Downhill Speed Control
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Freshman User
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Downhill Speed Control
Going west on I-40 in east Tenn. On 5% grade with my fifth wheel in tow. In tow mode I slowed down using the brake to 50 mph. During the descent I picked up speed to 60 mph after a short distance. I turned off the tow mode. Slowed down to 50 and set the cruise control. I was amazed how much better the truck kept downshifting thus holding close to the 50 mph. Maybe no one else is surprised at this but I had always thought it would be crazy to use cruise control for several miles on a 5% grade in order to hold back the speed.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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I've got a 2016 F350 Dually diesel and I do the same thing. Before I start down a long downhill grade I reduce my speed to what I think is safe/reasonable and set the cruise at that speed. The truck does a great job at maintaining the set speed to within 2-3 mph.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
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Senix, I'm thinking you have the 6.7? So you get the benefit of exhaust braking?
With the 6.2, is the cruise control applying wheel brakes? If that's the case, I'd be curious and want to get out my infrared temp gun to check brake temps with vs without cruise control.
With the 6.2, is the cruise control applying wheel brakes? If that's the case, I'd be curious and want to get out my infrared temp gun to check brake temps with vs without cruise control.
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Hotshot
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From: Wyoming
There was some discussion on the 2017+ Superduty subforum that the brakes ARE getting used to slow down when the cruise control is on. For that reason I tend to take cruise control off when going downhill. The tow/haul mode and the exhaust braking mode together do a great job of keeping the truck/trailer at a specific speed.
I verified that the brakes are being applied with cruise control on by watching the front of my trailer. I can see the reflection of the brake lights in the front of my trailer.
I verified that the brakes are being applied with cruise control on by watching the front of my trailer. I can see the reflection of the brake lights in the front of my trailer.
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Brakes MAY come into play but the downshifting is rapid from 5th to 2nd gear while cruise is on. Tow mode lets the truck speed up much faster causing me to stab the brakes every few seconds. Manual down shifting to be siccessful must be done quickly as the speed increases rapidly.
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From: Frederick, MD
Yes I do, but not the latest with the additional exhaust brake.
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Going west on I-40 in east Tenn. On 5% grade with my fifth wheel in tow. In tow mode I slowed down using the brake to 50 mph. During the descent I picked up speed to 60 mph after a short distance. I turned off the tow mode. Slowed down to 50 and set the cruise control. I was amazed how much better the truck kept downshifting thus holding close to the 50 mph. Maybe no one else is surprised at this but I had always thought it would be crazy to use cruise control for several miles on a 5% grade in order to hold back the speed.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
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From: Middle Tn.
Why don't you also push the engine brake button once the cc is set? It will hold within a mile or 2 then.
