good towing speeds - Page 2

SOMBATFAMILY · 07-10-2018, 10:11 AM

So the consensus of people who responded is 60-65mph. I have been passed on several time by big tow combos while I was going 80mph not towing. They must have enough truck to go that fast towing trailer/5th wheel that look to be over 10k#.

Dustdevil · 07-10-2018, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOMBATFAMILY

So the consensus of people who responded is 60-65mph. I have been passed on several time by big tow combos while I was going 80mph not towing. They must have enough truck to go that fast towing trailer/5th wheel that look to be over 10k#.

I think you would find 60-65 to be a majority of RV owners. And yes, I encountered a guy towing what looked like about a 15k lb toy hauler behind a Tundra with the rear bumper nearly dragging the ground, even with sway bars, driving 85 mph on a heavily-used freeway in the area of Perris, Ca. He was way over his load limit, improperly set up to tow, with a tow vehicle that was too light for the actual load, the pickup had about a 6 inch lift on it, and he was moving way too fast and following other vehicles way too close. Weaving in and out of the slow lane as he approached much slower moving vehicles merging onto the freeway, with the trailer swaying back and forth from his sudden steering movements to change lanes. He was all over the road, and moving way too fast.

When he decided to change lanes to go around a much slower vehicle, as I approached him from one lane to his left in my empty crew cab pickup, he left me about two feet between the back bumper of his toy hauler to my front bumper, causing me to brake hard to avoid him. Basically cut me off because he couldn't wait. I followed him for a bit, trying to get the license number of his pickup. I gave up as he accelerated beyond my willingness to speed up further, and I watched him weave in and out of the right two lanes for several miles between 60 and 85 mph or so. Every once in a while you encounter one of these idiots who thinks the rules don't apply to him, and is willing to put everyone else in jeopardy to ensure he isn't hindered from driving the thing like a sports car. If I had been a CHP officer, and saw this, I would have given him a reckless driving citation.

TxLoser · 07-10-2018, 10:41 AM

It would seem that no one on this forum travels the same highways I do(or my speedo is way off). At 68, I get passed by most combos except gas class C's and A's.

Seann45 · 07-10-2018, 12:37 PM

Almost all trailer tires (ST) are only rated to 65 mph. Even if your tires are rated higher remember you are now like a freight train and it takes a long way to stop when the manure hits the fan.

**norty1** · 07-10-2018, 01:32 PM

My truck likes 65 mph and will stay in tow/haul at 61 mph without down shifting except on steep grades.

The groove. Now if I doze off while my wife is driving, I have to tell her to slow down. Lead foot!

HoHome · 07-10-2018, 01:41 PM

Keep in mind that some states actually have different speed limits for towed vehicles. For example, in MN, the speed limit for me towing is 60 mph. I could go faster, and on the flat, straight roads, it would be ok. However, I would rather a. be safer than sorry, and b. not get a ticket. AAA has a list of some of the highlights in each state and provinces.

https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-speed-limits/

2edgesword · 07-10-2018, 01:43 PM

If I'm towing my trailer it means I'm on vacation and don't need to be in a hurry. Here in the northeast most highways have a 55 ~ 65mph speed limit. There are a lot of good reasons, many mentioned in this thread, for staying in that zone and none I can think of for going any faster.

EvilDoer · 07-10-2018, 03:00 PM

Last month we ran in to road construction that limited us to 45mph for much of the drive. Settled in, set the cruise control, watched the orange cones slide by. Best gas mileage and most relaxing drive I've had while towing!

ALJO · 07-10-2018, 03:32 PM

60 - 62 mph That way I enjoy living hopeful till 998+, then I have to recharge the batteries and do a make over (I just plan ahead and have my mind set).

homer1959 · 07-10-2018, 04:11 PM

60/65 max.. I dont care about the tires, their speed limit or else .... stopping or swerving around an obstacle at 60 is more then enough for me .... and for the one who likes to go 70/75 saying that its just 10 over my limit remember, it hurts a lot less when you hit something at 0 mph versus 10 ... so 10 mph is a lot to manage sometimes

homer1959 · 07-10-2018, 04:15 PM

Who cares ?? Speed limits are defining the limits, not the speed that you have to drive at !!! They can pass me as much as they want :-) remember when some peoples see an RV they HAVE to be in front of it, no matter at what speed the RV goes ....so its a never ending battle

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxLoser

It would seem that no one on this forum travels the same highways I do(or my speedo is way off). At 68, I get passed by most combos except gas class C's and A's.

