towing speed

[ChrisMoore]

I know this has been discussed tons of times. I just put new tires on Good Year Endurance. I usually tow @ 60-65 mph. Why can't I go faster.


What is the reason for the slow speed, especially now I got new tires. would like to tow at 70-75 mph

[1100mike]

First time you have to do a panic stop at 75 you'll understand..

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by ChrisMoore

I know this has been discussed tons of times. I just put new tires on Good Year Endurance. I usually tow @ 60-65 mph. Why can't I go faster.


What is the reason for the slow speed, especially now I got new tires. would like to tow at 70-75 mph

The law. I haven't personally researched this, but I have read here that many States have lower speed limits for trucks and trailers. It is a safety issue-speed kills especially in a TT.

[NMWildcat]

You can tow as fast as you are comfortable with. If you tow 70+ the world will not blow up. Lots of RV and commercial drivers do it everyday.
I used to always tow the max speed limit when I had limited time for vacation, slowing down only for bad weather/road/traffic conditions.
Then I retired.
Now I tow at the speed limit (when less than 68) or 68mph max and am just more comfortable and relaxed. I let the traffic pass me by and when I get to my destination I am not worn out like I used to be.
You can have blowouts, mechanical failures, or panic stops at any speed, and I have experienced all. Of course the slower you are going the easier they are to handle, but a 10mph difference in speed isn't going to change the outcome that much.

[DSMURPHY]

If you have ST rated tires, they used to be, and may still be speed rated for 65mph.
Personally, I find 60-65 mph a comfortable speed. Above that mpg drops and nerves start to fray.

[ChrisMoore]

I agree with all comments above. I just thought the tires would heat up and blow at higher speeds, but with new good tires figured I was good.


thanks

[Mike134]

I believe the GY tires have a 87 MPH rating.

That said the faster you go the more unstable your trailer will become behind you. Myself the trailer is rock solid behind me at 65 and less, when passing at 75 it becomes a bit more "challenging" to tow

Safe travels.

[aceinspp]

I certainly do not drive at a greater speed just cause the tires are rated as such. Trying to stop a rig at 75 is dangerous in a panic stop. I'm in no hurry to get to my next destination and plan my trips. These folks that have to drive fast do to time should not be booking that long of trips life you save maybe your own. Later RJD

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

You can tow as fast as you are comfortable with. If you tow 70+ the world will not blow up. Lots of RV and commercial drivers do it everyday.
I used to always tow the max speed limit when I had limited time for vacation, slowing down only for bad weather/road/traffic conditions.
Then I retired.
Now I tow at the speed limit (when less than 68) or 68mph max and am just more comfortable and relaxed. I let the traffic pass me by and when I get to my destination I am not worn out like I used to be.
You can have blowouts, mechanical failures, or panic stops at any speed, and I have experienced all. Of course the slower you are going the easier they are to handle, but a 10mph difference in speed isn't going to change the outcome that much.

The issue is reaction times and their ramifications while pulling a trailer. Highway safety engineers all over the civilized world recognize this fact and apparently think 10MPH does make a difference to everyone on the highway.

[5picker]

I'm with Scott, tow as fast as you are comfortable with and at a speed YOU can react to with YOUR rig. Speed limit is a factor certainly.

Someone towing a 20k rig will likely tow differently than someone with a 6k rig. Unless you are totally oblivious to the world, you'll know when you are going too fast for conditions and are in over your head. If you can't comprehend that, then God help us all.

[Cost4133]

when i tow my camper i tend to hangout around 65-68 (60 if the speed limit is 55).

When im towing a car trailer or another trailer with some weight to it, it is significantly more stable and have no problem doing 75

[D W]

Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine

The issue is reaction times and their ramifications while pulling a trailer. Highway safety engineers all over the civilized world recognize this fact and apparently think 10MPH does make a difference to everyone on the highway.

Agreed. Mr. Newton's First & Second Laws of Motion explain it perfectly.

[rsdata]

When I push it I tow at 72... however I usually tow at 66-68. A long day of pulling might be 8 hours actually on the road... difference between 68 and 72 is about 5%... not worth it if I am fighting traffic and wind... NOW if the wind is strong behind me and I'm driving alone on the hiway, 72 is easy to maintain.

[timfromma]

I tow at 65 or the speed limit, whichever is lower. I'll drop down to as low as 50 if it's rainy and / or windy. If the weather conditions are so poor that I feel that even 50 is too fast, I'll pull off until conditions improve. I'd rather arrive late than not at all.

[D W]

Originally Posted by rsdata

When I push it I tow at 72... however I usually tow at 66-68. A long day of pulling might be 8 hours actually on the road... difference between 68 and 72 is about 5%... not worth it if I am fighting traffic and wind... NOW if the wind is strong behind me and I'm driving alone on the hiway, 72 is easy to maintain.

40 years ago, 8 hours on the road was fun. Fast forward to the present and 8 hours on the road is entirely too much windshield time for me. If we do 6 hours anymore, such as trips to the interior, we're pushing it.

[rsdata]

40 years ago, 8 hours on the road was fun. Fast forward to the present and 8 hours on the road is entirely too much windshield time for me. If we do 6 hours anymore, such as trips to the interior, we're pushing it.

I certainly agree with you, but I believe some are comfortable with those long hours. My point is that even at 8 hours of actual hiway time ( which is probably closer to 10 hours with stops) you are not really gaining that much distance for the increase in speed... and 65+ is fairly comfortable for my driving speed on most roads... EXCEPT FLORIDA maybe.

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by D W

40 years ago, 8 hours on the road was fun. Fast forward to the present and 8 hours on the road is entirely too much windshield time for me. If we do 6 hours anymore, such as trips to the interior, we're pushing it.

12 - 14 hour days which includes bathroom, fuel and meal stops are not unusual for me. If I'm hauling LONG distances, I set a daily mileage goal of 700 miles.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by robo44

Why would anyone give advice to exceed the posted speed limits or unsafe speeds when towing?
This makes no sense, Im sure when asked by Police or your insurance company when you get caught for speeding or god forbid have an accident you'll be 1st to tell them you were driving over the speed limit and unsafe...

What thread are you reading? Nobody suggested breaking any speed limits or towing unsafely.....

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by robo44

You're right - im sure someplace in the USA you can tow 70+ mph and not break the law. Doesn't mean its' safe...

I will revise my thought
The correct answer like the majority on this post, should be Never drive faster than the posted speed limit for towing, or never drive faster than is safe for current conditions. Also depends on the state of course

https://www.outdoorsy.com/blog/rv_sp..._for_50_states

I believe every other post mimics exactly what you are trying to say.
And yes, out here highway speed limits can be 75, 80, and a few 85mph.
Happy camping!

[bikendan]

And then there's getting worse fuel mileage by going faster.
For me, 62mph is the sweet spot.
The faster you go, the more air resistance you get, resulting in lower fuel mileage.