Cruise Control and towing

[JACKSMYDOG]

Hard to know for sure based on the text above and not being there, but it sounds like your ACC is not calibrated correctly. Mine is very good about knowing when a vehicle is in the side lane, even on curves. The truck knows you are turning becasue the steering wheel is turned. It should adjust the ACC to compensate. I look at the little icon that shows when the truck thinks a vehicle is in front of you and notice that vehicle icon disappears right when then vehicle in front moves to a side lane.

Maybe, but even if it's off, it's not something I'm interested in testing again, even if the dealership checks and fixes it.

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[JACKSMYDOG]

ACC ≠ AI

ACC is absolutely AI.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

ACC is absolutely AI.

no.

it does not learn.

 

[Cabose-1]

I do. On long straight flat one way roads. In hill country in texas and anywhere else hilly, i use the + and- buttons a lot for hills and stuff.

So yeah, i use it.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

no.

it does not learn.

Learning is not a defining factor of AI.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Learning is not a defining factor of AI.

OK.

 

[J Krutsch]

Multiple times they kicked in for things that were not dangerous.

Once was on the freeway, on a large sweeping bend. I was in the inside lane on the left, and passing a vehicle in the outside lane on my right. Due to the straight line viewing of the sensors, they picked up the other vehicle and shut down the CC with a car behind me. Immediately lost 10+ mph, which the car behind me wasn't expecting (because there was no reason to expect it) and ended up running very close to me. Not on the verge of high danger, but an unnecessary situation.

The other situation which was much, much worse, I was driving a 2 lane 50mph road, approaching a 3 way intersection. My road continued straight through, and a another road T'd off to the right. It was very late at night, and no other traffic on the road, other than the semi. Again, I was in the left lane. When I was ~3/4 mile away, my light was red and there was a semi-truck stopped or slowing in the right lane. I cancelled the CC and coasted, then the light turned green and I resumed CC. As I entered the intersection, the ACC picked up the semi in the right lane, and the traffic island on my left, both slightly ahead of me, and slammed the brakes on. My lane was completely clear, and a second later they released and went back to free driving. The brake application was so severe, that had there been any rain or snow, I have no doubt it would have caused some lack of traction and easily could have put me into the back of the truck or the median.

Both of these situations were made more dangerous because of the AI system, and the second could have easily been lethal in the right conditions.

25k miles on my truck and about 15k towing. I use ACC as much as I can and I have never experienced this (thank goodness).

 

[coloradosooner]

When installed the trailer brake control in my 2019 Lariat - the reviews I read said that if you use the Ford installed version, it is safe to use cruise control. The issue was that when a 3rd party cruise control applies the brakes, it does not apply the trailer brakes, creating a possible unsafe condition. Ford uses a Redarc (sp?) controller but they add a wire that connects to the brake light on the back of the cab - this light is apparently the only one that activates when the cruise control does adaptive braking. I've used it for two years towing a 4100# and a 5700# travel trailer with no issues. (PS I tow in the Colorado Rockies - and have towed over multiple apsses with no issues. )

 

[UnregistredHypercam2]

Main concern would be trailer brakes with the automatic braking, as if you have a brake controller other than the OEM Ford one, it may not apply the trailer brakes during emergency braking.

That being said, I towed a UHaul tandem axle trailer with hydraulic surge brakes from Florida to Colorado without issue. Used adaptive cruise and lane keeping assistance for probably 80% of the drive.

As a side note, if you have the blind spot warning, you can tell the car how long your trailer is and your mirror light will stay on any time a car is next to your trailer, makes lane changes/overtaking way easier.

 

[Big Blue]

Ford uses a Redarc (sp?) controller but they add a wire that connects to the brake light on the back of the cab - this light is apparently the only one that activates when the cruise control does adaptive braking.

Not entirely true. The reason Ford went to the CHMSL was because it was the only place they could get a brake signal without cutting and splicing a wire harness and without leaving the cab. The reason for the extra module used is because all the brake lights on the Ranger are controlled by the BCM and the draw from the Redarc brake controller needs to be isolated from the BCM seeing it. All due to the brake controller being an after thought on a truck rated to pull 7500 pounds.

 

[notsolinear]

Multiple times they kicked in for things that were not dangerous.

Once was on the freeway, on a large sweeping bend. I was in the inside lane on the left, and passing a vehicle in the outside lane on my right. Due to the straight line viewing of the sensors, they picked up the other vehicle and shut down the CC with a car behind me. Immediately lost 10+ mph, which the car behind me wasn't expecting (because there was no reason to expect it) and ended up running very close to me. Not on the verge of high danger, but an unnecessary situation.

The other situation which was much, much worse, I was driving a 2 lane 50mph road, approaching a 3 way intersection. My road continued straight through, and a another road T'd off to the right. It was very late at night, and no other traffic on the road, other than the semi. Again, I was in the left lane. When I was ~3/4 mile away, my light was red and there was a semi-truck stopped or slowing in the right lane. I cancelled the CC and coasted, then the light turned green and I resumed CC. As I entered the intersection, the ACC picked up the semi in the right lane, and the traffic island on my left, both slightly ahead of me, and slammed the brakes on. My lane was completely clear, and a second later they released and went back to free driving. The brake application was so severe, that had there been any rain or snow, I have no doubt it would have caused some lack of traction and easily could have put me into the back of the truck or the median.

Both of these situations were made more dangerous because of the AI system, and the second could have easily been lethal in the right conditions.

I appreciate you taking the time to share those experiences. I personally haven’t had any similar experiences, but I can see how if I had it may affect my trust in the system. I think there is a good argument to be made that drivers should be aware of situations these systems are more prone to mistakes in, and to tailor their use of them in exacerbating circumstances like wet or icy conditions.

That said, I think one also has to balance the safety benefits these systems offer with their safety risks. To write off these systems based on a couple instances where we were alert and convinced we could’ve done better is to throw out the times it kept a safe following distance while we were momentarily distracted or incapacitated. I can only assume similar debates were had with the introduction of ABS braking or any other of the myriad technologies that make a decision for the driver.

I will probably keep using ACC but be more mindful of the conditions ahead. I frequently turn off CC in very tight turns or when there is a large speed difference or other situation that make me feel less comfortable; this gives me a couple more scenarios to consider.

 

[coloradosooner]

Not entirely true. The reason Ford went to the CHMSL was because it was the only place they could get a brake signal without cutting and splicing a wire harness and without leaving the cab. The reason for the extra module used is because all the brake lights on the Ranger are controlled by the BCM and the draw from the Redarc brake controller needs to be isolated from the BCM seeing it. All due to the brake controller being an after thought on a truck rated to pull 7500 pounds.

Yeah - you wonder why on a truck so well designed to tow there was no brake controller as a factory option! Thanks for additional info. Explains a lot.

 

[seanellaz]

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 have used Cruise control pulling a light trailer. Zero problems. I avoid napping when towing.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

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.

Hi Ray,

I use cruise when towing the Ranger behind and cruise in the Ranger or Nautilus on the open road. I pause cruise in town/city and/or in heavy traffic.

Best,
Phil

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Main concern would be trailer brakes with the automatic braking, as if you have a brake controller other than the OEM Ford one, it may not apply the trailer brakes during emergency braking.

That being said, I towed a UHaul tandem axle trailer with hydraulic surge brakes from Florida to Colorado without issue. Used adaptive cruise and lane keeping assistance for probably 80% of the drive.

As a side note, if you have the blind spot warning, you can tell the car how long your trailer is and your mirror light will stay on any time a car is next to your trailer, makes lane changes/overtaking way easier.

And once you left Florida it was smooth sailing, wasn't it. ?

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