towing speed

[timfromma]

I've been on highways, mostly in the western US, that have posted speed limits of 80. There is no way you will ever see me hauling a camper that fast unless I'm running for my life from someone / something.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by robo44

Unless the towing laws have changed in a specific state in the last year -
There is not one state in the USA that allows towing above 65 mph - dont' confuse the posted speed limit with the posted towing speed limit.

I give up. That's just plain wrong. You need to get out more, or at least have more coffee....

[doc73]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

I give up. That's just plain wrong. You need to get out more, or at least have more coffee....

I agree. Come to the right coast... You drive the speed limit of the roadway as posted.

[Blackrock]

I run 68 or better on the Interstates out west but will speed up to get around a bunch of trucks. I don't like to get bunched up in traffic. I did catch myself doing 82 westbound on I-80 west of Rawlins. Had a real nice tailwind but that turned into a nasty crosswind when I turned south heading to Baggs Wyoming.

[1100mike]

If you're curious, 50 state speed limits.

https://www.doityourselfrv.com/state-towing-speeds/

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by 1100mike

If you're curious, 50 state speed limits.

https://www.doityourselfrv.com/state-towing-speeds/

I can throw out another url that refutes everything in that link. https://rvnerds.com/resources/speed-limits-and-towing/

Believe whatever BS website you want to, they are all probably as wrong as the 65mph max towing speed statement for every state. Ridiculous. Time to move on.

[Cost4133]

heres a link from US DOT FHM

https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/fre.../table3_11.htm

[doc73]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

I can throw out another url that refutes everything in that link. https://rvnerds.com/resources/speed-limits-and-towing/

Believe whatever BS website you want to, they are all probably as wrong as the 65mph max towing speed statement for every state. Ridiculous. Time to move on.

I agree. Just going off pa where I am... The first page is wrong. No change in speed limits for towed or normal cars unless the specific section of road is posted differenrly. And only trailers over 3k need brakes, not every trailer. Web pages are ok but they are only as good as whomever pit the info together. They seem to be wrong more than right.

[5er_tom]

Yup!!! The posted speed limit is the speed limit. California also posts max 55 for ANY towing and all big trucks, state wide.
Generally if the posted speed is 75, that means 75 for one and all.
Your comfort may vary.

[Blackrock]

Here in Arizona the I-17 northbound is signed for Trucks right lane only climbing up out of Black Canyon City to Sunset Point. I was pulling my 5th wheel half ton rig and running flat out 70+ in 6th gear and 4800 rpm. Outside temps were right at 100 degrees and my truck was right at 200 indicated. I pulled into Cordes Junction for a break and here comes a 5th wheel Ram 3500 rig about 10 minutes later. Old fat bustard got out and asked me why I wasn't running in the right lane like the sign says. I laughed at him and said that doesn't apply to half ton rigs.
Yep I am certifiable crazy but that's me.

[Boomerweps]

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

Zen like.

Yes you can go at faster speeds than before.
Taking into account your previous towing experiences, how would the increased speed affect your new towing experience?

[NJKris]

31 posts since OP posted this, sometimes I think threads like this are started just to get a rise out of people, lol. That doityourself RV site is BS. As someone who you didn't want to see in your rear view mirror for 25 years, I can only speak for the listing for NJ:

New Jersey
Towing speed limit: 55 mph
Did you know?: Open propane cylinders are not allowed while traveling on New Jersey open highways

BS on both counts. My Westlake trailer tires are speed rated to 75 mph. I MAY hit that speed while passing, as it is much more dangerous to linger in the passing lane without passing. In general though, I keep it below 70, for all the reasons mentioned (more weight, less reaction time, GREATLY increased braking distance, and bad mileage.) The 11-12 mpg I get doing the speed limit is bad enough.

[RandK-M]

Call me boring, lame, or whatever you like, but I'm most comfortable towing between 60 and 65. The roads around me are 65 max anyway. An extra 15-20 minutes over a couple hour drive doesn't mean much to me. I have severe back problems anyway and the more relaxed I am, the better it is on my pain levels. Over the decades I've had the occasional situation of a quick stop, evasive maneuver, etc, and even with a popup, that difference between say 62 and 75 can make a big difference. Then of course as others have mentioned, there's gas, wear & tear, on both the trailer and the truck, etc.

Ray

[mac1_131]

Just for a temperature reference, just got in after most of the afternoon in FL with 95 degree road temps going 70 most of the time, tires ran at about 142 F. These were GYE tires, speed rating N (87 mph).

I did see one guy going the other way suffer a blowout. Cloud of smoke and he got off the road fine. Felt bad for him.

I'm certainly learning to respect the tires and not run the equipment hard and have a good TPMS running all the time.

So far, so good.

Couldn't imagine doing this without a good TPMS and quality tires.

[Roberte52]

What's your hurry? Slow down and enjoy the road!

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Roberte52

What's your hurry? Slow down and enjoy the road!

Some people just want to get to the scene of the accident quicker.

I like a nice comfortable speed where it's easy to maintain a nice safe interval. If there is a sudden slowdown or accident ahead of me I then have plenty of braking room.

I often find i'm not the only one enjoying the road.

[ChrisMoore]

Wow, this went off the rails. Thank you for your input, I am not looking to speed, but I am looking to go a little faster than 60. I could comfortably push 70-72 as mentioned on open roads with little traffic. I will admit I did not consider the weight of my tow vehicle in this question but you guys bring up great points, aside from the whole speeding conversation. I will keep it @ 60-65 unless open road where I can stretch her legs and jack it up to 70-72.


Great information guys, thank you for your thoughts


As mentioned the original question stems from the fact I heard the faster you go, the hotter the tires get and a better chance for a blow out

[NJKris]

Wow, this went off the rails.

Hahahaha! No, this is normal.

I heard the faster you go, the hotter the tires get and a better chance for a blow out

This is true to a 'degree' (cracking myself up this morning!)Maintaining proper inflation and not overloading are best safeguards from this happening, thus a GOOD TPMS is worth the money. Heat is why you see road gators all over the highways down south. Between high ambient temps, and if a tire is underinflated, it quickly builds up heat, which causes tire failures.

[retiredcamper47]

If God is your copilot, you better switch drivers! Drive safely and get there safely.

[Mike134]

Originally Posted by ChrisMoore

Wow, this went off the rails.

No different than if you'd asked at your local saloon