Tow Mode vs. Normal Mode For 6x12 Single Axle Trailer

[vb96]

Hey everyone, new 2025 F150 STX 5.0L v8 owner here! Loving the truck so far! This is my first pick up truck coming from a Honda Civic. Radically different machinery here. I’m so impressed..

I knew that these trucks can tow trailers but wasn’t aware of the tow mode until 400 miles into my trip into the West Virginia mountains.

I was asking some friends and they suggested I used to tow mode as it adjust the shift points, uses engine, breaking, and creates more torque for Towing.

Now that I’m aware of this, I’m using it from now on, but my question is given that it has been really hot lately like anywhere between 87 and 97° and I was going up some pretty steep slopes averaging around 60 MPH, did I damage anything in the transmission or the engine by doing this in normal mode?

Also, for context, I was checking my temperature gauges during the uphill ascents and everything remained stable even when on normal mode, so at least I was aware of that.

hope this helps. I’m looking forward to hearing from everyone.

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[Henfield]

You have nothing to worry about. A trailer that small probably wasn't even noticeable and is very light.
If the 25 STX has the full LCD screen instruments you can monitor an amazing amount of temperature data. About 25% of my miles are towing a 5200lbs trailer with truck on it. First few tows were with a heavier trailer so you can add 1000lbs to that number.

 

[vb96]

Yes, it has that big screen. Haven’t even figured out how to see those gauges you’re talking about. I see more gauges come up on the dash when it’s in tow mode, which I found very helpful but I look forward to discovering what else is on the big screen if that’s what you’re referring to..

Appreciate your quick reply and glad I didn’t screw anything up! ?

 

[Porpoise Hork]

If you notice it shifting odd after which it sometimes does when towing in normal mode just use Forscan to reset the transmission adaptive tables and drive it in sport mode for ab out 150 miles. Then switch to normal and it'll be back to normal.

 

[Mosey]

One thing tow/haul mode does for us turbo guys is it keeps the engine running as long as it is not in park. This keeps both oil and coolant flowing to the turbo bearings cooling them off. Or it makes me feel better, you pick.

 

[Ewheels]

You don't need tow mode for something that light.
I pulled about 6,000 lbs up and down hills in normal mode and it never gave the slightest indication of any struggle.

 

[cpw]

I'm sure that you're fine in any of the drive modes. The truck has a sensor on the transmission, so if the temperature gets too hot it will go into "limp mode". I learned this on my 2014 when the transmission cooler hose blew and I had to get the truck towed to the dealer. It's meant to stop the truck from damaging itself.

 

[flasch192]

Ford used to publish tow/haul was for 5000 pounds plus , been awhile since i looked at an owners manual not sure if they still do ?

 

[vb96]

If you notice it shifting odd after which it sometimes does when towing in normal mode just use Forscan to reset the transmission adaptive tables and drive it in sport mode for ab out 150 miles. Then switch to normal and it'll be back to normal.

Yeah, when I called the service department at the dealership, they said something about the transmission has this “adaptive learning” thing…

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

You may not need it, but it would be better on your transmission and your engine by using tow mode

 

[vb96]

You may not need it, but it would be better on your transmission and your engine by using tow mode

Agreed and now that I know it exists, I will definitely be using it from now on. Also called another trusted mechanic today and he said that many of his customers don’t even know that tow/haul mode exists and they are fine lol..

 

[JumboJVT]

Not to be harsh, but did the truck come with a manual? Did your dealer do a pre-delivery run-through? I seems very odd to me that an owner of a - pickup truck - would not be aware of this. And paying $60K for a vehicle you know nothing about, despite the wealth of knowledge readily available within the very forum you turn to, is simply bizarre. Obviously, some think differently than I.

 

[Goldeneye36]

Not to be harsh, but did the truck come with a manual? Did your dealer do a pre-delivery run-through? I seems very odd to me that an owner of a - pickup truck - would not be aware of this. And paying $60K for a vehicle you know nothing about, despite the wealth of knowledge readily available within the very forum you turn to, is simply bizarre. Obviously, some think differently than I.

It's crazy to me that people still don't know about tow/haul mode. Every F-150 I have owned going back to 2009 has had that available and I'm fairly certain it was a thing on my parent's 2001 Tahoe back in the day. It used to be a button on the end of the column shifter but it accomplished the same thing.

Even still, if I wasn't a weird serial manual reader I would play around with the switches and dials in my new vehicle to see what they do.

 

[vb96]

Not to be harsh, but did the truck come with a manual? Did your dealer do a pre-delivery run-through? I seems very odd to me that an owner of a - pickup truck - would not be aware of this. And paying $60K for a vehicle you know nothing about, despite the wealth of knowledge readily available within the very forum you turn to, is simply bizarre. Obviously, some think differently than I.

The manual is all digital now on the dashboard… I’m old-school and prefer flipping through pages. Dealer did a basic run through, but didn’t explain everything.

 

[Davexxxx]

Not to be harsh, but did the truck come with a manual? Did your dealer do a pre-delivery run-through? I seems very odd to me that an owner of a - pickup truck - would not be aware of this. And paying $60K for a vehicle you know nothing about, despite the wealth of knowledge readily available within the very forum you turn to, is simply bizarre. Obviously, some think differently than I.

The OP came from a Honda Civic and stated it is their first truck. The 2 are very different vehicles, the manual is digital and how many thousand pages?

I've driven pickups around the farm from the time I could reach the pedals, had been here for months and watched numerous youtubes prior to delivery and still, there was a learning curve.

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