Cruise control while towing ??

[In Deep]

Recently got a new tow vehicle, 2008 Ford F150 Super crew with the smaller V8. What are peoples thoughts on using cruise control while towing ???. Launch is @ 1 hour away with varying speeds of 80-90/kmh===or @50 mph.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

all day... every day..... in the mountains.... on the flats..... from 3000 lbs to 120,000 lbs I ALWAYS use cruise as long as I'm not driving on ice.... Many years ago I took a good running car to the junkyard because I couldn't get the cruise to work.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

As long as the engine isn't laboring or constantly searching for the correct gear range I wouldn't think it a problem.

I never could use the O/D in my previous truck as I was right at the max weight, but now that I have a 3/4 ton diesel Ram, I have to use O/D or I end up driving too fast. I like to keep it around 65mph when towing.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

I use cruise 500 miles all the way to Florida on interstate, no problem. Of course on a winding, hilly road where your speed would fluctuate a good bit, then turn off cruise. Cruise also helps maintain steady speed and avoid speeding tickets! Good Luck!

 

[boatnut74]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

I have an 07 F150 and use the cruise while pulling. Never any problems with it searching for gears.

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

I always use cruise while towing........

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

I never use cruise when towing. I perfer to be in control of the speed and try to flatten the hills, more speed down=less throttle up. My highway to the lake is pretty hill-y

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

I never use cruise when towing. I perfer to be in control of the speed and try to flatten the hills, more speed down=less throttle up. My highway to the lake is pretty hill-y

Ditto... If its flat and smooth, I think your ok with CC. But in the hills, I like to get a running start,,gain 5-10 mph going down hill so u can use that momentum going up the next one. I hate listening to my truck intentionally slowing down, going downhill and then working extra hard to climb the next. i think it helps your MPG and keeps your tranny cooler. Very important to me...

 

[rbh]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

No CC for me, to many variables when pulling a load.

 

[jkust]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

I always use cc and in od but we're pretty flat here. If we were a little more hilly I'd have to flatten the hills like mentioned above. When you drop out of od and the cruise needs to lug you up a hill, it overcompensates versus how you would anticipate and adjust for the hill before you approach it. That 50mph you mentioned is pretty slow to get over some hills without manually compensating for the hill. Get behind a slowpoke and you will see what I mean.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

Have a 2001 F150, 200k+, and haul some kind of trailer a lot, and to Florida, northern Quebec, Michigan UP. In the mountains then the cc is off so I can keep the gas pedal off the floor and save on the gas mileage. On the flats then it's cc if the traffic is light. Just go for it, the truck doesn't care, but stay alert, some idiot will cut you off from time to time.

 

[jtmarten]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

I don't use mine. I also like to gain a little speed prior to hills, can prevent a downshift/higher rpms so it may save a bit of fuel.

 

[QC]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

Just a little side note. Every heavy-duty truck within the last 20 years has cruise and they use it. I understand the hilly stuff, but you can find ways to reduce any hunting and get a little extra run downhill with cruise on too . . .

 

[rallyart]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

I pull my 21' boat on it's tandem trailer with a 4.2 inline six for 7 hours over two mountain passes. It gets put on cruise and never lugs, or slows. The world of towing is a better place with cruise control.
If you are in a situation where there are lots of small hills or grade changes then make sure it is out of overdrive so the transmission does not get as hot.

 

[Tim Wagner]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

Definately cruise! You should be able to find a sweet spot with your speed depending on how loaded you are for your trip.
If Im just pulling the boat with a days gear in it, it seems that 71-72 MPH is the ticket where it doesnt downshift too much.
When Im loaded for a long weekend with gas, wood, tents and other crap. The extra load kinda dictates a slower speed. Maybe 68 MPH. I dont mind it kicking down one gear (3000 RPMs) but when it really kicks down to catch up (4500+ RPMs) I back off the cruise speed a little. I live in SW PA so we got some hills to contend with.
Its unavoidable sometimes though.
Either way, you'll find a sweet spot.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

I have an '08 F150 Screw and I use the cruise as well. As long as the tranny isn't hunting for gears all of the time I leave the CC on. I also tow with O/D on unless, again, the tranny keeps dropping down on hills. I can see leaving the cruise control off if you are in heavy traffic or hilly areas, but on the highway there's not too many variables to deal with.

I don't tow over 65mph with the boat (5Klbs), even on the turnpike (75mph speed limit). If I'm towing the jet skis, then I'll up the speed due to the lower amount of weight.

 

[rbh]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

Variables= hills, sharp corners and above all "ALBERTAN TOURIST rubber necking"!!!!!!!

 

[rallyart]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

Hey, I resemble that remark.

 

[rbh]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

Hey, I resemble that remark.

 

[In Deep]

Re: Cruise control while towing ??

Thanks for all the replies. I'll continue to use CC.

Doug