Tow Vehicle Cruise Control
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4813
Printed Date: 19 Aug 2025 at 5:41pm
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Topic: Tow Vehicle Cruise Control
Posted By: cody91
Subject: Tow Vehicle Cruise Control
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2014 at 2:54pm
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Just wanted to take a poll to see how many of you routinely use the cruise control on your tow vehicle when towing the RPOD. Are there any downsides (in terms of MPG, additional wear and tear, etc.)?
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Replies:
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2014 at 4:24pm
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i use cruise, i can only assume it helps my mpg, no noted additional wear/tear that i am aware of. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2023 F150 2017 HD Streetglide CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2014 at 5:04pm
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We use cruise. Never an issue. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2014 at 5:33pm
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I do. There's the added benefit of automatic grade braking when in tow/haul mode - it downshifts to maintain the set speed on downhills. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: codycountry
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2014 at 5:47pm
| Just never ever use cruise control if the roads are slick, but of course you know that. |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2014 at 5:49pm
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Depends on which vehicle I'm driving and what the terrain is like. Our Toyota FJ Cruiser has the worst cruise control I've ever experienced. Many other Toyota owners complain about it too on several different models. When it downshifts to maintain speed it accelerates beyond the setpoint by 4-5 mph. Annoying as can be. Don't understand why Toyota does it this way and why they have ignored owner complaints about it for years. So I don't use it in hilly terrain as, depending on how close to the speed limit you drive, it could get you a ticket! My 96 Ford diesel pickup has a really good cruise control, it stays where you set it and if it has to downshift it NEVER goes beyond the set point. Back in the 70's I used to put my own cruise controls on as they weren't that common then. They had a vacuum operated servo that pulled on a throttle cable, connected with a bead chain to the carb or throttle body butterfly lever. One had to install magnets on the drive shaft to measure the speed for the control box. They were adjustable and worked much better than Toyota cruise controls 40 years later! I'd slap one on my Toyota in a second except it doesn't have a place to attach a throttle cable as it is an electric stepping motor that works the throttle and I'm not even sure anyone even still makes them.. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2014 at 6:04pm
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I experienced the same thing with my Sienna. While my 'burb will drop 4-5 before it tries to catch up, it does it carefully so it doesn't shoot way past. I think the difference is the full-size Ford and Chevy platforms are designed for towing from the start so they handle the extra load without panicking. The Sienna, and probably the FJ, is really just designed for passenger loads. Add the extra stress and the computer doesn't deal with it right. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: jan demarinis
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2014 at 6:46pm
| I use cruise as often as possible. BMW x3 135i. No problems. |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2014 at 8:10pm
It does the same thing even if just the driver, no load, no towing. What baffles me the most is Toyota hasn't fixed it...all is computer controlled, can't be but just a few bits in the code to change it..but nooooo. I'm serious it would almost keep me from considering another Toyota. Had them in the past and they didn't do this. None of the Hondas/Fords/Chevys/Dodges I've owned or driven for many miles (company cars) have done this... ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2014 at 3:12am
I agree. I've argued that the crappy cruise control on the FJ is a recall issue. It annoys the bejeebers out of me that it will drop 3 gears sometimes when going up even a moderate hill. You're going along at 70 and the tach is at around say 2200rpm. All of a sudden the tach goes to 5500 or 6 frigging thousand! And you're right, it's not about towing. I mostly don't use cruise control when towing because of this. Maybe I would in Kansas. Wouldn't keep me from buying another FJ, but it is the worst cruise control I've ever encountered. I installed a couple of those DIY cruise controls back in the day. They worked very well. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2014 at 3:35am
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I have found the same thing with my FJ with or without the pod, going up almost any incline the sucker will go from say 2000rpm to 3-4 rpm. I use cruise control but only when on flat ground. Yes it means starting and stopping the cruise but its only a button. I like the looks of the FJ (tank like/nothing going to hurt me in it except maybe a fully loaded 18 wheeler.) ------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2014 at 5:31am
