Plowing with your Tundra - Tow / Haul Mode??

Just bought a DK2 Snowplow (link: https://claveberg.com/product/dk2-82-x-19-t-frame-snow-plow-kit-aval8219elt/) and am getting ready for plow season. Did a little plowing when I was younger, but curious if those of you who plow with your trucks, do you use the tow/haul function?

 

I did a little plowing in my truck when I was younger too. The biggest issues were the windows fogging up.

 

Won't hurt to use it

 

I've got a 2007 DC with 5.7L and Fisher minute mount plow.

I only do our own driveway, but have not used tow/haul for it....

SPP

 

Thanks SPP. That's probably all I will do, maybe occasionally bail the in-laws out with their long, steep driveway, but mine is just big and flat. Didn't plan on using anything other than 4wd, but saw some older threads on plow sites that talked about older (different) trucks using that feature. Figured I would ask the wealth of knowledgeable folks here to see if there was any updated info!

 

4low of course and tow haul would certainly assist

 

Yeah my truck is pretty much stuck in the snow if its not in 4WD, especially with the plow on the front.

SPP

 

Plowing snow can be hard on an automatic transmission.

 

I don't think I would use tow/haul mode. It seems to increase the throttle tip in which would increase wear when plowing.

 

wondering why you would use 4lo not high? I know you’re not supposed to go fast obviously, but just trying to learn!

 

Running in 4hi at slow speeds can overheat your transmission, and with your truck being a 2020, you already lack an external transmission cooler. 4lo will keep the torque converter locked and prevent the heat from locking and unlocking that happens in 4hi. General rule, if you are going under 15-20 MPH and want 4WD use low range.

 

that’s good info to have. Much appreciated!

 

I would not use it to plow snow. Throttle is too sensitive.

 

If you're plowing your driveway and possibly the in-laws, I wouldn't worry about wear and tear. Trucks aren't that sensitive. Just use common sense and don't do dumb things like hitting big mounds with speed. 4H and drive mode should be plenty for what you're doing.


If you were doing it commercially (As in for multiple houses throughout your day) then that could change the plan.

 

Thanks for the input! I’m not too concerned about the west and tear either. Like you pointed out, won’t be hammering the truck with hours of plowing, and likely won’t be driving around very far with the plow on anyway.

once it snows I’ll start messing around with different modes and techniques and see what works best.

 

Also, kind of like with towing, it may not hurt to get scanguage or something to monitor your transmission temps. Just to play it safe.

 

My truck is pretty much parked once the plow goes on, other than doing the driveway...already got enough rust underneath (which is probably not too bad) and not looking for anymore from driving on salted roads.

Fortunate to be retired, and have our '09 Highlander to drive instead.

One thing that surprises me is, despite being driven all through the winters here, the Highlander has very little rust compared to the Tundra.

Why is that?

SPP

 

I do some plowing with mine and never used tow/haul. Don’t need it as the plow only weighs 400 pounds.
I’m usually in 4HI and probably should have been in LO for some driveways. I haven’t plowed since I got my scangauge so I have no idea what my trans temps were during those times.

 

wonder if it has to do with ground clearance and what gets kicked up by the tundra vs what kicks up from the Highlander?

my parents have a Highlander older than my tundra, wonder if theirs is the same scenario, but they drive a lot less than me!