My TV is a 2001 6 cyl. Tacoma automatic with a towing package and my TT is 18ft and weighs 2900lbs dry - est. 3400 loaded. When towing, I turn off the overdrive and select the extra power button for adjusting my shift points. I usually keep my speed at 60 mph when on the level and the highway is straight-ish.Up till now, I have avoided using the cruise control. I am going on a long trip this June that will include some long stretches on the interstate. Is it okay to use the cruise control under those situations? If so, is there anything to watch out for or be aware about?

I use mine all the time. so long as the transmission doesn't hunt for gears all the time it is OK to use it.

Your operators manual is the best source of information for such a question, with regards to towing.When I started, I pulled my camper very similar to yours with a 6 cyl station wagon. I set the cruise for 55-60 and shifted the trans into "sport" mode, which the operator manual pointed out delivers more low end torque and was recommended for "spirited" driving, towing and hilly terrain.Since your Tacoma has the towing package and towing button, hit it and let the computer worry about your transmission... no need to turn off the overdrive unless instructed by your operators manual.

I've been meaning to post this question for a while - I'm glad it's hear. I'm towing with a 2009 Dodge ram 5.9L hemi. I am a little near the weight limit when fully loaded so avoid traveling with full tanks / etc. I've heard (somewhere on this board) that when you're in hilly country it's best to stay out of cruise control and manually control speed up hills. Is that good advice?

dvitale300 wrote:I've been meaning to post this question for a while - I'm glad it's hear. I'm towing with a 2009 Dodge ram 5.9L hemi. I am a little near the weight limit when fully loaded so avoid traveling with full tanks / etc. I've heard (somewhere on this board) that when you're in hilly country it's best to stay out of cruise control and manually control speed up hills. Is that good advice?The manual for my 5.7L hemi (2013 ram 1500) states to stop using cruise control if speed drops more than 8mph going up a hill. I'm way under in terms of towing weight but at the line payload wise. I haven't met a grade yet that the hemi can't climb and hold the cruising speed. Some of the steepest grades in Canada and Alaska had the computer shifting into 2nd gear and the engine was roaring, but hey, that's what it's made for right?

We will switch to cruise control on the long level roadways. When we get into the hills however and the truck starts talking you then of course we switch it out then.Roy Ken

Is using cruise control okay? | Good Sam Community

dave54
Nomad
Jun 10, 2015
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
I'm shocked that I have not heard about not using your CC in wet weather because if you loose traction your truck and trailer will become air born and fly around like a kite!!! :R

Myself? I use my CC aobut 90% of when I'm towing.

The warning "no CC in the rain" is outdated. All cars since 2002(?)(not sure of the year) the CC auto disengages if one tire loses traction. Add in the stability and anti-skid controls standard on most cars now you may be safer in the rain with CC than on dry roads with no CC.

There are still a lot of pre 2002 cars on the road, so all the safety agencies give their one-size-fits-all message. They cannot say one car is OK to CC in the rain while another one should not.
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Jun 10, 2015
I'm shocked that I have not heard about not using your CC in wet weather because if you loose traction your truck and trailer will become air born and fly around like a kite!!! :R

Myself? I use my CC aobut 90% of when I'm towing.
allen8106
Explorer
Jun 09, 2015
I had a 2009 GMC 6.0L gasser and towed the 5ver to Cali and back. Could not even try to use the cruise due to constant shifting. Truck even had a tow switch. The 2013 GMC diesel is entirely a different story. Used cruise control in all but the most steep terrain between Phoenix and Holbrook.
dave54
Nomad
Jun 08, 2015
Go ahead and use CC. Your vehicle will let you know when to turn it off.

My Tundra CC turns itself off automatically if it cannot maintain the set speed.
KPSmithSr
Explorer
Jun 07, 2015
dvitale300,

It has been my experience that when I FORGOT to turn the T/H on, I got higher tranny temps during hilly or stop and go traffic. Didn't really notice anything during straight and level driving. (Could have been hotter, just didn't notice and I do normally look at the tranny temp in my cross check.) I have a Carriage Cameo that weighs 14,000+. I always (intend to) turn on my T/H when I am towing.
campigloo
Explorer
Jun 06, 2015
Use the TH. Not only does it do the many things mentioned above, it also raises fluid pressure which gives much quicker shifts resulting in lower temps I use CC almost all the time.
PeteK-Hou
Explorer
Jun 05, 2015
pappcam wrote:
I'm always in Tow/Haul mode when I'm towing and I always use my cruise control unless I'm in hills or heavy traffic.

I tend to not overthink simple straight forward things but that's just me.

X2
pitch
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2015
2013 Ram 5.7 towing 5300 lbs. Tow haul is engaged any time the trailer is hooked up. I lock out 6th gear on all but long downhill areas on interstates. On two lane hilly curving roads I keep it in 4th gear. Much better response.
Try different things on your next trip, monitor your transmission temps. Mine runs much cooler running the way I outlined.
pappcam
Explorer
Jun 05, 2015
I'm always in Tow/Haul mode when I'm towing and I always use my cruise control unless I'm in hills or heavy traffic.

I tend to not overthink simple straight forward things but that's just me.
owenssailor
Explorer
Jun 05, 2015
The manual for my Silverado says to use tow/haul when towing a heavy load or carrying a heavy load. I understand that this changes the shift points to avoid hunting, locks up the converter to reduce heat build up and enables downshifting to maintain speed going down hill. It works.

When towing the TT I always engage Tow/Haul (and also turn on the headlights).

I rarely use cruise towing or not but that is just me. When I use it on relatively level ground towing it works fine.

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Is using cruise control okay?

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