Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Has anyone added cruise to an FC that didn't have it? Mine was removed
long ago. A few questions:

1) Where can I find a good add-on unit?
2) How hard are these to install?
3) Do they hold speed worth a damn? My FC speed fluctuates so much due
to hills and what-not, I have often wondered if cruise could even
work. What is your experience?

Thanks
Scott Forman
82 FC35RB 225 turbo
Memphis

Scott,

Ihave an original unit on my 78FC. It is real nice to give my leg
and foot a break between hills. You do still need to anticipate the
hills.

Here is an aftermarket unit that several people have mentioned on
the forum.

http://www.rostra.com/RSCostJustificationWorksheet.htm


Gardner
78FC33
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman"
<sforman@...> wrote:
>
> Has anyone added cruise to an FC that didn't have it? Mine was
removed
> long ago. A few questions:
>
> 1) Where can I find a good add-on unit?
> 2) How hard are these to install?
> 3) Do they hold speed worth a damn? My FC speed fluctuates so
much due
> to hills and what-not, I have often wondered if cruise could even
> work. What is your experience?
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB 225 turbo
> Memphis
>

I replaced a defective Dana unit on our 82FC with a Rostra Global Cruise.
Once I got it adjusted it works great! The best part was I could reuse the
control on the turn signal and the speed pickup. I got my unit from Brandon
Distributing Inc, 877-402-3944. When I told them what I had they knew just
what to send me. I think it was about $150. It took the best part of a day
to install but the time I tested the existing wiring and adapted to to the
new unit. The Global Cruise is electric so there is no vacuum or air
required. If you want we can talk and I will give you more details about my
installation.

- Chuck Wheeler -
82 FC 31 SB
Fort Worth, TX


_____

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Scott Forman
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 5:25 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding Cruise Control?



Has anyone added cruise to an FC that didn't have it? Mine was removed
long ago. A few questions:

1) Where can I find a good add-on unit?
2) How hard are these to install?
3) Do they hold speed worth a damn? My FC speed fluctuates so much due
to hills and what-not, I have often wondered if cruise could even
work. What is your experience?

Thanks
Scott Forman
82 FC35RB 225 turbo
Memphis






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

That's a lot cheaper than the King Cruise I got. Around 900 bucks, it's built
for big trucks, might be overkill for a bird but it works OK. They give good
support.
MH
83FC35
----- Original Message -----
From: Chuck Wheeler
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 6:28 PM
Subject: RE: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding Cruise Control?


I replaced a defective Dana unit on our 82FC with a Rostra Global Cruise.
Once I got it adjusted it works great! The best part was I could reuse the
control on the turn signal and the speed pickup. I got my unit from Brandon
Distributing Inc, 877-402-3944. When I told them what I had they knew just
what to send me. I think it was about $150. It took the best part of a day
to install but the time I tested the existing wiring and adapted to to the
new unit. The Global Cruise is electric so there is no vacuum or air
required. If you want we can talk and I will give you more details about my
installation.

- Chuck Wheeler -
82 FC 31 SB
Fort Worth, TX


_____

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Scott Forman
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 5:25 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding Cruise Control?

Has anyone added cruise to an FC that didn't have it? Mine was removed
long ago. A few questions:

1) Where can I find a good add-on unit?
2) How hard are these to install?
3) Do they hold speed worth a damn? My FC speed fluctuates so much due
to hills and what-not, I have often wondered if cruise could even
work. What is your experience?

Thanks
Scott Forman
82 FC35RB 225 turbo
Memphis

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Mike,
I also looked at the King Cruise but the price and the easy connection with
the existing components made me decide to try the Rostra unit. I have
helped friends install cruise on their pushers and the King Cruise is easier
in that application. It also adjusts easier to the power/weight ratio on
large equipment. We had to use relay repeaters to make the Rostra Cruise
work reliably in a pusher application. It was an interesting coach. It had
an older DD with a 9 speed Roadranger and a two speed rear end. It was so
much fun to drive that I took it all the way to Mineral Wells for a "test
drive"! I would love to have a BB with that setup.

