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Old 06-10-2019, 08:08 AM   #1
mavrick8019
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Proper Towing speed.

I have 2004 5th wheel mountaineer that is 29.7 feet long and weighs around 10k pounds according to the gentleman I bought it from. I have a 2014 Chevy 2500 LTZ with the 6.1 gas engine. I was wondering what is the speed everybody tows there camper. People I have spoken to at the campgrounds tell me no faster than 65. Others have told me they go around 75 to keep up with traffic.

What is every ones opinions.

Thanks
Phil
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Old 06-10-2019, 08:17 AM   #2
Mongoose9400
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I tow 70-75 mph. Trailer tires are rated for the speed and my truck has no issues sustaining the speed without sacrificing mpg. I leave plenty of following distance and adjust the speed as necessary for weather, traffic, etc. Out West most of my towing is straight and flat.
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Old 06-10-2019, 08:44 AM   #3
Laredo Tugger
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When I towed with a 6.2L gasser and a 27' TT I was at 70-75 mph.
Now with a 35' FW and a 3500 SRW diesel I cruise 68-69 in the truck lane. I find that speed is what most the trucks are traveling and it gives me time to plan a pass around a slower truck or move over for on ramp traffic. My TV will add speed very smoothly if I need it,but the "pucker factor" (not sure if you will find that on the "terminology" page or not?) does kick in around 80 mph. The extra speed/power is no problem for passing or grades.
On most 3 lane highways I travel the middle lane to avoid the slower trucks and on ramp traffic.
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Old 06-10-2019, 08:55 AM   #4
notanlines
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We tow at a weight of a little over 30K and found that 62 meets our needs. 80? Kindly stay away from us as best you can. Your kind scares me.
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Old 06-10-2019, 08:59 AM   #5
Scott902
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I tow based on the conditions and the speed limit. Windy/raining, slow down. Nice day, go with traffic/speed limit. 110km/hr is the max around here, just under 70mph.
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Old 06-10-2019, 09:07 AM   #6
Laredo Tugger
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Learn to read there Jimmy!!
Cruise in the slow lane under 70. On occasion I will get up speed to pass a truck or open the on ramp lane.
Not a regular thing I like to do but it's a thing called "traffic flow".
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Old 06-10-2019, 09:07 AM   #7
sourdough
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I tow at 65mph or less. Generally stay at 65. I have no issues with "blocking" traffic even though the speed limits in our part of the country are 75-80 mph. Towing a large RV at 75+ is just dangerous. Can I tow that fast? Assuredly. Can I handle the rig running down the road at that speed? Absolutely. Can I avoid that guy that pulls in front of me at that speed? Absolutely not. Can you make a quick evasive maneuver to avoid catastrophe? Same answer as the previous.

When pulling a rig of any size you aren't in a sports car; even if the tires are rated for 200mph - you're equipment, the truck nor you are. In an emergency situation everything happens in slow motion with a big trailer behind you; you aren't going to stop on a dime....or a football field. You aren't going to quickly change lanes or anything else. IMO driving 70+ with a large trailer just endangers yourself, your family and everyone else on the road because there is no possible way you can react safely to an emergency situation happening in front of you. JMO/YMMV I'm sure.
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Old 06-10-2019, 09:25 AM   #8
Logan X
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I tow at 65mph or less. In California, the speed limit when towing is 55mph. I believe most ST trailer tires are speed rated for 65 mph max.
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Old 06-10-2019, 09:25 AM   #9
mavrick8019
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Thank you for your quick replay
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Old 06-10-2019, 09:36 AM   #10
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60 to 62 works fine for me.

One blow-out at speed, or panic stop will convince the non believers!