Yes I've learned when I see a hill coming to kick the cruise off. I use it a lot to rest my foot, old age has a way of making things get stiff or sore quickly Like said it will downshift as many gears as it needs to in order to keep the speed up, even if that means redline! Crazy. I think if it can't get it on the next gear down or maybe two it needs to reduce speed or give up and drop out. As for resting my foot etc- I'm looking into a second gas pedal on the left side- I know I've seen them in cars modified for amputees etc...would be nice to switch feet occasionally in places where cruise control just isn't practical. I'm bummed Toyota is dropping the FJ- just a few changes and I'd be considering a new one. Hate the fact the rear door windows don't open, my dogs hate it even more. Remove the large blind spots and swap those dang outside mirrors. The mirrors could be made to rotate 90 deg so they could either be tall or wide depending on what was needed*. Slope the windshield some to improve fuel mileage and reduce rock damage..we have had two stone stars already in 40,000 miles...my 96 pickup has 200,000+ and has none! The windshield people will tell you that is one of the hardest to change and the trim is frequently damaged requiring replacement. Guess what, the trim doesn't come painted, so it really gets expensive. If I had my dreams they'd put about a 3L turbo diesel in it, and offer a 6 speed manual ( I would consider one of the new 7 or 8 speed automatics) that did not require full time 4wd, still want 4wd just don't want it ALL the time as that hurts fuel mileage. And of course- FIX the cruise control. * For those that don't know off roaders generally prefer a tall mirror so they can see exactly where the tires are in tricky situations. On the road a wide mirror is preferred to see that small car next to you so you don't change lanes into him, and in our case to see around that trailer you are towing. Man, I wish I still had my 1974 FJ40 I bought brand new back then, for a mere $4000, it had a better cruise control that I put on it. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: Kermit
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2014 at 9:04am
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There is a company making replacement windows for the back doors that open. I think saw them advertised in a recent 4x4 mag. ------------- '14 182g Towed by various Jeeps |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2014 at 9:33am
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My 2013 Tacoma cruise control does the same thing. Annoying! I use CC while towing on level to moderate hills, but turn it off on the roller coaster highways. I can essentially maintain the same speeds uphill by careful application of the accelerator.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2014 at 9:38am
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Thanks Kermit- That might be the Freedom windows you saw. Unfortunately they are plastic and I object to that! Keep hoping someone will devise glass ones that pop out to a vent position and ideally can just be removed quickly if need be. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2014 at 7:31pm
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Cruise on my 2014 Tundra is smooth on hills. Maybe it's the difference in a vehicle that is designed to tow and one that's more passenger oriented. |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2014 at 10:12pm
| Only real downside is climbing hills. You may want to slow down instead of killing the engine in higher RPM's. |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2014 at 10:15pm
Toyota will never bring a diesel to North America.. I had a 4Runner for 10 years and had that dream.. Had to switch to a German made diesel SUV to get what I wanted/needed. |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2014 at 7:27am
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The Ram 1500 with its new Fiat diesel engine with a 8 speed transmision is very popular have not read how good of a TV it is. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2014 at 10:46am
http://wardsauto.com/vehicles-amp-technology/toyota-tundra-set-receive-cummins-diesel ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: CyberShanks
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2014 at 4:39pm
Posted By: CyberShanks
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2014 at 4:41pm
I haven't towed our R-Pod much yet, just on the way home from the dealer. Had cruise set at 74 most of the way home. My truck doesn't even realize the pod is behind it.  Jim |
Posted By: CO_PILOT
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2014 at 11:49am
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Our 2012 Honda Pilot has a 3.5L V-6 (250 hp) with a 5 speed automatic transmission. We tow the RP-178 in cruise mode (about 60 mph) all the time. We average 12 mpg under those conditions. When I see an uphill approaching, I hit the button that locks the xmsn into 3rd gear. That revs the engine to about 4,000 rpms (Honda motors love it) and allows the rig to easily maintain 60 without going thru the 5th to 4th to 3rd dance (losing 5 mph in the process) it would have had to do anyway. I believe it takes less gas (and wear) to maintain momentum than to recover it. ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 -- 2012 Honda Pilot 
Roadwise Wisdom for both Bikers and Froggers alike: http://www.dansher.com/bikequotes.html |
Posted By: Markus5
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2014 at 6:09pm
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Our 2104 Dodge Caravan has plenty of power and pulls nice. But the cruise and trans are nuts. I've taken to using manual shifting and favoring 4th and 5 gears. I just won't down shift and lets the speed drop and drop and revs down to 1200 until it finally goes down from 6th to 4th and revs up to 4000. Soon as it can it up shifts onto 6th and drops the revs to something normal and the process starts over. Cruise or not - its the same. 'Econ' mode or not - its the same. I'd love to use cruise. I'd love to use 'drive'.
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Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2014 at 7:53pm
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I read some reviews that others have had problems with the way the transmission shifts in the new Caravans, you are not alone. Maybe it will be a electronic problem they will be able to fix. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |