Cruise Control?

[djurden]

I have a 2015 Ford F-250 Super Duty pulling a 35’ Windjammer. I use the cruise control. But I read somewhere that you shouldn’t use the cruise control while towing.

Do you use cruise control while towing? If not, why?

[5picker]

I do, mostly on the interstates.
Cruise on in Tow/Haul mode does a fine job of keeping you at 62-65 MPH.

[timfromma]

If you have a diesel, the exhaust brake will work with your cruise control to maintain speeds on downhill grades without needing to use the brake pedal.

[PhoneDude 8289]

X2 like 5Picker, wouldn't roll without it.

[spurticus]

For whatever reason, my gas mileage goes down slightly when using CC. I have a F250 diesel pulling a 32’ Heritage Glen.

[formerFR]

sounds like an old wives tale.... why would 'cruise' be any different than your foot on the gas pedal? probably nothing!

[ManlyMan]

I rarely use cruise control when towing unless I’m towing in a flat state. Cruise control can’t anticipate hills so when your vehicle losses speed on the incline cruise control has to give a lot a fuel to get back up to speed on the incline.

Using your foot you can increase you speed slightly as you approach the hill and it is easier to maintain that speed going up. This is especially true of mountain grades. And yes, I get better fuel mileage using my foot rather than cruise control.

Having said that I do occasionally use cruise control to give my leg a rest on extended trips.

[david_reaves]

I frequently use cruise control when pulling my Windjammer on the Interstate. I have a Ram/Dodge rather than a Ford, but pulling with cruise in Tow/Haul hasn't been an issue for the truck in about 20,000 miles of pulling.

[NMWildcat]

We use cruise nearly always. On steep hills I use the accelerater to anticipate them earlier than the cruise will, then let off at the top to return to cruise.

The only time I don't use cruise is in town, or curvy, slow mountain roads. Cruise is your friend.

While towing, I don't see any difference in mpg between using cruise or not. Definitely better mpg using cruise when not towing

[walaby]

I use it all the time, unless it's raining. If I am in hilly terrain, I may take it off, depending on how the truck is performing.

Just another example about why you can't believe everything you read.

Mike

[rjc1024]

Personally, I wouldn't want to tow without cruise on the highway. I liked cruise with my gas motor but I find that cruise works really well in hilly terrain with a diesel.

[Kaadk]

As far as MPGs, when you're only getting 8-9 MPG in the first place, the difference cruise/non-cruise makes is fairly negligible. Either way it still sucks.

I tend to use cruise mostly to avoid speeding when not towing. When towing, I'm paying more attention to my speed anyways, as I want to generally keep under my ST tires limits of 65 MPH, so I'm not worried about the speeding factor and therefore, don't need to use cruise.

[Halfmast]

I'm almost too lazy to RV, so I love cruise control. When I was pulling with a gasser, my gauge was to listen to the transmission. If it was constantly 'hunting' for the right gear, disengage the cruise control.

[timfromma]

When I'm towing, I still find myself inadvertently speeding. My truck handles my camper so well, that I honestly forget sometimes that I'm towing a 36' trailer. Cruise control keeps my speed in check when my mind wanders.

[Lins]

I always tow with cruise control, along with Tow/Haul mode and the exhaust brake on as long as the roads aren't slick. With the Ram HDs, we can lock out higher gears if we want. As I approach a large hill or mountain, I'll lockout 6th gear as 5th typically puts the engine in a nice power band for heading up the hills at the speed we typically travel at, and it doesn't downshift harsh while under load. Nice easy steady pulling.

[Wileykid]

Most of the newer trucks all have the cruise control integrated with the brakes, tranny, and if diesel, the exhaust brake. I use the cruise a lot, and it is interesting when I start going down a hill to feel the tranny downshift, and then if needed the exhaust brake come on without my foot having the tap the brakes. And most important for me, my truck has no problem pulling my trailer at any speed and it helps keep me in check.

Mark

[thebrakeman]

Originally Posted by formerFR

sounds like an old wives tale.... why would 'cruise' be any different than your foot on the gas pedal? probably nothing!

A steady foot will always get better gas mileage than using cruise control. Going up a hill, the CC will step into the gas to maintain speed, and it's constantly adjusting the throttle. Steady foot keeps the torque convertor locked up. CC will step into things as much as needed to hold speed, which will unlock the convertor, and downshift.

[BandJCarm]

I use it any time that up/down shifting is probably not going to occur.

It's either that or hip surgery, so..........................

[dalford]

I run with the cc on. If in hilly terrain I lock out 6th gear and run in 5th. See very little difference in fuel mileage but a big difference in response to hills and declines. 5th gear can usually get the truck up the hill, unless it is a big one, without downshifting and allows the exhaust brake to react harder on the way down... 6th with cc on will downshift even on some bridges, lol.

[babock]

I bought adaptive cruise control on my new 2018 F-150. That along with the 10 speed transmission is awesome. Can hardly tell when there is a downshift.