How fast do you drive

Donedroolin · 10-14-2013, 06:50 PM

When I drive towing the trailer I usually do between 55 and 70 MPH. This depends on the highway being traveled. If you travel on 95 heading south the speed limits are up to 70 in places. Some of the other highways are in terrible shape and bumps everywhere. How well do you think they build these trailers. I know Jayco builds quality but , I wonder how many hard miles these campers can take.

Bikester · 10-14-2013, 06:52 PM

I max out around 65...my TV could go faster, but I'm not comfortable going any faster.

mitechie · 10-14-2013, 06:55 PM

Yep, I set things at 65 and roll on. I will say that the Michigan roads are so bad I wonder if I've taken years off my trailers life. I had to *sigh* so hard when we hit the MI border back from VA last month.

hausknwa · 10-14-2013, 06:58 PM

I tend to stay between 60mph and 65 mph when on the interstate. On some stretches of RT 81 I run under 60 as the road is really rough. I find that at those speeds I am running with the majority of the heavy trucks in the right lane. More important to me than speed is trying to maintain a reasonable distance between my TV and the vehicle in front of me.

OnTheGo · 10-14-2013, 07:16 PM

60 - 65. I recently talked to a couple at a SP in OH. They were in their 70's and had been RVing or full timing for many years. We talked gas mileage and he told me he experiments with his rigs to find the optimum speed for mpg and that's the speed he drives. The rig he has now he drives at 58. I like his way of doing things, but I don't know if I have the patience to go 58.

Doug · 10-14-2013, 07:17 PM

I run 55-60 max
Not in a hurry to get somewhere, I just want to get there all in one piece :-)

Doug

slabat · 10-14-2013, 07:48 PM

I run it at 60 as well, I don't use my cruise when pulling the trailer so sometimes I an a little above that but never over 65

clutch · 10-14-2013, 08:25 PM

We run 55 to 60 most of the time. On a GOOD freeway maybe 65. If you happen to be towing in California the towing speed is 55. Just remember that the tires are rated for 65 unless you are running LT tires.

Parcany · 10-14-2013, 08:32 PM

Run normally at 62 unless passing somebody on the interstate.

NewBlackDak · 10-14-2013, 09:20 PM

Trailer tires are rated for 65, so I try to stay under. The problem is the truck is in the sweet spot between 65 and 70. If it's flat or down hill I'm usually 60-65. Uphill, I push it up to 67-68 to stay in the power band. If I let it get below 60 on any incline, it's downshifting or lugging.

usmc616 · 10-14-2013, 09:21 PM

Try not to ever exceed 65MPH, usually run at closer to 60.

Donr827 · 10-15-2013, 03:14 AM

Between 60 and 65 mph. Sweet spot for the best mpg for me and I also feel safer at those speeds.
Don

tinlizzie23 · 10-15-2013, 03:26 AM

Like many others, 60 is about the top speed, unless on a very smooth and level road, and then 65 is max. Running 16" range E ST tires at 80psi on 11,0000# trailer.

fochman · 10-15-2013, 07:45 AM

60 MPH also.

RedHorse1 · 10-15-2013, 08:10 AM

Yup, tires rated for 65. I cruise a little below that. Neighbor likes to get there and has had several tire problems over the years. Just had a blowout that did some damage to the wheel well and fender on the TT. I bought TireMinder for the last trip. Still working out some issues with it but I believe it will be just fine and I do like knowing my tire pressure.

DocBrown · 10-15-2013, 08:41 AM

Like the others, 55-62. ST tires only rated for 65, I can anticipate issues faster, and I'm on vacation, what's the rush?

Nighthawk 96 · 10-15-2013, 08:58 AM

Gas mileage for me is better at about 60 - 9.5 mpg. I like to say on back roads, 4 lane if possible. On the Interstate try not to exceed 65 but touch 70 once in a while. Mpg drops to 8.5.

Camper_bob · 10-15-2013, 09:26 AM

60 most of the time, 65 max if I'm on a nice road with not too much wind. If I go over 65, things start to get a little wobbly and uncomfortable. The extra speed is really not worth it to me, I would rather just relax and keep it slower and not have to pry my fingers from the wheel when I get there! The 5 or 10 minutes I might save on my average trip is really not worth it.

I'm not new to towing, but I am new to towing a travel trailer, and it is unlike anything I have ever towed.

Jagiven · 10-15-2013, 10:23 AM

The speed always depends on conditions. But on the freeways I try stay around 60. I too do not use cruise, so I have crept up above 65 a few times, but I try to avoid it. As others mentioned the tires are speed rated to 65 mph. If I keep my speed down to 55 I will get 12.5+ mph, but I hate being so slow on the freeway, as I look at it as I am a potential hazard if someone behind me does not realize I am going so much slower than the rest of the traffic. Ultimately I never drive faster than what is safe for the conditions and for stopping abilities.

RedHorse1 · 10-15-2013, 11:40 AM

I've already posted my speeds and just realized that the mpg figures some are quoting are all over the place which I hadn't really given much thought. But..............
now that I have; we just completed a 2500 mi trip, Houston to Grants NM and back. We averaged 13.5 mpg which I was really impressed with. Our 03 Expedition would have struggled to make 9.5 on this trip. Now I'm starting to wonder what I'll get when we upgrade to a 5th wheel which I'm planning for the spring (my neighbor says I'll have one before Christmas).

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