Recomended TT Safe Highway Speeds

[KnP]

What would be a good rule of thumb highway speed for a TT? The reason that I am asking is that my TT gets a bit dicey when getting close to 65 MPH. Checked my Weight Distribution Hitch adjustments to make sure they are correct; it cannot get any better, pretty much text book perfect.

Read countlless threads and seems to be an aero characteristic from dragging a box down the road tied to the rear bumper.

Can we say that 60 MPH is the top speed before encountering aerodynamic instability?

[rsdata]

I can haul my 19' TT safely at 65-70. I can hit 75 maybe going downhill, but I always get back to 65-67.

Many people will tell you they never tow in excess of 65, but many big 5th wheelers and TT people pass me doing 75+ on a regular basis.

I believe that if you have any instability at all from trailer sway, due to TV or hitch limitations then slow down as that is the biggest cause for concern. Your other concern might be braking ability. Do a couple of panic stops where there is no traffic and see how your TV handles an emergency braking condition.

I have zero braking or sway problems from either passing trucks or going fast (75)... but sometimes a good cross-wind will catch the TT and briefly make it sway, which will cause me to slow down.

[Kels4g]

We will not exceed 60-65. Works for us.

[donniedu]

55. Remember those chinzy Chinese ST tires under your trailer are only rated to 65MPH.

[mzbrandi]

I have a 36 ft tt and pull 60/65 depending on condition of road. Some roads make me drive at 50 mph and its white knuckle ride. 😁 a few are so good your doing 70+ with out knowing it.


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[Bama Rambler]

My rule of thumb is that I tow at whatever speed feels comfortable to me on that particular day up to the speed limit.

A lot of things influence how an RV (or any trailer for that matter) tows. Side wind, road conditions, weather conditions, up to and including your state of mind and body at the time.

If something feels amiss, just back off and take your time. No matter what speed that is.

[Teamfour]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

My rule of thumb is that I tow at whatever speed feels comfortable to me on that particular day up to the speed limit.

A lot of things influence how an RV (or any trailer for that matter) tows. Side wind, road conditions, weather conditions, up to and including your state of mind and body at the time.

If something feels amiss, just back off and take your time. No matter what speed that is.

^^^This is how I determine my towing speed.

[KnP]

What about some called Air Tabs? Claimed to improve mileage and stability. Is it Snake Oil? The stability is more important to me than fuel economy.

[Bama Rambler]

I've seen the 'Air Tabs' and am intrigued by them. The fuel savings is only about 1% but they claim to help the turbulence issue behind the box.

If they weren't so expensive I'd try a set.

I also see a lot of semi's with angled rear panels that I assume are for fuel savings.

[jkoenig24]

A lot depends on what you're towing. My first RV was a 2010, Casita Spirit Deluxe Travel Trailer. The Casita was a wonderful way to get started RVing. Because it's basically a fiberglass "egg", it towed VERY easily behind my 2004, Toyota Sienna minivan (which was equipped with the factory tow package), even at 12,000+ feet above sea level! As mentioned, trailer / RV tires are a limiting factor. KNOW the speed rating of all your tires. Proper tire inflation is also critical. Have you considered an air dam / deflector for your tow vehicle? You might get a better ride / tow if the air was "reshaped / redirected".

[KnP]

Yes considered air deflectors and such. Apparently the worse turbulence is the wake. The vortices generated on the rear has a lot of force. My truck is fine, has the power to pull it.

A coworker uses some like hockey pucks and he says that safe some fuel, not expectacular numbers but some.

Pulled the trigger and bought the Airtabs. Call me nuts but seems to mimic vortices generators and aviation is some that I know. Is hard to get around a lot of threads looking for what is truth or a myth. There are very few negative comments and most of those are related to MPGs.

The tires are "rated" to 75 MPH. Not asking to go that fast, just able to keep up with traffic without been an obstacle. If I can get 65 MPH without any turbulence issues, us good enough for me.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by KnP

Yes considered air deflectors and such. Apparently the worse turbulence is the wake. The vortices generated on the rear has a lot of force. My truck is fine, has the power to pull it.

A coworker uses some like hockey pucks and he says that safe some fuel, not expectacular numbers but some.

Pulled the trigger and bought the Airtabs. Call me nuts but seems to mimic vortices generators and aviation is some that I know. Is hard to get around a lot of threads looking for what is truth or a myth. There are very few negative comments and most of those are related to MPGs.

The tires are "rated" to 75 MPH. Not asking to go that fast, just able to keep up with traffic without been an obstacle. If I can get 65 MPH without any turbulence issues, us good enough for me.

I installed them on the rear of both sides and the top of our 08 Flagstaff tt and they did eliminate about 75% of the turbulence from semi's passing. Didn't notice any difference in mileage. They are pricey

[Pyromedic]

What are you towing and what are you towing with? What WDH are you using?


2017 Windjammer 3006

[KnP]

Good deal... I know they are pricey but if does what you say is well worth it in my book. Call it cheap insurance...

[ebemis]

Pyromedic had my thought....is your signature line what you are towing with....a 2016 Chevy Colorado Z82?? I am no expert, but my thought is a "midsize" truck would put you where your TV is at or maybe even below your TT weight....that in itself should tend to mean you get "pushed around" a bit by what your pulling behind you.

In any case, in answer to your original question..I generally have found with my combo (see sig line for what I drive & tow) that 62-64 maybe 65 mph is a "sweet spot" in the relatively flat or rolling terrain in FLA & southern GA/Carolina's. When I get into hilly country (heading up I-26 into Asheville) I ignore speed and focus on RPM's & temperatures up the bigger climbs......mostly 35-40 mph on ascent it about the most i'm willing to sign up for.

[KnP]

The truck has a towing capacity of 7,000 lbs is very capable on that department.

Strange enough... my G8 has a class 3 hitch and a towing capacity of 4,620 lbs with a L76 6.0L V8 and 6L80 transmission, weight as much as the Colorado. The TT is 3,680 Dry Weight.

[Myrle]

Originally Posted by KnP

What would be a good rule of thumb highway speed for a TT? The reason that I am asking is that my TT gets a bit dicey when getting close to 65 MPH. Checked my Weight Distribution Hitch adjustments to make sure they are correct; it cannot get any better, pretty much text book perfect.

Read countlless threads and seems to be an aero characteristic from dragging a box down the road tied to the rear bumper.

Can we say that 60 MPH is the top speed before encountering aerodynamic instability?

My best gas mileage is 60-65 so I plan my reservations at CG's according to this and only driving for 5 hours. That gets there so I get setup before dark.

[Brother Les]

Best speed 60-65mph

Speed is not the only thing to look at....

tire observation is very important.

Truck System Technologies

[aceinspp]

I tow around 62mph. Look at what the speed rating is on your tires before going over 65. Later RJD

[V-Lite Fun]

With my Hensley hitch I could tow in excess of 75 without any sway or turbulence from passing vehicles. Tires and safe braking are the limiters.
Running in excess of tire rating for extended periods will shorten the life of the tire and could lead to a blowout. My best mpg is around 60. I do run faster on the interstate but very rarely go more than 65. With LT tires you might have a higher speed rating but the braking factor or handling in an emergency situation still makes high speed towing unwise.