Recomended TT Safe Highway Speeds

[KnP]

Installed the roof tabs at the campground. Is an improvement, good enough to get 5 to 10 MPH depending on conditions. I bet, in a calm day, 60 MPH will be easy to travel.

Was able to sustain 55 MPH downhill with a severe crosswind.

[KnP]

Just pulled my TT with the 2016 Chevy Colorado with the V6 on a 450 mile trip. This truck is amazing. I was able to hang at 70 MPH, at 65 MPH, no problem. Sway and instability was kept to the low even none at all. Few occasions, tapped the 80 MPH while passing.

[Herk7769]

Most travel trailers and 5th Wheels come with Special Trailer (ST) Service tires.

Most (but not all) are rated to carry their rated load at 65MPH (Speed Rating).

Operations above that "placard" speed at (or near to) rated load invites catastrophic tire failure (again depending on how fast above rated speed you drive).

That is not to say that it will be immediate or even ever happen to you.
Just that it can.

[dragon-roo]

The other thing to consider is that the effect of the wind drag as you increase speed, can REALLY drop your MPG.

I'm so cheap that I squeak, so I tend to drive no more than 60 MPH when pulling. Besides... I'm camping, so I would rather relax and not be in a rush, like I am every other day of the year.

YMMV

[youroo]

If you feel you must go faster than others while taking your family on Camping/Vacation Trips,install a Full roll cage and 4 point belts for Everyone! Youroo!!

[dragon-roo]

Point well made Youroo... I love it!

I can just see some of those old Winnies that always think they need to have it to the floor and fly by everyone, with a full rollcage and racing, bucket seats inside

does anyone know how to strap a baby seat into a racing bucket??

[2016251RKS]

My personal promise is to tow at 60mph - . Stay in the 55 to 65 range...constant at 60. Better gas mpg, better tow control, within the tire limits....Towing is not simple driving. A change of mind-set helped me. A mile a minute is not slow. . . those wanting to travel faster, can pass.

[KnP]

Well, is not that I am competing in a race. Was pretty much a shakedown trip and see what is capable. Yes MPGs drops like a rock. 70 MPH got me around 10 MPGs and 65 got me about 13 MPGs. My biggest fear was about instability at a safe cruising. At least I know the limitations and 65 MPH seems to be a good speed to chug along. That I could bumped to 85 MPH, sure, why not but I see no reason to be near that. One neat thing is if you get back on a semi trailer and is doing a speed that you are comfy with. The draft will give you at about 4 more MPGs and I was not at its rear bumper; I was a decent distance from it. Another thing, when passing a rig, experienced very minimal sway, if so, it was controllable on a predictable manner. Seems the Reese DWH is doing its job really well.

[W5CI]

I never exceed the speed limit, Usually around 65 if traffic will allow

[GDoubleU]

KnP - Why the hurry? Do you realize what happens with a blowout at speeds like that? The danger is not only to you and yours, but to mine and ours. Slow down and smell the roses. The adventure is in getting there.

[KnP]

As I said, not in a hurry... Just testing the waters. Cruised most of the time at about 65 MPH. Sometimes you poke a bit higher when passing. Heck, was another guy hauling a TT (seems to be a Toy Hauler) that was pretty much doing around 80 MPH. Tried to get catch the draft but he was going way too fast; no reason for going that fast and way too risky.

Another gadget that worked out pretty neat was the CB Radio. We encountered a "Stau" (autobahn talk for traffic jam) and as usual, no clue on what is going on. The wife got on the horn on CH 19 and asked to any southbound Truckers what is about. Turned out to be a wreck and also told us on what line to be on to avoid getting stuck.

[Charles Firth]

I try to stay at 60 to 65 mph comfortable speed for me. I sometimes tend to forget the Jammer is even back there. That seems to work for me. Like someone said enjoy the journey.

[wbdavey]

KnP - in your original post you stated that the WD hitch was properly adjusted. I found with my rig that adjustment by the book was close, but adjustment by truck scales made all the difference in the world. My "book" called for measuring the gap between the front tire and fender, and I was very close. Going across the truck scales my front axle was within 200 pounds of the truck alone number. I went up one more bolt hole on my L brackets and the weight was within 60 pounds of the truck alone number and the handling was dramatically better. You may be close, but it's worth $15 to get it weighed and know your perfect.

[Retired JSO]

Most older tires are rated for 65 MPH. Our new W&P has tires rated for 75 MPH. I always try to keep my speed where the trucks seems to have a sweet spot. Between 62-65 on a smooth interstate.

[cphubert]

WOW I must be getting old I don't drive at 80 without the trailer- never over 65 with it in tow. I hope you never have to stop fast or lose a tire.

[Orion]

Originally Posted by cphubert

WOW I must be getting old I don't drive at 80 without the trailer- never over 65 with it in tow. I hope you never have to stop fast or lose a tire.

Yep we are little older and more conscious of our immortality 🤕


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[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by cphubert

WOW I must be getting old I don't drive at 80 without the trailer- never over 65 with it in tow. I hope you never have to stop fast or lose a tire.

Towing, I seldom get over 65 except when passing, but driving TOWTA's old junker, it is hard to not help the cruise control until the RH governor kicks in with a verbal warning when exceeding 80 mph.

[KnP]

Found out that most of the problem is the road itself. Going down on a nice paved road is straight as an arrow. Funny thing is... passing 18 wheelers is not an issue. The ones that gives me most of the instability are the Dually Pick Ups; those for sure push a lot of air. Some roads are worn to the point the TT wheels seems to "track" and give some sway.

Sat myself at a good spot and set to 65 MPH, smooth as heck. Few times pushed to 70 MPH for some passing. Very smooth and predictable.

[Limey]

Always remember your trailer usually weighs more than the vehicle towing it, & when you loose control & your TT takes over, this is what happens..

[BigDaddy1967]

Originally Posted by dragon-roo

The other thing to consider is that the effect of the wind drag as you increase speed, can REALLY drop your MPG.

I'm so cheap that I squeak, so I tend to drive no more than 60 MPH when pulling. Besides... I'm camping, so I would rather relax and not be in a rush, like I am every other day of the year.

YMMV

X2, more expensive to go faster. I learned quickly, on my virgin pull that you should not be rushing when it comes to towing. Fortunately, my learning was not expensive or nothing broke, just a nice wake-up call👍



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