Bchbum · 07-10-2018, 08:52 PM

Wife and are new to camping. We made our 1st trip this spring. We have a 15 White Hawk 27 DSRL, TV is a 17 Sierra SLT 4WD crew with 6.2 and 8 speed. The first 1000 miles I kept speed around 65. Last 1500 miles I drove 70-74 with better mileage. At 65 transmission only shifted into 7 gear. I may be new to camping but hold a class A CDL and know my limits. Above 70 is not for everyone. Hope this helps.

homer1959 · 07-10-2018, 09:15 PM

So above 70 its not for everyone, but 70/74 is ok for you !!! so you are that good hey !!

Have you experienced your limit with the truck and the trailer combo ? I am asking since you are new to camping ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bchbum

Wife and are new to camping. We made our 1st trip this spring. We have a 15 White Hawk 27 DSRL, TV is a 17 Sierra SLT 4WD crew with 6.2 and 8 speed. The first 1000 miles I kept speed around 65. Last 1500 miles I drove 70-74 with better mileage. At 65 transmission only shifted into 7 gear. I may be new to camping but hold a class A CDL and know my limits. Above 70 is not for everyone. Hope this helps.

Dustdevil · 07-10-2018, 11:21 PM

A direct result of too much speed and this guy ran out of talent very quickly and very unexpectedly. He thought he was a Formula 1-level driver too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siVH_cr5ZnE

PlayersZ28 · 07-11-2018, 06:32 AM

This is just another one of those "opinion" topics. If we combine them all then we should all haul with Oshkosh 6x's, drive 35mph and camp alone so we don't have to deal with people (certainly not in Walmarts or truck stops).

Personally I drive at or near the speed limit depending on road conditions and my personal view at the time and I don't care whether people think that's too fast or too slow or too much fuel. If I cared one bit about fuel mileage I'd haul a teardop with a Tesla. I can run for hours and never touch my brakes. If someone does something real stupid in front of me then Darwin strikes again.

Out of opinions (they're never right) and done.

homer1959 · 07-11-2018, 07:43 AM

Laws of physics have no opinion :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayersZ28

This is just another one of those "opinion" topics. If we combine them all then we should all haul with Oshkosh 6x's, drive 35mph and camp alone so we don't have to deal with people (certainly not in Walmarts or truck stops).

Personally I drive at or near the speed limit depending on road conditions and my personal view at the time and I don't care whether people think that's too fast or too slow or too much fuel. If I cared one bit about fuel mileage I'd haul a teardop with a Tesla. I can run for hours and never touch my brakes. If someone does something real stupid in front of me then Darwin strikes again.

Out of opinions (they're never right) and done.

rkresge · 07-11-2018, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1959

Laws of physics have no opinion :-)

Agreed. The speed limitations on RV tires, particularly ST tires, are not subject to opinion. Check what's stamped on your tires, and stick to those limits. Start with proper inflation, then stay within the tires' rated speeds.

None of that guarantees that you won't have tire issues, but you'll go a long way toward preventing them.

Also, get and use a TPMS. Period. It can help keep a tire failure from turning into severe damage to your vehicle. I can testify to that.

Now for an opinion: Many of the tire "blowout" posts I see (not all, just many) that include severe damage, seem like they come from people who are not using a TPMS. Based on experience, I would not travel without one. Despite my mirrors, I cannot see my trailer tires well enough to see a developing flat. My TPMS alerted me to one earlier this year, and let me get off of I-95 before any damage was done. Without the TPMS alert I probably would have had trailer damage, potentially even a loss of control accident. End of opinion.

Safe travels!

Roger

PlayersZ28 · 07-11-2018, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1959

Laws of physics have no opinion :-)

PlayersZ28 · 07-11-2018, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkresge

Agreed. The speed limitations on RV tires, particularly ST tires, are not subject to opinion. Check what's stamped on your tires, and stick to those limits. Start with proper inflation, then stay within the tires' rated speeds.

Safe travels!

Roger

I do. Rated to 75.

homer1959 · 07-11-2018, 08:23 AM

Thanks God for everybody around that they arent for rated for 95 MPH

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayersZ28

I do. Rated to 75.

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