Hands Free Towing

[nnn]

Hey guys - getting closer to buying our Airstream and tow vehicle...

Have a Tesla X now and cant imagine being without autopilot - especially when towing long distances.

It appears GM Supercruise is the only option out there right now - or am I missing something ?

Anyone towing with this system ?

Considering a Denali SUV with the 3.0 Duramax

Thanks

NNN

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by nnn

Hey guys - getting closer to buying our Airstream and tow vehicle...

Have a Tesla X now and cant imagine being without autopilot - especially when towing long distances.

It appears GM Supercruise is the only option out there right now - or am I missing something ?

Anyone towing with this system ?

Considering a Denali SUV with the 3.0 Duramax

Thanks

NNN

Not sure why you want "autopilot" while towing, but understand the attraction in the current GM commercial and comparison to Tesla? First, decide which size AS your wanting and determine if the SUV your looking at can handle it the within specs. Good luck!

[Silvr_Bullet]

Isn’t there on going problems with this Auto Pilot function. Don t be led down the golden path even a Auto Pilot in an aircraft is ‘monitored’ by the pilot .

[nnn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK9-erNM5nc

[jcl]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Not sure why you want "autopilot" while towing, but understand the attraction in the current GM commercial and comparison to Tesla? First, decide which size AS your wanting and determine if the SUV your looking at can handle it the within specs. Good luck!

The word "autopilot" can be triggering to some, due to the connotations relating to aircraft, but with a Tesla it is just dynamic cruise control (including slowing to a full stop, and accelerating) plus automatic lane keeping. Those features have provided demonstrable and significant safety improvements if we look at crash statistics.

We wouldn't be without it. These features make a lot of sense for long road trips.

GM has expanded their Supercruise offering to 1500 pickups, it isn't just for SUVs. It does only work on specific roads.

[nnn]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Not sure why you want "autopilot" while towing, but understand the attraction in the current GM commercial and comparison to Tesla? First, decide which size AS your wanting and determine if the SUV your looking at can handle it the within specs. Good luck!

self driving features are a game changer - nothing better than autopilot while cruising on the highway ...

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

Isn’t there on going problems with this Auto Pilot function. Don t be led down the golden path even a Auto Pilot in an aircraft is ‘monitored’ by the pilot .

no issues with autopilot - "full self driving" has serious problems...

[Mollysdad]

How can anyone stay awake when on a long drive?
Autopilot is an invitation to doze off.

[ROBERT CROSS]

I use my 'auto pilot' a lot when towing 'Cloudsplitter'.

I married her 52 yrs ago.

Bob
🇺🇸

[nnn]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

How can anyone stay awake when on a long drive?
Autopilot is an invitation to doze off.

haven't dozed off yet .... driver still has to be monitoring and paying attention...

The best part is that you dont have to make those micro decisions with the steering wheel and the result is much less stress and fatigue ...

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by jcl

The word "autopilot" can be triggering to some, due to the connotations relating to aircraft, but with a Tesla it is just dynamic cruise control (including slowing to a full stop, and accelerating) plus automatic lane keeping. Those features have provided demonstrable and significant safety improvements if we look at crash statistics.

We wouldn't be without it. These features make a lot of sense for long road trips.

GM has expanded their Supercruise offering to 1500 pickups, it isn't just for SUVs. It does only work on specific roads.

I have many years of flying experience using "autopilot"; it does not always preform as advertised in aircraft;...but I get what your saying. My son demonstrated in streets of Austin in his Tesla couple years ago, in traffic. Still, I would never drive without my feet/hands on control instruments.

I do have the "dynamic cruise and safety" features with my F250 with lane and distance safety features engaged while driving/towing including when cruise control engaged, and I appreciate their value. They do make for a way more relaxed drive while towing, especially with my auto engine brake engaged in the mountains.

The commercials give some the "impression" it's all automatic now days with these new features...But, there are some "troubling" instances over past few years of crashes while in these modes. It will be interesting to see well these are adopted going forward for TV's.

[Silvr_Bullet]

These safety features are great advancements, EXCEPT, the driver should be the first to react to a encroachment upon another vehicle etc. vice versa not so much, doesn’t replace the driver.

[bobzdar]

Originally Posted by jcl

The word "autopilot" can be triggering to some, due to the connotations relating to aircraft, but with a Tesla it is just dynamic cruise control (including slowing to a full stop, and accelerating) plus automatic lane keeping. Those features have provided demonstrable and significant safety improvements if we look at crash statistics.

We wouldn't be without it. These features make a lot of sense for long road trips.

GM has expanded their Supercruise offering to 1500 pickups, it isn't just for SUVs. It does only work on specific roads.

If that's all it is, most new cars offer that, at least as an option. My new defender has adaptive cruise control including stop and go with adjustable distances and auto lane keeping. I use the adaptive cruise when towing (or anytime I'm on the highway, really) but the lane keeping just keeps it in the lane, not centered. I think autopilot and supercruise do a bit more, but I wouldn't trust them towing as they don't account for a trailer in their movements and could do things to induce sway.

