Cruise control while towing?
Cruise control while towing?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,013
Likes: 205
From: SoCal
I think the cruise control will drop out if it can not maintain a set speed, such as towing a heavy load up a hill. You might want to keep the transmission out of overdrive to make its life easier. Also, you might want to install an extra plate cooler for the ATF, change the fluid according to the gentle flush procedure with a good synthetic, such as Mobil 1.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
when i towed heavy with my Aero, i never allowed it to hunt in between gears. between 3rd and OD is the most common.
locking in 2nd or 1st while towing a long high grade hill helps the tranny and engine keep cool. locking out OD is preferable unless one has upgraded their tranny with high grade clutch packs and aramid/graphite bands.
suggest a tranny temp gauge and keep the ATF under 200d F.
locking in 2nd or 1st while towing a long high grade hill helps the tranny and engine keep cool. locking out OD is preferable unless one has upgraded their tranny with high grade clutch packs and aramid/graphite bands.
suggest a tranny temp gauge and keep the ATF under 200d F.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
I think the cruise control will drop out if it can not maintain a set speed, such as towing a heavy load up a hill. You might want to keep the transmission out of overdrive to make its life easier. Also, you might want to install an extra plate cooler for the ATF, change the fluid according to the gentle flush procedure with a good synthetic, such as Mobil 1.
Just wanted to be sure their would not be any complications using cruise while towing a heavy load long distance. I'll watch it on hills so she doesn't kick out and I never tow in OD. Very bad.
I'll be towing a 3500 pound travel trailer around 4000KM round trip in about a week. Can you say "cross country camping trip"? Yaaaaaay!
Thanks.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
when i towed heavy with my Aero, i never allowed it to hunt in between gears. between 3rd and OD is the most common.
locking in 2nd or 1st while towing a long high grade hill helps the tranny and engine keep cool. locking out OD is preferable unless one has upgraded their tranny with high grade clutch packs and aramid/graphite bands.
suggest a tranny temp gauge and keep the ATF under 200d F.
locking in 2nd or 1st while towing a long high grade hill helps the tranny and engine keep cool. locking out OD is preferable unless one has upgraded their tranny with high grade clutch packs and aramid/graphite bands.
suggest a tranny temp gauge and keep the ATF under 200d F.
I'd love a tranny temp gauge but I couldn't find anything suitable locally and am running out of time before my trip in a week.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener,Ontario,Canada
All in the powerband of the engine.
I've towed with about 2500 lbs load in overdrive but I think you need to be in the power band of the engine to do it, which with the 3L engine seems to be above 120 KPH, unfortunately this speed is on the edge of getting a ticket, so at 100 kph with any hills or resistance I kick out of OD (mines electronic). With the 4L I'd imagine you would be OK as long as it's flat highway with no headwind!
Aeroman
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Aeroman
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