Good Luck
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Old 06-10-2019, 10:15 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notanlines View Post
We tow at a weight of a little over 30K and found that 62 meets our needs. 80? Kindly stay away from us as best you can. Your kind scares me.
I so agree.
After all time is meaningless.
I will do 65 if pressed but I'm not happy.
I get much better MPG at around 65 or less and we just are not in that much of a hurry.
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Old 06-10-2019, 11:06 AM   #12
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65 or less. As stated previously many of the TT tires are rated 65. My current ones are rated for higher but I still prefer to keep it at 65 or below.
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Old 06-10-2019, 11:10 AM   #13
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My Duramax had its sweet spot at 1700rpm which was about 68 mph on the flats so that's where I set the cruise. I upgraded to disc brakes & although I couldn't stop on a dime, but could on a nickel & for sure on a quarter.
As mentioned when there's multiple lanes I was chose the middle, that avoids the idiots at the on/off ramps & gives others lanes on either side to go around.
I've met & talked to folks that 55 is max speed while towing & IMO unless that's the posted speed for towing that's TOO slow & more dangerous for everyone.
As far as "proper towing speed" that's totally up to each individual doing the towing, there's nothing written about it, except in California.
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Old 06-10-2019, 11:27 AM   #14
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We prefer 65 mph for the fuel mileage, but occasionally push upwards of 70 or 75 depending on whether traffic and road conditions dictate the need. Everything handles great and the truck has power to spare. I just don't like watch the fuel gauge go down that fast, so we try to run at 65 whenever possible, even when some of our highways are posted to 70 mph.
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Old 06-10-2019, 02:07 PM   #15
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We tow at 55 mph, give or take a few. What's interesting is on our most recent trip (FL to SD to ME) we averaged anywhere between 38 mph and 53 mph (total daily driving distance over total daily trip time, i.e., leave campground to arrive at next campground). Our usual average, and the one I use for planing, is 45 mph. This seems to nail how long we will be on the road any particular day. As others have said, we are not in a rush. If we are tired or see something interesting along the way, we'll stop. But I recognize others do not necessarily have this luxury.
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Old 06-10-2019, 02:08 PM   #16
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I agree with all on safety. That's always first and foremost. I am by far not a "speed demon" and because of the information posted on these threads, I have actually slowed it down to a speed that I feel maintains a flow with traffic around me.
Yes, while most SUVs, (empty)pick-up trucks and sedans are doing 80 mph plus on our nations interstates, I am doing my best to drive a safe speed while towing and not be part of a problem on the road, but part of the solution. So sometimes I get in another lane and get up to some speed to allow someone onto the highway at an on ramp or get around a slower vehicle. But that is always short lived. No I am not going to stay behind someone doing 60, I don't think any of us would,but I do "work" to maintain a comfortable speed that helps me travel at a reasonable pace.
I will add that we are lucky on here to have the "knowledge base" of folks who have towed many different trailers over many years. And I do respect their input. Your's too Jimmy.
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Old 06-10-2019, 04:21 PM   #17
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Know what your tires are rated for. Drive at a speed that you are comfortable with. I do 65 with tires rated for 80mph. That is where I am comfortable no matter what traffic is doing. They can go around me. You drive your vehicle and I'll drive mine. Don't wreck me and I won't wreck you.
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Old 06-10-2019, 08:53 PM   #18
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Thumbs up No hurries - no worries.

Never faster than 65. 60 to 62 is right where the truck likes it. I agree with taking the middle lane when there are three or more, but in most cases you will find me cruising in the slow lane minding my own business. No hurries - no worries.
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Old 06-10-2019, 11:46 PM   #19
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We tow at 60-65 but no faster than that. Our (current) tires are rated for 65 so we keep to that. Also, I find that my rig is nice and stable at that speed. I have gone faster on occasion, but find that the rig starts to feel a little loose at higher speeds and the fuel consumption goes up.
As for other traffic, as much as possible we keep to the interstates so there's always opportunities for other traffic to pass. When we're on country roads we keep an eye on the following traffic and pull off when conditions permit to let others pass.
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Old 06-11-2019, 07:13 AM   #20
ChuckS
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You will most likely find that between 62 to 65 you will get your best fuel mileage and your RV tires will last much longer.

Over 70 mph on E or less tires is just asking for troubles. Mine are Chinese G rated tires .. I tow exclusively at 62.

The ST tires might advertise speed ratings of 80 mph but the shredded tires along side the road say otherwise.

Slow down and enjoy and leave yourself more time to react to road situations.
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