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Old 06-06-2013, 12:55 PM   #1
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do you tow with cruise?

i think it isnt recommended...but do you? depending on traffic and road conditions.
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Old 06-06-2013, 01:00 PM   #2
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Depends on the terrain. If i'm in hilly areas, no, but flat land or most interstates, yes. Again, if there are enough hills that the transmission starts to hunt, I switch it off. I've found that I'm willing to slow down a bit towards the top of the hill to keep the transmission in 4th; the cruise control insists on keeping the same speed (that's its job) and I end up using more gas, making more noise, and more wear & tear on the transmission as it shifts down to 3rd or even 2nd. More of a problem on the secondary roads I prefer to drive than on interstates.
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Old 06-06-2013, 01:03 PM   #3
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I tow in cruise whenever I can. I modified my cruise so that it isn't as sensitive and will do most freeways without kicking down. Same as the tow mode that most newer tv's have. of coarse I also have a low speed rear end that I ordered when new. So my engine turns at 2200 rpm at 60 miles per hour in overdrive and 2800 when in straight high gear.
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Old 06-06-2013, 01:09 PM   #4
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I tow with cruise all the time. I have a 5 speed standard, and leave it in 4th, very rarely shifting, even on long trips. Once in a great while I may downshift to 3rd to make a hill, but that is very rare.

If I had an automatic, I would have to leave it in drive (not OD) to use cruise. I have to use cruise because of a medical condition, so it's not an option not using it.

We hope to get a new tow vehicle maybe next year, and it will be automatic. Not sure if I can buy new or not, so we'll just have to see. At the same time, we'll be looking for a 16' or 17' late model egg we can afford. Bed size is critical!

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Old 06-06-2013, 01:32 PM   #5
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I have an automatic and I dont use cruise very often for the reason Jon in post #2 indicated.... way to much hunting up and down by the transmission, more noise and more wear and tear on the transmission.
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Old 06-06-2013, 01:57 PM   #6
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Did you read some of the posts here in re: overdrive
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ive-58557.html
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Old 06-06-2013, 02:59 PM   #7
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Yes, also five speed. I tow in 5th with cruise; if I'm doing hills in 4th then I am not using it.
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Old 06-07-2013, 07:10 AM   #8
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Jon's answer would be my answer with this in addition to what he said: I also find that towing in cruise is less tiring on long distances than not using it. I mention this because I'm an old fart and tire more easily than I used to and I take longer to recuperate. That said, I can fairly easily do a 600 mile day the first day. After the first the mileage length of my days gets shorter.
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Old 06-07-2013, 07:59 AM   #9
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Yes, I like to use cruise when possible. I don't use it in hills or heavy traffic. Uncrowded interstates or highways, no problem.
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Old 06-07-2013, 08:16 AM   #10
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V6 Rav4 - I use it on the flats all the time. My wife NEVER uses it. I like it. She hates it. Go figure.
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Old 06-07-2013, 09:25 AM   #11
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Yup!
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Old 06-07-2013, 01:01 PM   #12
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thx for answers...i was afraid i was doing something really bad. i also need it for medical reason and i guess i'm also old too. but i only do it when road is wide open and flat...and its easy on the car...thanks jim. i hadnt seen that. i'll look now.
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Old 06-08-2013, 05:39 AM   #13
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Just did a 1600 mile trip, 95% of it with cruise on. Cruise doesn't make the transmission hunt, having an underpowered vehicle for the trailer weight does. I get the point, you can back out of the gas and slow down going uphill so it won't shift, but that's not really the fault of cruise control. I keep mine out of overdrive when towing, set cruise, and kick back. In overdrive on the way up, it shifted all over the place, and unlocked the torque converter. With overdrive off on the way back, it never kicked down once, and the converter stayed locked.
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Old 06-08-2013, 07:27 AM   #14
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That is the way to do it Jared, with overdrive off or in tow mode if that is available. Otherwise if in overdrive with cruise it downshifts at the slightest hill.

I'm surprised they have not improved the mechanical cruise control with a computerized system that eliminates those down shifts and passing gear upshifts while in cruise mode.
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Old 06-08-2013, 09:37 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jared J View Post
I keep mine out of overdrive when towing, set cruise, and kick back.
This is my practice also. It is the only way to keep the speed down to 55mph for me.
Without it I am unable to keep a constant speed, and fluctuate +/- 5 mph.
Using cruise prevents my sciatica from flaring up as well.
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Old 06-08-2013, 11:49 AM   #16
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I did use cruise occasionally when it was working. It gives your leg a break on long trips with flat terrain. Also when in flatter terrains I use overdrive, when the terrain prompts hunting, I drop down to drive. Return to OD when things level out. Also depends on the speed, my tranny seems to have a shift point around 80 KmPH or 50 MPH.
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Old 06-08-2013, 08:20 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Vermilye View Post
Depends on the terrain. If i'm in hilly areas, no, but flat land or most interstates, yes. Again, if there are enough hills that the transmission starts to hunt, I switch it off. I've found that I'm willing to slow down a bit towards the top of the hill to keep the transmission in 4th; the cruise control insists on keeping the same speed (that's its job) and I end up using more gas, making more noise, and more wear & tear on the transmission as it shifts down to 3rd or even 2nd. More of a problem on the secondary roads I prefer to drive than on interstates.
Exactly what I do!
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