Cruise Control While Towing?

DorothynJon · 07-10-2017, 06:30 PM

My 2015 Ram 3500 HD DRW 6.7L Turbo Diesel is my first diesel vehicle. We just got the truck a few months ago, along with our Hideout 5th Wheel. Off the wall question: Is there a danger to using the cruise control while towing? Am I going to tear something up/damage something? Even loaded, the 5er weighs less than half the towing capacity of the truck. Thanks in advance!

gearhead · 07-10-2017, 06:34 PM

I have done it where it's safe. Long flat interstates, not much traffic, etc.

**sourdough** · 07-10-2017, 06:38 PM

You can use the cruise and not damage anything. I don't, many do. When towing you need all the help you can get in an emergency situation. Using cruise slows all that down IMO. If you see disaster in front of you, hopefully you have had your brake foot poised and can hit it; even then it takes a moment for everything to kick in and your trailer to activate the brakes. When you're using cruise it takes considerably longer; the cruise has to let go then the brakes activate. These are just my thoughts and reasons for not using it; I know others will disagree but those are my thoughts.

66joej · 07-10-2017, 06:41 PM

Don't use mine. Feel more in control as we use a Ram 1500 as a tow vehicle. Not over loaded or over payload. JMO

**chuckster57** · 07-10-2017, 06:41 PM

I used cruise control once years ago. Felt myself getting too complacent behind the wheel. Don't use it now, but have no issues with those that do.

FTWingRiders · 07-10-2017, 06:52 PM

I will when prudent, just to give the right foot a shake or two or longer when I can.

**JRTJH** · 07-10-2017, 06:52 PM

On the open road I use it, when in traffic or on a crowded interstate, I turn it off. As for damaging something, I don't think you'd need to worry about that. If the transmission starts "hunting" or downshifting/upshifting frequently, you might want to downshift one gear and use your foot. About the only time I've had that happen was climbing overpasses with a gas truck, but I suppose it could happen with a diesel under the right circumstances.

the sodfather · 07-10-2017, 07:02 PM

I'll use it on flat desolate roads. When I get in any sort of traffic, off it goes. Never in hills. When I use it, my fuel economy drops 1-1.5 mpg.

Ken / Claudia · 07-10-2017, 07:50 PM

Open road,(freeway or highway) light traffic yes, I use it then. With my trailer in tow I have tested the CC on uphill grades. Short hills it will keep truck at 60-65. The big grades I just turn it off.

Desert185 · 07-10-2017, 09:24 PM

I use mine whenever I can when not in the mountains or moderately heavy traffic. I have to watch EGT on my truck and since I have a stick, it has to be off when shifting to another gear.

Mikesamoose · 07-10-2017, 09:54 PM

I use it when ever I can. I tend to have a lead foot and it helps me behave. I don't use it in traffic or on windy roads. I haven't noticed it work the truck harder or cause any issue with the trandmission. In fact in the tow/haul mode it will hold downhill speeds better than me.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

xrated · 07-10-2017, 11:55 PM

This thread kind of reminds me of another thread that was started several days ago...."If You've Got It.....Use It"! The difference in responses though, on this one, I use it...as much as I can! I mean, why have it and not use it. I paid for it....it's not like I'm going to get more money out of my truck when I sell it because it's not been used. For Sale....15 year old truck.....Cruise Control Never Used!

Harleydodge · 07-11-2017, 02:15 AM

I have it and use it when I feel it's safe to do so.
Keeping my speed in check and giving my leg/foot a break are the main reasons for me.
I keep my right thumb resting on the "cancel" button. If pressed, the exhaust brake and transmission do a great job of slowing us down.

{tpc} · 07-11-2017, 04:18 AM

When I know the road ahead is flat, and it feels safe to do so, I will use the cruise. For me I actually am more steady when using it than when not, as I don't have to fool with the gas and the wheel at that point. But when its bad traffic or going up and down hills, I don't use it, because it "hunts" for the right gear too much.

My truck isn't a huge fan of dropping into second and high revving because I dropped from 60 mph to 55...lol.

bsmith0404 · 07-11-2017, 04:25 AM

Use it whenever I can. Like others I don't use it in situations when it wouldn't make sense, like around town or in heavy traffic where speed isn't a constant. I don't use it in he mountains.

the sodfather · 07-11-2017, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrated

This thread kind of reminds me of another thread that was started several days ago...."If You've Got It.....Use It"! The difference in responses though, on this one, I use it...as much as I can! I mean, why have it and not use it. I paid for it....it's not like I'm going to get more money out of my truck when I sell it because it's not been used. For Sale....15 year old truck.....Cruise Control Never Used!

Very true. BUT... There are a lot of good deals out there on cars with brand new blinkers!

xrated · 07-11-2017, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the sodfather

Very true. BUT... There are a lot of good deals out there on cars with brand new blinkers!

Ain't that the truth! And there are a lot of highways that have an almost new right lane.....because all the "slow rollers" are in the passing lane.

B-O-B'03 · 07-11-2017, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert185

I use mine whenever I can when not in the mountains or moderately heavy traffic. I have to watch EGT on my truck and since I have a stick, it has to be off when shifting to another gear.

Does the cruise control not disengage when the clutch is pushed in?

It does on my 2003 Cobra... not sure how Dodge trucks work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrated

Ain't that the truth! And there are a lot of highways that have an almost new right lane.....because all the "slow rollers" are in the passing lane.

Yep, with all the signs like "Left lane for passing only", "Slower traffic keep right", etc... not sure why it is so difficult for people to figure out... entitlement mentality I suppose.

Maybe if the highway patrol focused on fixing that, there would be less road rage incidents?

A $500 ticket might get the point across.

-Brian

Desert185 · 07-11-2017, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-O-B'03

Does the cruise control not disengage when the clutch is pushed in?

It does on my 2003 Cobra... not sure how Dodge trucks work.

-Brian

Older truck, so I guess not. If I plan to do a fair amount of shifting the cruise control doesn't get used, anyway, so not a big deal.

I like the fact that there are minimal whistles and bells. Less stuff to fail. The truck just reliably plugs along. 329,000 miles and counting.

B-O-B'03 · 07-11-2017, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert185

Older truck, so I guess not. If I plan to do a fair amount of shifting the cruise control doesn't get used, anyway, so not a big deal.

I like the fact that there are minimal whistles and bells. Less stuff to fail. The truck just reliably plugs along. 329,000 miles and counting.

Very nice

The Cobra with be 15 in Sept, also low frills... it does have power windows and an in-dash, 6 CD changer + a sweet motor, that stock put 409 HP, 392 FT-LB to the tires...

under 80K miles though... Just my dry weather baby

-Brian

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