Cruise Control and towing

[RayO]

Hey just wondering, does anyone use the cruise control while towing?
I understand these cruise systems are now more of a driver assist option than the original cruise on and off systems, so does anyone think it would safe enough to use?
I never use the cruise in bad weather so I was not to sure about the towing with it.

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[EJH]

This question may get very polarizing replies, grab the beer and popcorn

I frequently use ACC when towing. I still pay attention. The ACC keeps the truck's speed constant which is a little harder to do manually when pulling a heavy load.

 

[IdahoRanger]

I have

 

[21Blackout]

Depends on the situation most 2 lane roads its almost always off however 4 lane highway I run with ACC on find a rig running close to the pace I would like to maintain and grab up some fuel economy...

 

[KJRR]

Hey just wondering, does anyone use the cruise control while towing?
I understand these cruise systems are now more of a driver assist option than the original cruise on and off systems, so does anyone think it would safe enough to use?
I never use the cruise in bad weather so I was not to sure about the towing with it.

I don't have ACC but have used cruise on the Ranger and Edge while towing about 2,000 lbs. Usually have it on in tow mode on long, fairly flat stretches as I don't care to accelerate around corners while towing. Rarely use cruise while weather is wet and never towing. Cruise does fairly well at holding speed, may downshift twice on bridges depending on the grade. I always have my foot ready to brake and my thumb ready to cancel. Mostly use it to maintain a constant speed rather than relax my feet.

 

[notsolinear]

I would love if someone could spell out in detail what the concern about using regular cruise or ACC is, cause and effect. Is it a rule of thumb because it affects driver complacency? Is it about adjusting speed for different grades? Is it some way in which auto braking could cause an accident? Asking for a newbie tower.

 

[maxbottomtime]

I would love if someone could spell out in detail what the concern about using regular cruise or ACC is, cause and effect. Is it a rule of thumb because it affects driver complacency? Is it about adjusting speed for different grades? Is it some way in which auto braking could cause an accident? Asking for a newbie tower.

I think it's concern around following distances, and the automatic emergency braking not having sufficient time to stop the truck + a load.

To me, this feels like a driver attention & following distance issue, not a cruise control issue.

 

[subquark]

I don't have the schmancy ACC, just the poor man's XL version and I do use it sometimes when towing. But typically on level roads, light traffic, and speeds below 65. Trailer weight less than 2,500 for my towing (utility trailer with weekend crap or dragging my compressor back and forth to my daughter's house).

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[notsolinear]

I think it's concern around following distances, and the automatic emergency braking not having sufficient time to stop the truck + a load.

To me, this feels like a driver attention & following distance issue, not a cruise control issue.

Towing or not I usually keep my ACC distance on the max setting because I’m trying to avoid stone chips from the vehicle ahead; It seems pretty far. Are people saying that’s not far enough when towing? What kind of a gap are people leaving when towing without cruise?

 

[Raygunn]

Hey just wondering, does anyone use the cruise control while towing?
I understand these cruise systems are now more of a driver assist option than the original cruise on and off systems, so does anyone think it would safe enough to use?
I never use the cruise in bad weather so I was not to sure about the towing with it.

One issue with using cruise while towing something heavy is excessive shifting which I think can be hard on the transmission. I tow a 4500 lb. camper and if the highway is relatively flat, I lock out 10,9,& 8 and occasionally set the cruise at 65. The RPMs stay at about 2700 and there is very little shifting. My last trip from DFW Texas to Grand Canyon, AZ averaged 13 MPG

 

[DFisher]

I always use cruise control when towing.

 

[Frenchy]

It all depends on the said conditions. That said I have had no problems using the Cruise while towing. Just make sure you are in Tow Mode and that it's a good spot for cruising.

 

[brroberts]

I use it towing as long as the traffic and road conditions warrant it.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

I use ACC cruise all the time. And on the cross country trip with 2 kayaks 9n the rack and a small trailer behind I set it at 65mph, and just went. This goes for both 2 lane highways and multilane interstates.

One thing I liked was on the steep downgrades the truck downshifted and would hold a lower gear to maintain the slower speed i set for downhills....

I don't think the truck used 10th gear the entire trek...

I can't wait to get the little trailer off today so I can go back to bombing down the road...

As a note, my partner refuses to use cruise control or lane keep because it isn't as safe as her foot. I beg to differ that the computer actually assists you with driving and makes it safer if you miss something....

 

[reidmefirst]

Hey just wondering, does anyone use the cruise control while towing?
I understand these cruise systems are now more of a driver assist option than the original cruise on and off systems, so does anyone think it would safe enough to use?
I never use the cruise in bad weather so I was not to sure about the towing with it.

Yes but only if there is really good visibility (1-2 miles) and I can have a 1/4 mile or more buffer between me and the car in front. If people pass me and get in front of me (happens a lot since I'm usually going under the speed limit), I tend to tap my speed down with the buttons a few mph to let them get way ahead, then tap my speed back up to 65-68mph on a 70mph interstate.

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