Cruise control and towing

[Imo.]

I recently bought a new pick-up with lots of modern stuff like power everything, my last pick-up was ordered without the bells and whistles.

Anyway, I now have cruise control and was wondering if it should be used while towing my 13 footer.....I know one should not use if really windy, bumper to bumper traffic, in snow, ice, and perhaps rain. I generally travel about 60 MPH and avoid interstates when I can.

Thanks.

[Byron Kinnaman]

I use mine while towing. 2005 Dakota 4.7l magnum.

[Cathi]

Our manual says no towing with cruise control. At first I thought that that would be a real inconvenience but no cruise and no problem. We don't go far in a day though.

[Alf S.]

Hi: Imo... Cruise control is generally used while on the Interstates. Long stretches of fairly flat boring travel. Then I will use it. When traffic gets thick and in hilly terrain it's off!!!
Interstates are great for getting some where quickly...but you don't see anything on the way.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Kevin A]

Since our vacation days are limited, we often go long stretches on the interstates to get places quickly. The cruise is on when possible and safe.

[EddyEd]

I actually asked my mechanic about this before I went on my last long trip with my 13' Cloud and he said as long as the transmission isn't shifting different gears constantly to keep up that driving with cruise on and O/D engaged would be fine.
Like others have said basically flat open road is the only time I didn't see some shifting happening with my Jeep Liberty.

[Jim Bennett]

I use mine on the open road too. When roads are hilly or curvy, I like to stay on top of things, and not use the cruise.

[rgrugg]

I pretty much ditto what the above posters said. Whenever feasible I use cruise regardless of which trailer I'm towing. I use od regularly with our Egg Camper but never with our Kodiak because it's too much weight for our engine/transmission combo.

[Steve L.]

My Ford owner's guide says OD is fine as long as the transmission isn't hunting up and down for a gear frequently.

[Robin G]

Personally I never use it....... Even when not towing! I don't care for it. My 09 Tacoma has never even had it turned on.


As long as your vehicle owners manual says it's ok with your vehicle brand go for it. Just don't become one of those that think just because they aren't controling the gas pedal they don't have to actually drive! Some people put cruise control on their brain the minute they hit the switch!

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Robin G

Personally I never use it....... Even when not towing! I don't care for it. My 09 Tacoma has never even had it turned on.

I'm with Robin. My truck is a 2000 and the only reason I have it is because it came with the truck. I don't even know if it works! (and don't care)

[David Tilston]

I can't seem to find the cruse control on my 95 Firefly, or the power steering, or .... Oh ya.

[Gene Masse]

I agree with the rest. Everything I have read or been told is to not use the cruise if your tranny is shifting a lot. Only on flat long stretches.

[Fran L]

And don't use it in bad weather like rain or snow/sleet. You could end up in an out of control hydroplane situation....with a trailer!

[Weinel, Alan]

Our '08 F-150, 4.2 V-8 (small one) is being pushed by a 19' Scamp deluxe 5er.

I use CC **all the time**

I try to run around 60'ish (tho the Calif speed limit is 55 when towing), and even on NON interstate it runs nice with cruise. As said above, if the tranny starts shifting i disengage until I hit better road conditions.

[Imo.]

thanks for all the information, hints, advice......for regular driving i sometimes use CC and sometimes not.....depending on the road I'm on and how uppy/downey it is. it does keep my speed down but also makes me think I'm just around for the ride and not as involved in the driving experience. For towing I will most likely just poke along and watch the scenery.

Happy thanksgiving......

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Gene Masse

I agree with the rest. Everything I have read or been told is to not use the cruise if your tranny is shifting a lot. Only on flat long stretches.

Cruise control will (in most cars) work in any gear above 27 MPH. I commonly use mine in third gear(manual transmission) in town on several streets which go long distances at low speeds. I also use the cruise when towing my 13 Scamp.

[Darwin Maring]

Use the cruse when on flat level highway.

[Weinel, Alan]

Originally Posted by floyd

Cruise control will (in most cars) work in any gear above 27 MPH. I commonly use mine in third gear(manual transmission) in town on several streets which go long distances at low speeds. I also use the cruise when towing my 13 Scamp.

Yup. I OFTEN use it in town. The next town south is VERY strict about speed enforcement, and CC is one way to be SURE I don't get a little heavy on the foot.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Imo.

For towing I will most likely just poke along and watch the scenery.

Originally Posted by Weinel, Alan

CC is one way to be SURE I don't get a little heavy on the foot.

Cruise Control is the only I can keep my speed down to 55 mph on the interstates. It is also the only way I can keep at a constant speed, best for optimum fuel economy. Otherwise I am constantly varying speed within a 5 mph window while manually operating the accelerator. I will drop out of overdrive when the terrain is not flat, and I will disengage the Cruise and operate manually when the speed lags to 5 mph below the Cruise Control setting due to hill climbing.

Without Cruise Control I would need crutches to walk due to Sciatica.