Using cruise control while towing TT

[2Evil4U]

I use cc but I don't let it shift by itself. If I get into a section where the trans may want to shift I pedal it manually.

[ben31]

Read your owner's manual! It will tell you if you can do it. Likely, yes. However, my first F150, which I used to tow our popup specifically said not to use cruise control, while towing. Albeit, it was about 8 years ago, you still need to at least look at the owner's manual.

[cavie]

I tow an enclosed trailer with my trike and junk in it with a 2016 GMC Canyon. If I'm moving the CC is on, Truck in Tow Mode and I drop the trans into 5th gear and leave it there. What ever the road type. 1500 miles each way for 2 years so far. I make it a habit not to try to over think the engineers.

[Chuck_S]

I use cruise and the full transmission range when towing with my Expeditions. No warnings I could find in the owner's manual regarding using cruise when towing.

Ford tow-haul adds automatic engine braking by downshifting on downgrades even with cruise off. Nice combination that I use in the mountains even when not towing.

-- Chuck

[ependydad]

Cruise control is the only way I can consistently drive so slowly!

[stantyszka]

Originally Posted by Alucke

I currently have a2014 Ford F150 Supercrew 5.0 4x4 with max tow package, that I picked up in July of 2017, I bought a 31ft TT last year. I used the tow/haul mode and never used the cruise control druing towing. The question i have is, am I able to use cruise control while in tow/haul mode and towing the TT on highways?

I ALWAYS use Cruise Control in Tow/Haul when I am on a highway where there is not heavy traffic. If I am going for the brake more than once in a mile I disengage but if traffic is moving and I can stay in a lane it stays on. I've noticed if I let the truck keep the speed I get better gas mileage.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by nomad297

With my truck, cruise control in combination with tow/haul mode is a great thing. In most situations it just “knows what to do.”

Bruce

Same here... and like cavie, I don't try to overthink/out think the engineers.

[Bnrc73]

F350Truck pulling 38’ 5er. Use CC 90% of the time. I’m from the Midwest, so I’ve never towed in a hilly terrain.. On my truck when in towing mode, the CC will not resume. Always have to get back up to speed and set it again. Been told this is a safety feature in towing mode to save stress on the transmission.

[Rogerjs]

I've read it is not a good idea to use cruise control whilst towing. It should NEVER be used in the rain. If your vehicle starts to hydroplane on a wet surface with the control on your vehicle will actually speed up and you will lose control and crash.

[aeblank]

Originally Posted by Rogerjs

I've read it is not a good idea to use cruise control whilst towing. It should NEVER be used in the rain. If your vehicle starts to hydroplane on a wet surface with the control on your vehicle will actually speed up and you will lose control and crash.

True, but overly simplistic.
The hydroplane/accelerate out of control/crash is a common scare (tatic?).

If your vehicle has traction control or stability control or whatever they wish to call it, it'll turn the cruise off if there's any wheel slip. So the "accelerate out of control" is moot.

I use my cruise in the winter. Oh the humanity!

[pburch]

I do use on the interstate set at 63, and I use tow/haul, as well - as a side note; with an 8 speed transmission on my Ram, I have found out towing in 6th gear is a good RPM range, rather than allowing the truck to shift all the way to 8th gear - recently saved almost 1/4 of a tank on a return trip doing this.....

[hiinthesky]

I notice that while I'm in CC and I start to climb a hill (big or small) I will lose 5 MPH or so than the truck will kick into the passing gear to get back to where I had it set. This means my RPMs will go from 2200 to 4000 for about 10 seconds or so to get back to my set speed. If I'm using the gas pedal - as I start to climb a hill and slightly depress the gas pedal to keep to my speed the RPMs will go from 2200 to 3000 and not go into the passing gear and not reach 4000 RPMs thus saving gas.

[Rogerjs]

That’s OK I’m not here to argue anyone’s post but I will stick to my way and remain in control at all times. Each year vehicle manufacturers come out with new electronic safety gear that insurance companies refuse to give reduced premiums for. With apps like UConnect and such I’m not going to trust my mates life or our dogs lives with automatic everything.

[Dirt Sifter]

Originally Posted by Rogerjs

That’s OK I’m not here to argue anyone’s post but I will stick to my way and remain in control at all times. Each year vehicle manufacturers come out with new electronic safety gear that insurance companies refuse to give reduced premiums for. With apps like UConnect and such I’m not going to trust my mates life or our dogs lives with automatic everything.

Good thinking, Roger. Drive by the seat of your pants and control. I use CC on rural freeways and open rural 2 lane highways, any traffic, grades, or weather and it comes off so I have control.... But, I also use a flip phone.

[Slow Moon]

Originally Posted by hiinthesky

I notice that while I'm in CC and I start to climb a hill (big or small) I will lose 5 MPH or so than the truck will kick into the passing gear to get back to where I had it set. This means my RPMs will go from 2200 to 4000 for about 10 seconds or so to get back to my set speed. If I'm using the gas pedal - as I start to climb a hill and slightly depress the gas pedal to keep to my speed the RPMs will go from 2200 to 3000 and not go into the passing gear and not reach 4000 RPMs thus saving gas.

This works for me with my 2006 F250 Superduty and a 14K lb 5er for Interstate overpasses and very small hills. Any hill more than overpass will kick the passing gear, so I kick off the CC. I use overdrive and have not tried CC in "Tow/Haul."

[BarabooBob]

aeblank-Do you know that you are going to hell for using CC in the winter? My dad told me so. Only kidding.
I use my cc with my F150, 3.5 ecoboost, 6 speed auto in Tow/haul most of the time. I have not been to the Rockies with this combination yet but going up Black Mountain in North Carolina was not a problem. Going down (headed east) CC was not even a consideration because of the steep grade, sharp curves and heavy truck traffic.

[PSU Turf]

Cruise control + exhaust brake + tow / haul + Allison trans = relaxed driving and great vehicle control.

[Tall frog]

Originally Posted by PSU Turf

Cruise control + exhaust brake + tow / haul + Allison trans = relaxed driving and great vehicle control.

We have used the cc with tow hall and exhaust break, just set speed that works for your condition and I let it do it's thing. Better mileage and no stress even with 5-6 percent grades up or down, let the truck do it's thing. We tow a 14,000 lb 5th wheel and never had it feel out of control.

[Chuck_S]

"Passing gear?" Haven't heard that since the 1960s.

With multispeed automatic transmissions gears shift all the time. The 8 or 10 speed boxes will shift more often. A good headwind will drop my unloaded and sans trailer Expedition from 6th to 5th. It's normal.

Using cruise control on slippery surfaces is a no-no according to my owner's manual.

-- Chuck

[Alucke]

I was asking because I am kind a newbie with towing a TT. My 2014 F150 5.0 super crew has a 6 speed tranny, tow/haul mode. And I only actually towed the trailer a total 6 times last year, due to my cancer diagnosis in May, and finally being cancer free be Christmas last. This year we have more trips planned, and plan on going further away from Pittsburgh. Thank you for all the input, it was extremely helpful.