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Old 02-28-2018, 12:50 PM   #1
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Cruise control?

I think I know the answer to this ... but do you use your cruise control when towing?

I personally do not, but I'm towing at my tow vehicle capacity and adjust my speed not by my speedometer, but by my tachometer. But I have been tempted.
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Old 02-28-2018, 02:52 PM   #2
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That's a can of worms opened. Even though my truck automatically shuts the cruise off when it detects wheel slippage or rear-end sway, I don't use it. Too many big hills down here. I would probably use it in dry weather on flat roads, and that's the only time. I'm still of the opinion that I can drive my truck heavily loaded better than the factory can.
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Old 02-28-2018, 02:56 PM   #3
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No!
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Old 02-28-2018, 04:07 PM   #4
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Guess I’m in the minority, but I use mine all the time unless I’m climbing/descending steep grades. It downshifts & upshifts on it’s own as necessary. Been doing this for 5 years now with no issues.
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Old 03-01-2018, 12:41 AM   #5
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Guess I’m in the minority, but I use mine all the time unless I’m climbing/descending steep grades. It downshifts & upshifts on it’s own as necessary. Been doing this for 5 years now with no issues.
Me too, when I get on the interstate I just set the cruise and relax.
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Old 03-01-2018, 01:04 AM   #6
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Add me to the yes colum. Makes driving the M/H that much more enjoyable.
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Old 03-01-2018, 01:41 AM   #7
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I use mine on the open road if it's not too hilly. Helps to keep me under 65 MPH.
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Old 03-01-2018, 02:11 AM   #8
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I am in the HECK YES column. My Duramax Chevy 3500 does a great job on cruise control. Just set it and let it downshift to climb the hills and use the exhaust brake to help it down the hills. If I need to intervene, I leave the cruise control on and use the manual shifting option. These trucks were made for this. Let them do the work.
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Old 03-01-2018, 02:56 AM   #9
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I use mine on flat freeways with little traffic. Not in any hills up or down. Big no when it is any kind of wet.
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Old 03-01-2018, 09:34 AM   #10
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I use mine on flat freeways with little traffic. Not in any hills up or down. Big no when it is any kind of wet.
This is pretty much my take on it.

I use mine only on flat dry ground. This was when I was towing with our F-150. The motor home is a whole different animal, on that I use it just like I would on an empty or lightly loaded truck.

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Old 03-01-2018, 09:45 AM   #11
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Dry, flat and level with light traffic. Yes.
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Old 03-01-2018, 08:59 PM   #12
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I use mine when the road conditions allow it. Whether I use it or not, I still drive by EGT...and shift when needed based on EGT
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Old 03-03-2018, 01:15 AM   #13
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I use mine when the road conditions allow it. Whether I use it or not, I still drive by EGT...and shift when needed based on EGT
Never heard of shifting based on exhaust gas temperature. Care to explain your technique to us ignorant masses?
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Old 03-03-2018, 03:09 AM   #14
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yes, except in hilly terrain.
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Old 03-03-2018, 09:33 AM   #15
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Never heard of shifting based on exhaust gas temperature. Care to explain your technique to us ignorant masses?
Not ignorant at all. I was a diesel mechanic for many years and now view it as a hobby. LOL. When I tow, especially through the mountains going between Michigan and South Carolina, I watch my EGT gage. When it hits 1200 degrees (post turbo), I down shift. 1300 plus for any extended period can damage the turbo I have. Some watch their RPM, but with a diesel it is all about heat. More heat = less fuel you can put thru the injectors. I run a Banks intercooler for more cooling capacity along with an ATS Aurora 3000 turbo. Been towing this way for 10 years now. I have a pre- and post-EGT gage. I do use cruise on flatter terrain, such as when we go to and from Michigan International Speedway or other campgrounds we frequent in the area. Even when using cruise, I eyeball the EGT.
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Old 03-03-2018, 04:51 PM   #16
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Not ignorant at all. I was a diesel mechanic for many years and now view it as a hobby. LOL. When I tow, especially through the mountains going between Michigan and South Carolina, I watch my EGT gage. When it hits 1200 degrees (post turbo), I down shift. 1300 plus for any extended period can damage the turbo I have. Some watch their RPM, but with a diesel it is all about heat. More heat = less fuel you can put thru the injectors. .
I have questions for you. In order to not be accused of hijacking this thread I'm going to start a new thread under tow vehicles. Watch for EGT in the title.
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Old 03-03-2018, 04:52 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Occupant5143 View Post
I have questions for you. In order to not be accused of hijacking this thread I'm going to start a new thread under tow vehicles. Watch for EGT in the title.
[emoji106]

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Old 03-03-2018, 05:24 PM   #18
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Cruise Control

Yes. But a very much a newbie to RVs.

Conditions permitting I will definitely use Cruise Control. Mostly due to bad knees and leg pain. Have to be able to shift legs and driving position often.

I have noticed an interesting anomaly. In cruise control the transmission shifts much earlier and stays in a lower gear much longer. Does not matter in in "Tow Mode" or not. If I am controlling throttle the shifting is more "relaxed"

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Old 03-04-2018, 12:58 AM   #19
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I use cruise and the exhaust brake all the time.
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Old 03-04-2018, 10:22 AM   #20
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I use cruise and the exhaust brake all the time.
What kind of tow vehicle do you have? Welcome to the forum...
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