As a note, you all will have to put up with more of me now. I retired at
the end of the year.

- Chuck Wheeler -
82 FC 31 SB
Fort Worth, TX


_____

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mike Hohnstein
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 8:06 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding Cruise Control?



That's a lot cheaper than the King Cruise I got. Around 900 bucks, it's
built for big trucks, might be overkill for a bird but it works OK. They
give good support.
MH
83FC35
----- Original Message -----
From: Chuck Wheeler
To: WanderlodgeForum@
yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 6:28 PM
Subject: RE: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding Cruise Control?

I replaced a defective Dana unit on our 82FC with a Rostra Global Cruise.
Once I got it adjusted it works great! The best part was I could reuse the
control on the turn signal and the speed pickup. I got my unit from Brandon
Distributing Inc, 877-402-3944. When I told them what I had they knew just
what to send me. I think it was about $150. It took the best part of a day
to install but the time I tested the existing wiring and adapted to to the
new unit. The Global Cruise is electric so there is no vacuum or air
required. If you want we can talk and I will give you more details about my
installation.

- Chuck Wheeler -
82 FC 31 SB
Fort Worth, TX

_____

From: WanderlodgeForum@
yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@
yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Scott Forman
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 5:25 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@
yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding Cruise Control?

Has anyone added cruise to an FC that didn't have it? Mine was removed
long ago. A few questions:

1) Where can I find a good add-on unit?
2) How hard are these to install?
3) Do they hold speed worth a damn? My FC speed fluctuates so much due
to hills and what-not, I have often wondered if cruise could even
work. What is your experience?

Thanks
Scott Forman
82 FC35RB 225 turbo
Memphis

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I bought the Rostra to replace my original when the vacuum generator failed. I
haven't
installed it yet but I read of Chuck's satisfaction so will be installing mine
when the
weather warms up.
My OE cruise was hard to get set at the speed I wanted and sometimes just
disconnected
on its own, but when engaged it held the speed well.

Kerry
82 Fc 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...> wrote:
>
> Has anyone added cruise to an FC that didn't have it? Mine was removed
> long ago. A few questions:
>
> 1) Where can I find a good add-on unit?
> 2) How hard are these to install?
> 3) Do they hold speed worth a damn? My FC speed fluctuates so much due
> to hills and what-not, I have often wondered if cruise could even
> work. What is your experience?
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB 225 turbo
> Memphis
>

Chuck,
Congrats on your retirement. Enjoy!

Curt Sprenger
1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
Anaheim Hills, Calif.



Chuck Wheeler wrote:

