flgatorgirl
New Smyrna Beach, FL/ Blue Ridge GA
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Just returned from our first trip in our 2006 Granite Ridge. The motorhome performed very well, but the cruise control seems to be a bit harsh. It waits until you have dropped 5-7 miles in speed and then just floors it (up to 4000 RPM) to get back up to speed. Sometimes it stays in this mode when you have crested the hill and are going downhill. It would also do this on occasion when a large truck would go by.
Any thoughts, ideas for a tuner type product, etc? I am sure it is sucking down gas and the sound of the engine screaming is not very reassuring. Thanks.
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oujoker
Monterey, CA
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Joined: 05/13/2008
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are you towing? My E450 on cruise control does pretty good when flat/level unless I am pulling the boat (and even then not so bad). Maybe you need to check with dealer to get that tuned, seems like that is not quite right.
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ron.dittmer
Near Chicago
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Joined: 02/26/2007
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Do you know about the tow/haul mode switch on the end of the gear shift lever? If not, next trip, push it in and leave the tow/haul mode activated for all RV driving. It might help.
I personally concluded the cruise control consumes too much fuel. On our first big trip out west last September crossing the great plains, there were many over-passes the highway makes. The cruise control would crank up the engine despirately trying to maintain the cruising speed, just to slow down on the other side. Our next trip, we don't plan to use the cruise control at all to improve our gas mileage.
I wished there was a "Smart" setting to provide a window of cruising speed for such conditions to save gas, allowing the RV to go slower up hill and faster down hill.
* This post was
edited 06/05/08 10:48am by ron.dittmer *
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flgatorgirl
New Smyrna Beach, FL/ Blue Ridge GA
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Yes, we were towing a trailer. However, it did the same thing on the way back from picking it up in Houston, not towing anything. Just revs a bit more with the trailer. Tried the tow/haul button also. In some cases it actually made it worse. It just seems pretty imprecise and I can't imagine it is good for the engine or transmission. We had to hit the brakes to get it downshift most of the times because it was just ridiculous.
I am not normally a big user of cruise control, but it is definitely more comfortable to use on this rig. My leg/foot got a bit fatigued otherwise. I also was under the impression it would help with gas mileage.
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dmatt
Ventura County, CA
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Maybe yours is part of the Ford recall for cruise control devices Could just be a bad unit.
2007 Four Winds Dutchmen 29R-Ford E-450 V-10 towing a 2008 Toyota Matrix XR
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Charles2222
Macon Georgia
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My first suggestion is take it to the dealer.
Next suggestion as posted before,never use it except for short periods to relax foot and leg.
My e-450 cruise on a 05 is as good as any cruise I have ever driven.
I have found that I can do as others have already posted,I can out operate cruise by useing judgement as to when to demand speed or when to slack up on the gas.
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ABBACUS
Lakehills, TX
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Joined: 02/19/2007
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I have a 2008 Jayco Melbourne E-450 with the New Transmission, new with no items or water it weight 13,000 lBS. It drives great, but the cruise has too much delay. I took it to a special Big Ford Truck/RV Service in Arlington TX and was told too bad they all drive that way. Good luck getting it adjusted. I now tow a 2005 Jeep Liberty with tow mode on and never use the cruise. I get 8.5 MPG with high winds and some hills. Post a message with you can find anyone in Tex to do the repair/adjustment. Thanks BJ
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1rosario
Phoenix, Arizona
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I noticed the same thing on ours. I used the cc and the engine would slack and then floor it to get it back up to speed. Especially on small inclines. I turned it off and decided to just use my foot. I know when to slow down and I will increase speed gradually if I need to. Anything to save a little gas.
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jcamp123
Putnum County, New York
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What Ron said above is true.You will burn more fuel using the cruise control if you are towing or not. The only time it is beneficial is if you are on level ground
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super_camper
Ontario, Canada
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flgatorgirl wrote:Just returned from our first trip in our 2006 Granite Ridge. The motorhome performed very well, but the cruise control seems to be a bit harsh. It waits until you have dropped 5-7 miles in speed and then just floors it (up to 4000 RPM) to get back up to speed. Sometimes it stays in this mode when you have crested the hill and are going downhill. It would also do this on occasion when a large truck would go by.
I have an '06 E450 and experience about the same thing when I'm pulling our toad, a 4200lb Ford Edge. Mine is slow to engage but not as slow as you describe - more like 3-5MPH. I also notice that it will often not upshift after you crest a hill - I find that if you just tap the gas pedal it will shift right away.
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