[DewTheDew]

I do not like lane keeping, but I do use adaptive cruise control on our F250. That, for me, is sufficient. I do not recall what levels of automation are even available on our Ford (I set them all how I wanted when it was new and keep them that way). I did turn off most of the guides in our Mercedes. What all does "autopilot" do for you?

[jcl]

Originally Posted by nnn

self driving features are a game changer - nothing better than autopilot while cruising on the highway ...



no issues with autopilot - "full self driving" has serious problems...

We had no interest in purchasing the "full self driving" option, but wouldn't be without autopilot. It is much safer IMO.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

How can anyone stay awake when on a long drive?
Autopilot is an invitation to doze off.

The same could be said of a stereo system.

I find the autopilot function that we have results in much less driver fatigue, so there is enhanced driver performance on a long trip, not reduced.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

I have many years of flying experience using "autopilot"; it does not always preform as advertised in aircraft;...but I get what your saying. My son demonstrated in streets of Austin in his Tesla couple years ago, in traffic. Still, I would never drive without my feet/hands on control instruments.

I do have the "dynamic cruise and safety" features with my F250 with lane and distance safety features engaged while driving/towing including when cruise control engaged, and I appreciate their value. They do make for a way more relaxed drive while towing, especially with my auto engine brake engaged in the mountains.

The commercials give some the "impression" it's all automatic now days with these new features...But, there are some "troubling" instances over past few years of crashes while in these modes. It will be interesting to see well these are adopted going forward for TV's.

Fully agree, and would stress that relating Tesla Autopilot to an aircraft autopilot is part of the problem.

We don't tend to use autopilot in traffic, as it doesn't recognize red lights. If you are second in line to approach a red light it will stop behind the car in front, no issue, but if you are the first to stop at a red light you have to do so yourself. We think of it as an open road safety feature, not for traffic

Commercials have been overselling things for a long time. Better to investigate and judge ourselves than rely on ad copy.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

These safety features are great advancements, EXCEPT, the driver should be the first to react to a encroachment upon another vehicle etc. vice versa not so much, doesn’t replace the driver.

The system we have is not designed to replace the driver, and doesn't claim to. It improves safety statistics by acting as a backup to the driver. It also logs the number of incidents where it intervened, so that you get a personal safety score. That score can be used for insurance discounts, and other features.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by bobzdar

If that's all it is, most new cars offer that, at least as an option. My new defender has adaptive cruise control including stop and go with adjustable distances and auto lane keeping. I use the adaptive cruise when towing (or anytime I'm on the highway, really) but the lane keeping just keeps it in the lane, not centered. I think autopilot and supercruise do a bit more, but I wouldn't trust them towing as they don't account for a trailer in their movements and could do things to induce sway.

The Tesla system turns itself off when you put it in towing mode. You don't have to use towing mode, you have the option.

Ours has adjustable following distances which can be easily shrunk or stretched based on driving conditions, and it only makes sense to increase the following distance when towing.

Ours maintains a central lane position. Our last SUV, not a Tesla, had lane keeping but it wasn't as precise, and didn't centre the vehicle. Also, it didn't start up again from a full stop.

We find that the corrections are so slight and continuous that we have less occasion to make a significant steering correction. I would think that would reduce the likelihood of a steering-induced sway event.

[jcl]

Originally Posted by DewTheDew

I do not like lane keeping, but I do use adaptive cruise control on our F250. That, for me, is sufficient. I do not recall what levels of automation are even available on our Ford (I set them all how I wanted when it was new and keep them that way). I did turn off most of the guides in our Mercedes. What all does "autopilot" do for you?

Autopilot maintains speed, with smart slowing/stopping/resume based on adjustable following distances. It uses cameras. With a second click of the stalk it manages steering to maintain a central lane position. It uses surround cameras to watch for issues and has alerts/corrections.

It doesn't drive you to your camp site while you nap. These systems are driver aids, not fully autonomous systems

We find that it reduces driver fatigue, especially on long trips.

Tesla tracks and publishes crash statistics for all their vehicles, and reports on incidents with autopilot turned off, and turned on, and also compares that to standard NHTSA data. There is a significant step change in safety (reduced crashes) with the system, such that we expect some version of it to become mandatory for all vehicles at some point. In the interim, it can result in lower insurance rates.

[Silvr_Bullet]

Originally Posted by jcl

Autopilot maintains speed, with smart slowing/stopping/resume based on adjustable following distances. It uses cameras. With a second click of the stalk it manages steering to maintain a central lane position. It uses surround cameras to watch for issues and has alerts/corrections.



It doesn't drive you to your camp site while you nap. These systems are driver aids, not fully autonomous systems



We find that it reduces driver fatigue, especially on long trips.



Tesla tracks and publishes crash statistics for all their vehicles, and reports on incidents with autopilot turned off, and turned on, and also compares that to standard NHTSA data. There is a significant step change in safety (reduced crashes) with the system, such that we expect some version of it to become mandatory for all vehicles at some point. In the interim, it can result in lower insurance rates.

That’s great I would have to see who is analyzing and certifying the results of the statistics, as most know statistics are ripe for manipulation. ( no changes to post )