?Cruise Control While Towing

[jeffs8269]

Just purchased a 30' travel trailer and towed it home this past weekend for about 150 miles. Followed all of the towing recomendations (tow mode, 4th gear only, etc.) but I also set cruise control to on. On uphill grades I had some major downshifting and major RPM (4-5K). Should cruise control be on during towing or should I just use manual downshift when needed?
Thanks

[Davegvg]

In the hills - I go manual and disengage cruise, Oh you can keep cruise on but youll have to live way too much of a MPH swing before the downshift even in "tow mode".

When zooming through the dessert and near flats I usually set it at 72-5 in 4th and let it row the box until I hit a serious hill.

Yeah with a 30 footer Im guessing thats going to be like 7-8500 loaded up with water etc. Maybe more
My 24 footer Is like 6500-7 when loaded with dirt bike fuel and water.

Thats going to require manual shifts down into 3rd maybe 2nd at times with a load like that. Totally keep it away from 5th, or youll burn up.

Davegvg

04 Titan CC le 4X4 big tow
95 Maxima Stillen blower brakes
21ft Laveycraft sebring tunnel (406 small block 100+ mph)
2 Yamaha banshee stage3/4
Cr-500
24ft weekend warrior
2 segway human transporter
1 96 BMW Z3 (wife car hate it)
Kalamazoo BB4 dual fuel SS grill

[cttitan]

Same here. I use cruise on the flat lands but in the hills it's manual. Cruise has a hard time maintaining speed in the hills and doesn't make the drive very smooth!!

[hnc71655]

I'll jump in here and amend the question while you heavy tow guys are answering. I rarely tow a heavy load -- maybe my tractor on a utility trailer would be the heaviest (>6000) and I take it slow and in lower gear, etc. But when I tow one of my boats (1000-1200 max) the Titan doesn't seem to even know it's back there. I put it in tow mode, usually, but don't worry about it otherwise -- should I? Sometimes those are longer-distance, high-speed trips.

[loufish]

I tow a small pop-up tent trailer, maybe 2500 lbs, and use the CC all the time EXCEPT for up hills. Much better to have control of the trans for that.
With my trailer, I use 5th on the flat ground, and always "Tow Mode".

[HudsonValleyTitan]

I just bought a new 27' Sunline SR travel trailer weighing in dry at 6100LBS. While towing on FLAT ground, cruise is fine....as well as using "D" for better mileage. When it comes to hills, kill the cruise and drop it into 4th and be sure to use the TOW MODE. Once over the hills....cruise away in "D" again! Using your head works every time.

[Bayou Titan]

When pulling a trailer, it is always safer not to use cruise control. I rented a car transporter from Uhaul two weeks ago and the instructions stated NOT to use cruise control.

[loufish]

the instructions stated NOT to use cruise control.

I feel that's not a mechanical issue, just a safety one. It's just that safety warnings have to be given out to everbody because some bozo spills hot coffee on themselves, then sues...There are lot of things someone with comman sense can do safely...just don't spill that coffee!

[MikeDeuce]

Those Uhaul transporters also say not to exceed 45mph... did you listen to that one too?

[Steamguy]

Originally Posted by loufish

I feel that's not a mechanical issue, just a safety one. It's just that safety warnings have to be given out to everbody because some bozo spills hot coffee on themselves, then sues...There are lot of things someone with comman sense can do safely...just don't spill that coffee!

Totally agree, Loufish.

We've been towing with various trucks for years, and the Titan is one of the best tow vehicles we've had. We tow a 7000# 27' Arctic Fox, and have hills and hills and hills here in Western Washington every way you turn.

We always tow in 4 with the cruise on, and if there's something really big coming up, jam the foot on the gas, cancel cruise, and click-shift 'er down one notch. Hit the top, back to speed and gear, and 'resume' cruise.

Using the cruise gets you there without being all tired from having to manage the foot-feed constantly -- but you have to have common sense.

[Bayou Titan]

Does using cruise control work against the change in the shift points that the tow mode sets?

[Steamguy]

Originally Posted by Bayou Titan

Does using cruise control work against the change in the shift points that the tow mode sets?

Bayou,

It's been our experience that tow mode is practically useless. When we're towing in D, (w/ or w/o tow mode on) the tranny heats up too much for comfort and the truck just plain can't decide what gear to be in.

Last year we posted a long review of the Titan's towing abilities as discovered on our trip to see our nephews in Colorado; sort of a there-and-back-report. The short version as it applies here: Tow mode should be re-thought so as to keep the truck in converter-locked 4 or unlocked 5 and make it enable-able from any gear, not just D.

[aero320]

The owner's manual says not to use the cruise control when towing.

[loufish]

The owner's manual says not to use the cruise control when towing.

But Mommy says don't eat your desert till you finish dinner...I'm gona tell...I'm gona tell....I'm gona call Nissan and tell......

Do everything the manual & mama tells you to...