Cruise Control - yeah or neah?

[thomasa98]

I once worked for a tanker company. While climbing a hill at about 25mph, one of our drivers was hit from behind by another truck who had rolled down the previous hill at over seventy. The impact blew open the dome lids on the tanker in geisers of flaming jet fuel that then ran flaming down the road. Onlookers had to be shewed away from the flaming fuel. It was summer and the dry grass caught fire in the median and roadside trapping everyone on the pavement as the flaming fuel advanced. Luckly it ran into the ditch.



The following driver was killed. The investigation revealed that he had set the cruise. His logbook was burned up but witnesses who had seen him at the truck stop 20 miles back said he seemed over tired. We surmise he fell asleep.


One wouldn't want to run into such a scene while sleepy with the cruise on.

[southsaglejim]

Originally Posted by etojeo

Greetings - newbie here so please don't shoot me.
We have a 2019 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi towing a 2019 25 FC FBT. Obviously traffic, weather and road conditions aside, but when the opportunity presents itself, do y'all recommend staying away from the cruise control or is the prevailing thought Sure, when the time is right I use my Cruise Control?

By now it is obvious there is no prevailing view other than use cruise control when you feel it's safe, and some say that is never, and others who believe they are using it judiciously. To me it is obvious there is no prevailing view other than use cruise control when you feel it safe, and some say that is never, and others who believe they are using it judiciously. To me it is a variable with too many variables such as the unit being towed, the tow vehicle, the drivers age and the way that driver was brought up learning to drive, automatic transmission versus standard tranny. And so on add nauseam. I am 74 years old, a very active and alert person. I have a 2007 F250diesel, I'm towing a 7200 pound 32 footer and I do use cruise control on long straight flat and familiar stretches..and because I have a standard transmission that I like to use all gears in appropriate settings I do not use it going uphill or downhill and I do not use it when I know I'm going to encounter Twisty roads and rough roads.. If you're paying attention to signage and watching down the road when you can do a pretty good job of anticipating want to head and it's really very simple to take a properly working cruise control out of its moment.Sometimes you don't know what's ahead so to each his own and the best word of wisdom is try it see if you like it, if you don't then don't do it

[Philip Jones]

Yes. I have adaptive CC on my F150 (speed goes up and down automatically depending on how close car in front of you is) and it is a game-changer. Will never buy another car/truck without it!

I use it all of the time when towing on the highway. It allows for more stretching and movement of legs, preventing DVTs.

[southsaglejim]

Amen Amen

[Banker]

I use adaptive cruise control on level pavement to keep safely behind the vehicle in front. On hills, I take over for CC.

[tbashin]

I pull a '76 31' Excella with a 2018 F350 diesel 4x4. Cruise control is a no brainer with the auto engine brake feature and adaptive cruise control. For me it makes for a less stressful drive. Besides that diesel is in purr mode all the time regardless of grade direction. I do turn it off when in any kind of highway traffic because I don't trust the other guys on the road.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

Older truck with 4 speed. I use the cruise on level ground. Like using it. But in hilly country or when traveling fast the truck responds too aggressively with the cruise and hard shifts. I use the cancel and resume buttons or just drive without the cruise.

Same here, older Suburban (2004), 4-speed auto.

I tow with it on flat roads, sometimes, but if it gets even mildly hilly I have to turn it off, or I get downshifts and roaring engine.

Generally, I just don't bother.

[russingr]

I almost always use cruise control in our F250, towing or not, except in traffic obviously, or unusual road conditions.

[demijac]

We have a 2007 Tundra that has about 180,000 towing miles on it and haven't had any issues due to using our cruise control. We use it mostly in the flats. Don't use it on the uphills because the engine runs at higher RPM when the cruise control is engaged. Turning the cruise control on and off based on the terrain helps keep me attentive while driving. The cruise control is also helpful in regulating our speed on non-steep downhill grades.

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by etojeo

Greetings - newbie here so please don't shoot me.
We have a 2019 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi towing a 2019 25 FC FBT. Obviously traffic, weather and road conditions aside, but when the opportunity presents itself, do y'all recommend staying away from the cruise control or is the prevailing thought Sure, when the time is right I use my Cruise Control?

Etojeo, you’re a lucky guy with that new ‘19 Ram 2500! By any chance does yours have the Safety Group option? If so, you have the Adaptive Cruise which is amazing. I’ve had it on the last two tow vehicles and it’s now a “must have” option.

The Ram HD’s Adaptive Cruise will maintain a safe distance between the vehicle in front of you and brake automatically if they slow or stop. And, they say it works even with a trailer attached (see screen shot).

Check out the feature here: https://www.ramtrucks.com/2019/ram-2...-security.html

Happy Camping!

[andyherman]

I have a 2015 Sierra 2500HD and use the Cruise Control a lot - primarily on the interstates and rural country roads. My truck has the driver alert system so it does a great job of alerting you if there is something going on ahead, automatically slowing the truck down. I find one of the best things about cruise control is the ability to maintain a consistent speed while virtually eliminating the potential of inadvertently going over the speed limit. (I probably use the CC 90% of the time when not towing.) I set it at the speed limit and go - again assuming conditions/traffic are appropriate.

[ekbruster]

Have a 2016 Yukon with adaptive cruise control, is this the greatest thing ever when taking long trips with the trailer, brakes and adjusts speed to stay behind traffic and accelerate accordingly. so glad that GM's putting it on our full-size truck platform next year, as it will be on my next tow vehicle. As others have stated, conditions dictate when to use, never is icy/wet conditions. I've made 4 trips from Michigan to Florida and back and use it as much as the weather allows.

[Philly Dave]

I use the adaptive cruise control on my 2017 F250 Powerstroke every chance I get. In combination with the engine brake and transmission tow/haul mode it makes towing less stressful.

[RedSHED]

Cruise: good.
Brain and judgement: Also good. Very good.

[etojeo]

Thanks, unfortunately I do not have that option - mine is a Big Horn, fairly basic truck, but she does the job!

[Hans627]

Yeah on cruise control. One of the reasons I ordered a new truck was that it has adaptive cruise control. Once you have had it, it's difficult to do without!

[tsunami]

Originally Posted by Philly Dave

I use the adaptive cruise control on my 2017 F250 Powerstroke every chance I get. In combination with the engine brake and transmission tow/haul mode it makes towing less stressful.

Ditto... Ford, on their Super Duty's gets extremely high marks for their cruise control. I, like you, use it with the engine brake, and it's outstanding. I especially like using it when going downhill. Provides a level of comfort to focus on traffic.

[Mike0392]

I use it when I tow. Adaptive cruise control (I don’t have ) need to be careful as set it for a big gap. Remember there is a lot of weight behind you even with the brakes on the airstream.

[mikapen]

If I don't use Cruise, I find my speed creeping up well over 75mph. I use it to stay where fuel economy, and towing safety, is best - @63-65 mph.
Our Cruise disengages if it detects slippage or trailer sway, which is an important feature IMO.
Regarding momentum - if you approach a slow-moving vehicle, you have to either slow or steer - Cruise Control or not. And if you see a hill ahead, you can just push on the Go Pedal to gain a bit of momentum, Cruise or not.
If your transmission shifts gears on uphils to maintain speed, it will do so, Cruise Control or not.
I actually feel more alert and in tune with traffic etc. while using cruise. I'd rather be looking out for a deer waiting to cross than focusing on my speedo.

[Woosch]

Moderate to heavy traffic, hills, wind, rain...off.