Cruise Control
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Cruise Control
Have an '18 F350 CCLB DRW 6.7 PowerStroke pulling a Montana High Country with 14,300 GVWR and 2160# tongue weight (unloaded). All other vehicles I have had state specifically not to use cruise control when towing. Reading through the manual there is nothing in the cruise control section and one statement in the towing section that says 'Turn off speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain....." So does 14,000 pounds constitute a heavy load or am I OK using cruise control for towing on flatter terrain, like through Kansas. Usually run ~ 60 - 65 mph when pulling but drift at times so cruise control would help.
Thank you
Thank you
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
Have an '18 F350 CCLB DRW 6.7 PowerStroke pulling a Montana High Country with 14,300 GVWR and 2160# tongue weight (unloaded). All other vehicles I have had state specifically not to use cruise control when towing. Reading through the manual there is nothing in the cruise control section and one statement in the towing section that says 'Turn off speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain....." So does 14,000 pounds constitute a heavy load or am I OK using cruise control for towing on flatter terrain, like through Kansas. Usually run ~ 60 - 65 mph when pulling but drift at times so cruise control would help.
Thank you
Thank you
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 466
Likes: 5
I have a 2016 F350 Dually with the 6.7 diesel and I use the cruise control all the time when towing (13K trailer). Engine brake on, tow haul mode on and if I know I'm getting ready for a long downhill, I simply hit the decel. button on the cruise control at the top of the hill and before I actually start down the grade and it will hold my speed within 2-3 mph of the set point. We've all seen the yellow speed limit signs for truckers to reduce speed....5% grade next two miles....or something similar, so I basically just abide by those speed limits going down the hill until I can safely resume my normal speed. I hardly ever have to even touch the brakes in those instances.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 7
From: Saint Augustine, FL
I have a '17 6.7 CCSB. I tow about 9K lbs with it and use the cruise control regularly. I will disengage it when I the terrain requires a downshift because I know the cruise control will be way more aggressive at speed maintenance than necessary.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 90
Likes: 3
I agree with brick man. I have ACC and used with 15k Montana. Works great in mountain or level ground. Have almost 9k miles with it. Slows you on the down hill and keeps you at speed other wise..truck is a 2017 DRW LW 6.7
Trending Topics
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,861
From: Frederick, MD
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,861
From: Frederick, MD
I actually prefer it when towing on level ground and up the mountains. I disable it if the down grade is any real length or steep decent. If so then I will switch to manual mode to hold the gears.
Otherwise using cruise control is just a personal preference and won't hurt a thing.
Otherwise using cruise control is just a personal preference and won't hurt a thing.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,145
Likes: 7,971
From: Texas
Have an '18 F350 CCLB DRW 6.7 PowerStroke pulling a Montana High Country with 14,300 GVWR and 2160# tongue weight (unloaded). All other vehicles I have had state specifically not to use cruise control when towing. Reading through the manual there is nothing in the cruise control section and one statement in the towing section that says 'Turn off speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain....." So does 14,000 pounds constitute a heavy load or am I OK using cruise control for towing on flatter terrain, like through Kansas. Usually run ~ 60 - 65 mph when pulling but drift at times so cruise control would help.
Thank you
Thank you
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 889
Likes: 38
This was one of my first questions when I just joined FTE and the consensus here and from the techs that do my service is that using CC is fine when towing.
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 77
Likes: 20
From: New Hampshire
I don't usually use Cruse when towing (or not towing) but I have a few times when there was no traffic around , an I agree that in Cruse the truck downshifts and revs more then if I were modulating the pedal myself and in a more aggressive manner even not towing. I find this pretty common though in all vehicles. I will say also that the automatic engine breaking is WAY overboard at times IMO. I'll be trying to gently break down hill with a load an the freaking thing downshifts like 4 gears and revs like crazy.. An then seems to want to hold it that way for far to long even as the road levels out I'm still blasting away at 5k RPM trying to either brake or give it some gas to get it to shift back up again... I'm like waiting like Hello!! Yeah I get it I have the option to manually switch it..bla bla bla.. End of the day I feel the programming needs some tweaking from the factory.. When I had my Tundra I always towed in manual mode in 4th. Seemed to be the sweat spot. I guess I felt with this truck an the weight I tow 8ish K I could be lazier an let the truck do the work....
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,348
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I use cruise control most of the time and especially when towing the 5th wheel. I just finished up a 5,500 mile trip around the country towing and probably had CC on for 5,000 or more miles of that.
Although, I have a 2000 7.3L with a 6 speed manual transmission. So, there is no gear hunting or high revving in my application.
I averaged 12.3 MPG over the 5,500 miles at ~18,000 lbs GVW.
Although, I have a 2000 7.3L with a 6 speed manual transmission. So, there is no gear hunting or high revving in my application.
I averaged 12.3 MPG over the 5,500 miles at ~18,000 lbs GVW.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 193
From: Cambs, England
I also tow with cruise on most of the time, only turning it off on steep inclines where I can keep EGTs in check better by controlling the skinny pedal with my foot. FYI I'm pulling either a 15k Raptor toy hauler or 12k Crusader 5th wheel behind a fairly stock 7.3 powerstroke.
I'm talking about 20% long inclines too using a 40 or 60hp tune, EGTs will hit 13-1400°F if not checked, if I control the input I can maintain a reasonable speed (50mph) with EGTs around 11-1200°F, I set the cruise at 62mph, anything less than 60mph & the trans will downshift at the slightest change in terrain so that's the "happy place"
I'm talking about 20% long inclines too using a 40 or 60hp tune, EGTs will hit 13-1400°F if not checked, if I control the input I can maintain a reasonable speed (50mph) with EGTs around 11-1200°F, I set the cruise at 62mph, anything less than 60mph & the trans will downshift at the slightest change in terrain so that's the "happy place"