Cruise control or not

[Goodpete]

I am fairly new to towing and I just thought about using cruise control when towing. I have taken several trips in the last year and realize that I have never used it while towing. Do you use it? Are there any concerns when doing so, other than the obvious?

[glazier]

I use it as much as I can, it makes for a much easier trip IMO.

[DustyR]

kaydeejay wrote:
Sure do, as much as possible.
I have to believe if the Manufacturer did not want us to use it when towing, they would deactivate cruise control when Tow/Haul is selected.
To the best of my knowledge no-one does that.

X-2
The only time I DO NOT USE CRUISE is on rainy or slick road. I just completed a 2100+ mile drive and was on Tow/Haul and cruise the entire time, except for heavy traffic and slick/rainy road. I probably could get better mileage using the foot throttle, but at what cost. I still can react to traffic situations just as quickly when necessary while on cruise. My Duramax is equipped with a turbo brake and I was able to experience it in action when the vehicle in front of me reduced speed drastically for a deer.

[Community Alumni]

Two things I use all the time are Tow/Haul and cruise.

[Mr_Beebo]

The last three Tow vehicles I have owned I did not use the cruise at all, unless on long stretches of flat land. My experience is that the cruise will cause the tranny to downshift much more and accelerate more harshly to maintain speed than I will on my own. I average about 1 to 1 1/2 mpg less when using the cruise control. That said, it is much more relaxing to have both feet on the floor.

[Dfresh]

I use the cruise as much as I can. Sure helps with the fuel mileage.

[Gsturner]

Use it on flatland and without a serious headwind. Hills or stupid headwind will cause way premature downshifts.

[kaydeejay]

Sure do, as much as possible.
I have to believe if the Manufacturer did not want us to use it when towing, they would deactivate cruise control when Tow/Haul is selected.
To the best of my knowledge no-one does that.

[Goodpete]

Ok, consensus is, use it on long mostly level roads and no on the bigger hills. Makes sense. I appreciate the comments

[korbe]

Nope. Most of our towing is in the hills but while towing I want to be ready for any and everything, which includes my foot on the gas and ready for the brake.

[Bull_Rider]

Use cruise a LOT, the sooner I can get up to speed and set the cruise the better. If I can find a semi that's doing the same speed, and also has cruise so much the better.

I don't use the cruise on hills that require any kind of down shift, or down grades that require additional braking. Any I don't use cruise in congested areas.

[Winged_One]

BB_TX wrote:
Flat to gently rolling terrain and long trips I use it often.
If I am approaching a hill that I think will cause a donwshift I will press the throttle (while still in cruise) as I approach the hill and ease off as I start up the hill. Usually keeps it in overdrive rather than downshifting.

+1

Bigger hills, I don't use it, just because it would chew up so much fuel. Better to plan ahead. Plus going down some hills, it jumps to a higher gear to slow, sometimes too quickly for my liking.

[fla-gypsy]

I get better mileage not using it on my SuperDuty

[DavisK]

I use mine as much as I can.

[BB_TX]

Flat to gently rolling terrain and long trips I use it often.
If I am approaching a hill that I think will cause a donwshift I will press the throttle (while still in cruise) as I approach the hill and ease off as I start up the hill. Usually keeps it in overdrive rather than downshifting.

[raston]

I use mine when ever I can, but in the hills I use my foot. So, My opinion is on open highway go for it. But in the hills, use your best judgement. But when using it, just don't get so relaxed you forget you're hauling a lot of extra weight. Enjoy!!!