> Mike,
> I also looked at the King Cruise but the price and the easy connection
> with
> the existing components made me decide to try the Rostra unit. I have
> helped friends install cruise on their pushers and the King Cruise is
> easier
> in that application. It also adjusts easier to the power/weight ratio on
> large equipment. We had to use relay repeaters to make the Rostra Cruise
> work reliably in a pusher application. It was an interesting coach. It had
> an older DD with a 9 speed Roadranger and a two speed rear end. It was so
> much fun to drive that I took it all the way to Mineral Wells for a "test
> drive"! I would love to have a BB with that setup.
>
> As a note, you all will have to put up with more of me now. I retired at
> the end of the year.
>
> - Chuck Wheeler -
> 82 FC 31 SB
> Fort Worth, TX
>
>
> _____
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> ] On Behalf Of Mike Hohnstein
> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 8:06 PM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding Cruise Control?
>
> That's a lot cheaper than the King Cruise I got. Around 900 bucks, it's
> built for big trucks, might be overkill for a bird but it works OK. They
> give good support.
> MH
> 83FC35
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Chuck Wheeler
> To: WanderlodgeForum@
> yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 6:28 PM
> Subject: RE: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding Cruise Control?
>
> I replaced a defective Dana unit on our 82FC with a Rostra Global Cruise.
> Once I got it adjusted it works great! The best part was I could reuse the
> control on the turn signal and the speed pickup. I got my unit from
> Brandon
> Distributing Inc, 877-402-3944. When I told them what I had they knew just
> what to send me. I think it was about $150. It took the best part of a day
> to install but the time I tested the existing wiring and adapted to to the
> new unit. The Global Cruise is electric so there is no vacuum or air
> required. If you want we can talk and I will give you more details
> about my
> installation.
>
> - Chuck Wheeler -
> 82 FC 31 SB
> Fort Worth, TX
>
> _____
>
> From: WanderlodgeForum@
> yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@
> yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Scott Forman
> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 5:25 PM
> To: WanderlodgeForum@
> yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Adding Cruise Control?
>
> Has anyone added cruise to an FC that didn't have it? Mine was removed
> long ago. A few questions:
>
> 1) Where can I find a good add-on unit?
> 2) How hard are these to install?
> 3) Do they hold speed worth a damn? My FC speed fluctuates so much due
> to hills and what-not, I have often wondered if cruise could even
> work. What is your experience?
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB 225 turbo
> Memphis
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

HI Scott,
Lots of good answers to your questions. My adds would be:
1. I had a King Cruise unit installed by a Houston shop.
2. Took two men about 4 hours to do the install. They mounted the control box
under
our driver side sofa and ran the control cable under the carpet and through the
side of the
dog house. Problem with this was the box (designed for exterior mounting)
tended to
overheat and fry the electronics. Fix was a D.C. fan and removing one side of
the metal
box. King Cruise was very helpful in this process and replaced the electronics
twice at no
charge to me.
3. Cruise is most effective on flat to slightly hilly terrain. Really a help
for the driver on
long trips. I consider it money well spent.

Regards, Eric in San Antonio
84FC35SBWL2

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...> wrote:
>
> Has anyone added cruise to an FC that didn't have it? Mine was removed
> long ago. A few questions:
>
> 1) Where can I find a good add-on unit?
> 2) How hard are these to install?
> 3) Do they hold speed worth a damn? My FC speed fluctuates so much due
> to hills and what-not, I have often wondered if cruise could even
> work. What is your experience?
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB 225 turbo
> Memphis
>

Does any manufacturer make a RPM cruise control versus MPH ?
Just curious, my boat's cruise control (PerfectPass) has both RPM & MPH.

Todd Jones
Lincoln, NE.
78FC33

.

On 1/20/07, Eric Johnson wrote:
>
> HI Scott,
> Lots of good answers to your questions. My adds would be:
> 1. I had a King Cruise unit installed by a Houston shop.
> 2. Took two men about 4 hours to do the install. They mounted the control
> box under
> our driver side sofa and ran the control cable under the carpet and
> through the side of the
> dog house. Problem with this was the box (designed for exterior mounting)
> tended to
> overheat and fry the electronics. Fix was a D.C. fan and removing one side
> of the metal
> box. King Cruise was very helpful in this process and replaced the
> electronics twice at no
> charge to me.
> 3. Cruise is most effective on flat to slightly hilly terrain. Really a
> help for the driver on
> long trips. I consider it money well spent.
>
> Regards, Eric in San Antonio
> 84FC35SBWL2
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
> "Scott Forman" <sforman@...> wrote:
> >
> > Has anyone added cruise to an FC that didn't have it? Mine was removed
> > long ago. A few questions:
> >
> > 1) Where can I find a good add-on unit?
> > 2) How hard are these to install?
> > 3) Do they hold speed worth a damn? My FC speed fluctuates so much due
> > to hills and what-not, I have often wondered if cruise could even
> > work. What is your experience?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Scott Forman
> > 82 FC35RB 225 turbo
> > Memphis
> >
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]