

No offense taken. I don't know if it is harder on the truck. Basically, you're riding in lower gears longer, but your engine rpms may not be that much different because of the larger tires' affect on the gearing. Somebody with more knowledge will come along and enlighten us.

 

That's a good question.

Not sure if it's bad on your truck in that case.

 

my bank account and myself both wish

 

Soon my friend. My accountant already gave me the go ahead, but I'm the one trying very hard to be practical. Being a grown up sucks