Adaptive cruise control on Newmars

[beedub]

Looking at 2020 Newmars and some have the Adaptive cruise control. Question is, is this option worth it or is it just another thing to go wrong when you don’t need it. Owners comments would be appreciated.

[R.Wold]

I’m sure some think it’s beneficial. I don’t like my vehicle thinking for me and you can’t idiot proof driving, so I’m in the second category. It’s an expensive option, completely unnecessary, and probably either an annoyance if you use it, or a waste of $$ if you don’t. For those that like it, great! Just not my cup of tea.

For a little background, this is old technology that is just now creeping into vehicle manufacturing. The article below is about a successful but ultimately unpopular automated highway project. My wife was an EEE and managed a good deal of the consortium as well as “Demo ‘97” in the article below. It was interesting, and fun riding in automated vehicles, but I just prefer to drive.

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publication...uly/demo97.cfm

My wife in 1997: "Of course, the technical content has to be there, but educating our stakeholders is also a big part of the success of the demo," says Terry Quinlan, NAHSC test and demonstration manager. "Once highway users understand the true benefits of AHS, they're likely to become excited about its potential and look forward to deployment of near-term AHS technologies such as intelligent cruse control, collision warning systems, and lane departure detection."

Interesting that “near term” turned out to be about 20 years, but most of the technologies demonstrated in 1997 have found their way into a variety of vehicles these days. In some applications it can be very worthwhile, but to me, adaptive cruise control seems to me to be a poor fit for motorhomes.

[Cloud Dancer]

Mine is a 2003 40 ft Newmar on a Spartan chassis. It has an excellent cruise control, excellent ride quality, excellent power steering and directional stability. Overall, it's far from perfect. If I could afford it I would buy a new one, a NEWELL, and put up with the modern stuff. It's like I love LearJets, but would prefer a Gulfstream V .....

[Fiesta48]

Alert driving "using brain power" will always do better. I've avoided hundreds of potential accidents and drove motorcycles for 50 years without any major accident. Minor yes.
If you anticipate (meaning you can't fix stupid) and drive slower than those around you too can live longer.
Safety devices help when your "stupid".
Some accidents are not avoidable but keep the think between ears working.

[Skip426]

This thread will be worth a read .

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/on-g...es-494863.html

JMHO: To much computer control of the vehicle .

[Ed Headington]

Well, as opposed to the previous posters, we have adaptive cruise control on our 2018 Toyota Corolla (which is our toad) and I love it. I like to use cruise control almost all the time, and it just gives me a sense of security that I don't have when I drive our other car that does not have it. I certainly don't ignore road conditions and depend on it solely, but it is a great comfort to me to have its little radar looking out as backup for me! And--- lets face it if you use regular cruise control you have a computer controlling your car anyway.

[Ilvmygt]

I would Google the adaptive Cruise Control in the Trucking industry. It seem to work good in cars but when a car cut off a truck with adaptive Cruise Control the truck slows down to maintain the distance or separation. When you are driving you may wait a second or 2 to see that the car does before you take action. So think about how many times car cut you short then zoom on off.

[Mr Ted]

Regular cruise control is fine. But i dont even like the other even in a car let alone a Coach .

[GWBGE]

We like it in our cars. You still need to pay attention, but maintaining a safe distance is one less thing to worry about.

[hypoxia]

I have VORAD Adaptive Cruise Control in my 2007 Monaco Coach. It is wonderful, IMHO. I have used it for 5 years and liked it so much I made sure my new Ram truck had it. It will slow and if needed it will apply the Jake Brake and then speed up again when there is enough spacing.

The new units may have different software which acts more abruptly. That would be annoying. My old one works smoothly.

[Dutch Star Don]

The ACC seems to work well on cars, but has some growing pains on RV's. I think in another few years, it will be readily available on RV's and work well. I wouldn't mind having it.

[Ivylog]

Originally Posted by hypoxia

I have VORAD Adaptive Cruise Control in my 2007 Monaco Coach. It is wonderful, IMHO. I have used it for 5 years and liked it so much I made sure my new Ram truck had it. It will slow and if needed it will apply the Jake Brake and then speed up again when there is enough spacing. It ignores a much faster vehicle pulling in, even if faiirly close.

The new units may have different software which acts more abruptly. That would be annoying. My old one works smoothly.

X2 as my 08 Navigator has it too...took a little getting used to and learning how to override it. When a vehicle going slightly faster than you pulls back in, usually a truck, it slows you down to get the separation it wants. Figured out that putting a little pressure on the throttle overrides it until the truck gets far enough ahead.

In 20K miles it’s been ahead of me one time...PU with no brake lights slowed to turn and it beeped me before I realized the decreasing closing distance. Even when not on cruise it will beep me when it doesn’t like what’s happening...getting on the bumper of the idiot in front at a stoplight.

I did test it to see if it really would put the Jake Brake on, it will. Pulled in behind a truck going a lot slower at about 50’, the Jake slowed me down to less than his speed.

Even the shortest of the 3 adjustable distances is further back than what I like...probably a good thing. Yes it’s part of the dumbing down and no I wouldn’t pay the $6K for it but I do use it mainly on the Interstates. It also comes with blind spot sensors.

[chuckftboy]

I have ICC on my Gladiator and think its great. Use it all the time on the open road and highways that have less traffic. Probably wouldn't be so good between Macon and Atlanta on a weekday afternoon.

My coach doesn't have it but when traveling across west Texas or South Dakota I think it would be great.

A few years back a gentleman driving a large class A ran into the back of one our company vans. They were traveling at 65 MPH on I-295 around Jacksonville. Nobody was hurt and only a few thousand dollars of damage but intelligent cruise would have prevented it.

[hattitude]

Originally Posted by R.Wold

I’m sure some think it’s beneficial.
I don’t like my vehicle thinking for me.
For those that like it, great! Just not my cup of tea.

Originally Posted by Fiesta48

Alert driving "using brain power" will always do better.
Some accidents are not avoidable but keep the think between ears working.