Towing guide
When to Use Tow/Haul Mode
Use tow/haul mode under the towing or heavy-load conditions described in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. It changes vehicle behavior, not its weight ratings. The exact changes differ by model and powertrain, so there is no universal shift or activation rule.
A drive mode changes behavior, not the rating
Tow/haul is intended to adapt the vehicle’s response to towing or heavy-load use. On some automatic-transmission vehicles it changes shift scheduling and assists with engine braking. Those functions describe how the vehicle behaves; they do not increase rated payload, GVWR, GCWR, axle limits or the maximum loaded trailer weight rating.[1][2]
Do not treat the button as a solution to an exceeded weight rating, inadequate braking equipment or incorrect trailer loading. Check the loaded setup first. Then use the mode according to the exact vehicle manual, including any stated operating conditions and limitations.
Manufacturer examples show why the details differ
| Documented example | What the documentation describes |
|---|---|
| 2024 Ford F-150 owner’s manual | Towing/heavy-load use; adjusted shifts and downshifting for engine braking on descents |
| 2025 Chevrolet guide: automatic-transmission vehicles | A changed shift schedule for towing or hauling |
| 2025 Chevrolet guide: Silverado EV | Changes to pedal response and steering/chassis behavior rather than the same transmission-shift explanation |
These examples are not a promise that every model has every listed feature. The Silverado EV example is a useful reason not to define tow/haul exclusively as holding transmission gears. Equipment availability and behavior must be confirmed for your own model, year and powertrain.
When should you use it?
The cited F-150 manual recommends tow/haul when towing a trailer or carrying a heavy load. That is a specific manufacturer instruction, not a universal trailer-weight threshold. Locate the corresponding section in your own manual before deciding when and how to activate it.[1]
- Confirm the mode is fitted to your vehicle and read its activation instructions.
- Check the manual’s advice for towing, heavy loads, grades and road conditions.
- Read whether the mode changes other features or must be selected again after restarting.
- Keep trailer brake/controller instructions separate; a drive mode is not a brake-gain setting.
If the manual does not state a weight threshold, do not invent one. There is no site-wide “turn it on above this many pounds” chart. Likewise, do not assume every vehicle retains the mode after an ignition cycle or uses identical dashboard controls.
Do not confuse downhill assistance with a complete braking check
The specific Ford manual describes engine-braking assistance on descents, and Chevrolet discusses grade-braking functions on applicable vehicles. Neither statement eliminates the need for the trailer’s required braking equipment, correct controller procedure or the driving instructions in the exact manual.[1][2]
An unexpected warning, braking issue or behavior not explained by the manual calls for the manufacturer’s troubleshooting guidance, not a guessed mode or controller adjustment from a weight calculator. This page does not prescribe a universal descent speed, gear or brake setting.
Common tow/haul assumptions
- Believing the mode raises towing capacity or payload.
- Applying one truck’s shift behavior to every vehicle, including electric vehicles.
- Using a guessed universal activation threshold instead of the exact manual.
- Treating tow/haul as trailer brake-gain adjustment or proof of adequate braking.
Check the weights before choosing a drive mode
Tow/haul does not change the numbers on the labels. Compare your loaded setup against the ratings you have with the Full Tow Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does tow/haul increase towing capacity?
No. Selecting the mode does not raise the manufacturer’s weight ratings. Its documented behavior should be used within the applicable vehicle and equipment limits.
Should tow/haul always be on with any trailer?
Follow your own vehicle’s manual. Manufacturers can specify different conditions, controls and behavior, so this guide does not give a universal always-on rule or minimum trailer weight.
Does tow/haul do the same thing on an electric truck?
Not necessarily. Chevrolet’s 2025 guide describes Silverado EV tow/haul behavior differently from its automatic-transmission examples. Check the exact powertrain’s documentation rather than assuming a conventional shift schedule.
Sources and scope
Primary documents support the definitions and manufacturer examples. Their model-year and equipment scope matters; the labels and manuals for your exact setup take precedence.
- Ford Motor Company — 2024 F-150 Owner’s Manual — Drive Modes: Tow/Haul2024 F-150, online owner’s manual · Checked
A specific example of recommended heavy-load/towing use, shift changes and engine braking. It is not a universal procedure for other vehicles.
- Chevrolet / General Motors — 2025 Chevrolet Trailering Guide2025 model year · Checked
Trailering-rating qualifications and model-specific tow/haul examples, including the distinction between combustion vehicles and Silverado EV.