towing using cruise control

[Big Bad Allis]

I also use cruise control most of the time when there's little traffic. Even on slight hills my truck doesn't even bother to change gears. Cruise on 65ish and plenty of power to spare makes it fairly uneventful

[bikendan]

only on flat freeways.

[Rolling buckeye]

My 2cts. On the way out to SD from OH, with a built 6.0 pulling approx 10000# cruse not so good. On the way back,towing same #. With cummins,cruse @ 70-75 no prob not many down shifts. Ya I'm that guy... going to fast. ! But once we hit IL slowed to 65,still not many down shifts. That I6 is torquee. The boys noticed how much I liked the manual shift,with engine brake turned on, in WY n CO , what brake pedal ? 8+% grades in WY, down hill,brakes only if coming to a complete stop ! Wow ! Point... With the right torque #'s cruse is ok,but will use more fuel.

[OL Creeker]

The manual for our tv says that with CC engaged, when descending a 7% grade, or better, enable the exhaust brake. Works like a charm - as long as the descent doesn't require a lower speed, due to a curve, I use the CC all the time - when safe - never have a shifting problem, ascending grades. However, when we get our 36CKTS next week, I may have to rethink some of this.

[camper1999]

Originally Posted by jevanb

Always... the Allison is smart and The engine has tons of power, it knows the gear it needs. Even in the big hills it works better then me, and less stressful. below 65 mph is where I stay

that is the exact reason I got a diesel. it never drops a gear unless it is a huge hill

X2

[BuckeyeChuck]

Thanks to those who replied. I think I will use the cruise control only when I'm on flat roads or those with slight Hills. I will tap off the cruise control when I approach steeper grades. I do not put enough miles on my truck (5,000/year) for me to justify a diesel or I would have one. I think that would solve a lot of my problems

[Wumba]

Another cruise control user here. On flat ground, on the highway only. Which isn't too often here in East Tennessee!

[tanddc]

I am a third of the way to red river gorge in Kentucky from Cincinnati and so far the cruise control has been very good to me. (This is my first time ever towing on the highway).

[pt1655]

I use my CC on the flats at 60mph quite a bit but I try and anticipate hills and manually downshift into 4th or other appropriate gear and then upshift at the top. Seems to work good and is easy enough with the shifter button thingy on my 2012 Dodge Ram 1500. If it gets too hilly or lots of turns I don't use it as I have been surprised more than once with some other driver coming the other direction way too far over into my lane around a curve and I have to take action quickly and with the CC on in that situation makes for some white knuckle driving.
Good discussion!

[YoungKopernik]

Lots of good info in this thread so I thought I might add a little that helps me.
I am an avid CC user but like all things it must be used with some common sense. I wish the DMV would make the CC as part of the drivers training; its annoying having a vehicle in front of you raising and lowering their speed at a whim. And I would like to add that all big rig drivers use their CC, when able.
I believe that tapping-out is in many situations the wrong way to disengage the CC. At any time I see brake lights, even momentarily, it alerts me to hazardous issues ahead(deer, road alligator, pot holes,……). We engage our CC with a flick of the thumb its just as easy to flick it off and not harass other drivers unnecessarily. If you are using your brakes to slow down then by all means please brake.
For a tip, that helps me, while on CC I use my trucks “instant MPG” by watching this I know how hard my truck is working. While towing I get 11-9 MPG and my truck is working steady/easy but as the MPG gets down to 7MPG I know the truck is working harder. Finally when the MPG gets to 6 I evaluate how to help the truck(down shift, add fuel, slowdown…). Staying in the power curve by adding fuel before an obvious incline, shifting out of overdrive early and dropping out of CC seems to really help my truck.
This is probably for a separate thread: I also drive by GPS, in the hills and mountains I can see how tight and how far away the next curves will be. I only wish I could see the grade: up, down, how much and how long(maybe in the future we’ll have this info too)
Drive safe and keep the shinny side up
John

[Doering]

Originally Posted by YoungKopernik

For a tip, that helps me, while on CC I use my trucks “instant MPG” by watching this I know how hard my truck is working.

Same here. The EcoBoost equipped trucks come with a very sophisticated readout on many parameters of the truck including immediate, average and past history gas mileage. With instant readouts, you really appreciate how your speed, terrain, wind direction, payload etc. can influence your gas mileage in and out of cruise control.

[11XLITE28BH]

I agree with all the comments on the Allison 6 speed and CC. It seams like the Allison sits in a comfort zone and rarely downshifts while in CC. I use CC all the time and feel comfortable doing so.

[fishman]

The CC on my '05 F250 was horrible. Plus or minus 5 mph as it over-reacted to hills, down shifted, kicked in the turbo... It made for some lousy driving.

My new F350 is a dream on CC. Smooth, powerful, and constant like CC should be. That said, most of my driving is relatively flat and I stay within the speed range of the ST tires. It is a less stressful and more cost effective drive.

I like the suggestion to use the manual tranny when on CC. I'll have to give that a try.

[pt1655]

Good thoughts!
I try and use my CC to keep my speed as consistent at possible; I get better mileage, it's easier on the equipment and less annoying to other drivers!
Wish I could camp as much as you! Maybe soon......
pete

[pappcam]

Only in really hilly terrain would I ever not use cruise control. Some people over analyze things with this whole towing thing. Get the hitch set up correctly, find the speed that you're comfortable with (hopefully around 60-65 mph) and just go. Cruise control makes for a lot more comfortable long driving trips.

IMO, of course.

[Oakman]

I only use cruise control on when I'm driving in very flat terrain. I never use cruise control when driving hills or mountains, I get much better fuel economy with my foot on the accelerator.

[Crankshaft]

Living in the mountainous west, cruise control is never used and I'm used to that so when I do any traveling on the flatlands I forget to use it and soon I am at 70-75 mph before my wife yells at me. I occasionally use it to give my right foot a rest.

[dretired]

Originally Posted by WindJammer2012

Living in the mountainous west, cruise control is never used and I'm used to that so when I do any traveling on the flatlands I forget to use it and soon I am at 70-75 mph before my wife yells at me. I occasionally use it to give my right foot a rest.

letting the right foot/leg un cramp when in light traffic is about the only time i use CC

[dretired]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeChuck

Thanks to those who replied. I think I will use the cruise control only when I'm on flat roads or those with slight Hills. I will tap off the cruise control when I approach steeper grades. I do not put enough miles on my truck (5,000/year) for me to justify a diesel or I would have one. I think that would solve a lot of my problems

I am going to average 4,000- 7,000 miles a year on my F250 diesel ...i love the way that truck tows..its nice having the extra exhaust braking when getting off the freeway...and pulling into loves ...pilots/flying j...T/A travel centers.. diesel truck lanes for re-fueling ...very nice.. and did i mention 800 ft lbs of torque ??

[NewBerkFamily]

What does the towing guide for your vehicle say? Mine says not to do it in the tow guide, but there is no mention of it in the owner's manual. If you have a tow guide for your vehicle definitely check there. I found mine online.

Read most but not all of the previous posts, so sorry if someone already said this!