Towing
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 352
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From: Moose Jaw Saskatchewan
Not to be an a$$ but I am curious what your reasoning for that statement is. The computer knows best how to run the truck IMO and I set it at abt 62mph and go, they will even try and maintain speed downhill by down shifting when needed. At least mine have always worked that way, even my Dodges did that. That and the fact these trucks so easily haul that before you know it they have easily exceeded the 65mph safe limit for the trailer tires.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Not to be an a$$ but I am curious what your reasoning for that statement is. The computer knows best how to run the truck IMO and I set it at abt 62mph and go, they will even try and maintain speed downhill by down shifting when needed. At least mine have always worked that way, even my Dodges did that.
The Owner's Manual alludes to this:
When towing a trailer:
• Turn off the speed control.
I am not going as far as the Owner's Manual, I am just saying be careful.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: Moose Jaw Saskatchewan
I guess I always assumed nobody used cruise at all when the roads are slippery seems to be common sense, but then we drive most of the winter on roads with glare ice around here so I guess we have a different perspective. With my Dodge I got to know when it was going to downshift and I would generally force a shift to keep it from dropping too much speed. Also I guess I should have said I only haul our TT in the summer, I haul my 18' flat deck in the winter to get water but that is on dirt roads all the way so no cruise on there either.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 35
From: South Carolina
I heard a story, maybe false, of a guy who rented a vehicle with cruise control, and wrecked it when he thought is was like auto-pilot. He failed to steer, thinking that it was unnecessary.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 655
From: Sioux Falls Area
I love to use cruise when towing. as said before, it is easy to be watching everything on the road and not your speed, so you end up driving too fast.
that being said, on many vehicles (new f150 for example) i find the cruise control is far to agressive trying to hold speed or accelerate up hills and causes the trans to shift needlessly.
our current SD and my explorer seem to be calibrated much more conservitavely and dont seem to continually add throttle input until the vehicle is at the set speed again. my f150 at work and my old f150 at work both just keep adding throttle regardless if the truck was gaining speed or not. my 2010 seems to always downshift 1 year about 3mph before the speed is reached, even though it was already gaining speed.
that being said, on many vehicles (new f150 for example) i find the cruise control is far to agressive trying to hold speed or accelerate up hills and causes the trans to shift needlessly.
our current SD and my explorer seem to be calibrated much more conservitavely and dont seem to continually add throttle input until the vehicle is at the set speed again. my f150 at work and my old f150 at work both just keep adding throttle regardless if the truck was gaining speed or not. my 2010 seems to always downshift 1 year about 3mph before the speed is reached, even though it was already gaining speed.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
I'll use cruise control when towing on flat roads, or slow inclines like on the interstate etc. But around towns, in hilly terrain, etc. I don't use it. Like meborder says, it's too aggressive and seems to downshift and speed up too much, and then it overshoots, and then slows down, etc. I find it easier to just let my foot control the throttle, keep it from switching gears, etc.
As far as bad weather, cruise control should never really be used in the rain, snow, etc, towing or not. It's too easy for the vehicle to shift when you aren't expecting it and cause the vechicle to lose traction/control. It is scary how many people don't realize that though. In my opinion that should be taught in driver's ed, be on the state driving tests, etc. I've even seen chain emails go around warning people about it.
As far as bad weather, cruise control should never really be used in the rain, snow, etc, towing or not. It's too easy for the vehicle to shift when you aren't expecting it and cause the vechicle to lose traction/control. It is scary how many people don't realize that though. In my opinion that should be taught in driver's ed, be on the state driving tests, etc. I've even seen chain emails go around warning people about it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
When i was young, i tried to maintain
Speed limit up every hill thinking that is how
fast i need to go. Now "wiser" i slow down going
up to maintain progress w/o dropping down
2 or 3 gears just to be first/fastest going up.
sort of like exiting a tollbooth, don't hit resume!
Just speed up first then hit resume...
Speed limit up every hill thinking that is how
fast i need to go. Now "wiser" i slow down going
up to maintain progress w/o dropping down
2 or 3 gears just to be first/fastest going up.
sort of like exiting a tollbooth, don't hit resume!
Just speed up first then hit resume...
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
When i was young, i tried to maintain
Speed limit up every hill thinking that is how
fast i need to go. Now "wiser" i slow down going
up to maintain progress w/o dropping down
2 or 3 gears just to be first/fastest going up.
sort of like exiting a tollbooth, don't hit resume!
Just speed up then hit resume...
Speed limit up every hill thinking that is how
fast i need to go. Now "wiser" i slow down going
up to maintain progress w/o dropping down
2 or 3 gears just to be first/fastest going up.
sort of like exiting a tollbooth, don't hit resume!
Just speed up then hit resume...
But if fuel were cheap I would have no qualms about flat-footing it up every hill that I wanted. These things are pretty tough, you're not gonna hurt it.
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Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
i only use cruise in summer/mostly dry conditions, but what i'll do as a mountain or incline is coming up i'll speed up manually to 5-10mph over the set speed depending on the size of the hill. by the time i hit the top i'm normally right at my set speed. but i have no issue with keeping it pegged to be the first at the top of the hill...its only gas 
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Common sense is probably more common here than in the general population, but there are dummies found everywhere.
I heard a story, maybe false, of a guy who rented a vehicle with cruise control, and wrecked it when he thought is was like auto-pilot. He failed to steer, thinking that it was unnecessary.
I heard a story, maybe false, of a guy who rented a vehicle with cruise control, and wrecked it when he thought is was like auto-pilot. He failed to steer, thinking that it was unnecessary.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
On dry pavement there is no issues, but if it is slippery you might unintentionally lose traction when towing, especially if your truck downshifts while climbing a grade. It has happened to me. When you are using your foot to control the speed, the downshift isn't unexpected, so you can quickly react to the rear axle losing traction, but when using cruise control it can come as a surprise.
The Owner's Manual alludes to this:
When towing a trailer:
• Turn off the speed control.
I am not going as far as the Owner's Manual, I am just saying be careful.
The Owner's Manual alludes to this:
When towing a trailer:
• Turn off the speed control.
I am not going as far as the Owner's Manual, I am just saying be careful.
I was in Northern WI, a couple years back towing our 4 place trailer(no cruise control) but I was in Tow/Haul. I got off the highway and got on the snow/ice packed ramp(I'm sure you're used to seeing this), I was slowing down when the truck decided to down shift...first time ever truck got sideways on me because of it. Boy was I surprised
, bottom line though, I should have slowed down anyways.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 35
From: South Carolina
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