How fast do you tow?

[77cruiser]

That's about it 2 lane good road 65 ish, interstate 70. If I'm in a hurry I'll push it 75-80, but don't like to.

[chuckster57]

Look at your trailer tires, I bet they have a speed rating lower than 80MPH. I don’t go faster than 67. Best mileage and at 60+ yrs old I really don’t care about being first. If I’m on a two lane road I watch my mirrors and will pull over when safe if I see more than 5 cars behind me.

[JRTJH]

It's inappropriate to pass judgment on someone I don't know and have never met, so I'm not "passing judgment" in this post, but a few things strike me as "glaring problems"

Speed rating on ST tires, barely adequate safety margins on ST tire weight capacities, "sub-par breaking system" on most RV trailers, 14 year old tow vehicle (typical mechanical wear/metal fatigue from being used for 14 years) to name a few. Towing at speeds in excess of "around 65MPH" places not only those in the tow vehicle in potential jeopardy, it does the same those who unknowingly share the road as well......

[66joej]

I do 100 KPH (62 MPH) on Carlisle HD 225R75/15 speed rated at 81 MPH. Legal speeds on most highways in our area is 55- 60 MPH. Not in a hurry.

[Old Mustanger]

Set the cruise at 65, which my Garmin indicates is 62 to 63, get some looks from truckers passing me on Texas highways with 75 speed limits

[sourdough]

Here's the deal to me; pulling a large RV at 80mph is not only dangerous, it's derelict and is a huge danger - for anyone. It's hard enough to control them at 65 mph, but to pull one at that speed with a 14 year old ( it will not be like new OR have the modern braking, sway etc. controls) is just "off the charts". Am I passing judgement? Probably. Is towing a large trailer at 80mph glaringly "dangerous" (polite)...absolutely.

[rhagfo]

Well I will tend to go with the flow to point, two lane state highway 55 to 65, interstate 65 to 70. Seeing how the LT tires on the 5er are speed rated to 106 that is not a worry. Package handles, and stops well I don’t see an issue. Not likely to do 80 as I like decent fuel mileage.

[travelin texans]

The sweet spot on my Duramax for towing is right st 1700 rpm which is approximately 68 mph. I have more than enough truck, disc brakes on both 5er & truck, H rated Sailun tires on the 5er & at that speed I'm not impeding every other vehicle on the highway.

[Local150]

72 on a good 4 lane,,, 60-62 on 2 lane,, in the hills sometimes hit 75 to 80 down hill to get a run at the next one

[goducks]

I two a 9200 lb 5er with my Ram 2500. I'd run 70+ if I didn't like the fact that I get terrible mpg's at anything over 60 mph. My setup is rock solid and good for 80 mph if needed. My tires are rated at 81 mph. I would never tow a TT over 60-65, but I'd sure to a 5er over 65 mph. 5er's are way way more stable. Now stopping is no better for either so I only tow fast when out in the open by my self.

[Mikendebbie]

I tow 60 to 65 generally closer to 60.

[apachewolf]

NOW I know where all the tires remnants I see on the raid come from. The fast travel trailers!

With a 2014 F150 and a Laredo in tow we keep it at 55mph when towing. That leaves room to stop and react if something comes up. Better safe than sorry.

Just my 2 cent.

[shrpram]

First, I am an old fuddy duddy.. I am really concerned by these comments about driving 80 pulling anything.

I did some research and math.
The average time to react to a problem is 2.3 seconds. At 60 mph it is bad enough that you will travel 200+ feet before you can get your foot on the brake. Increase that speed to 80 and you will travel 246 feet before you can START braking. That is the length of at least 4 trucks with a trailer.

Please just be smart. Even if you think you are the best driver on the highway, 80 mpg makes no sense. You have an RV that means recreational vehicle . Slow down and help protect us all.

[Number 4]

Originally Posted by shrpram

First, I am an old fuddy duddy.. I am really concerned by these comments about driving 80 pulling anything.

I did some research and math.
The average time to react to a problem is 2.3 seconds. At 60 mph it is bad enough that you will travel 200+ feet before you can get your foot on the brake. Increase that speed to 80 and you will travel 246 feet before you can START braking. That is the length of at least 4 trucks with a trailer.

Please just be smart. Even if you think you are the best driver on the highway, 80 mpg makes no sense. You have an RV that means recreational vehicle . Slow down and help protect us all.

Speaking as a fellow "fuddy duddy" I recall that during my high school drivers training days a specially equipped car came to school. It had two "guns" of some sort mounted at the front right bumper that would shoot yellow powder on the road. Since we were still in training the adult would drive the car and us young bucks with "razor sharp reflexes" would sit in the front passenger seat with the door window open and our very own brake pedal on the floor. When the driver pressed his brake pedal the first gun fired and I instantly pressed the brake to fire the second gun. It was a real eye-opener to see the distance between yellow spots at a mere 35-40 mph. What a real life lesson on reaction time. We also measured from the first yellow dot to where the car had stopped.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Number 4

Speaking as a fellow "fuddy duddy" I recall that during my high school drivers training days a specially equipped car came to school. It had two "guns" of some sort mounted at the front right bumper that would shoot yellow powder on the road. Since we were still in training the adult would drive the car and us young bucks with "razor sharp reflexes" would sit in the front passenger seat with the door window open and our very own brake pedal on the floor. When the driver pressed his brake pedal the first gun fired and I instantly pressed the brake to fire the second gun. It was a real eye-opener to see the distance between yellow spots at a mere 35-40 mph. What a real life lesson on reaction time. We also measured from the first yellow dot to where the car had stopped.

Count me as a fuddy duddy as well along with one of those guys that got to witness the specially equipped car. It was eye opening. They don't do that anymore and it's a shame. Best I can tell a driver's test now is just being able to drive a couple of miles without killing someone and you're good to go.

[FlyingAroundRV]

65 or the speed limit, whichever is lower.
Having said that, this year we encountered some bloody amazing thunderstorms where it was nearly impossible to see 100 yards ahead of the truck. Then I do 35 or less! ... With the flashers on, of course.
I find it MUCH less stressful (on the interstate) to do 65 and let others go around me rather than having to decide when to change lanes and possibly tie up traffic in the left lane while I pass slower vehicles with a passing speed of 2-3 MPH.
We set no more than about 260 miles to cover in a day. That allows for a leisurely start around 9:00am, possibly a Starbucks stop and usually a Walmart stop for groceries and whatnots. We still get to the campground in the daylight to get set up.


When I'm on roads that have lower speed limits, I do the posted speed limit. If I get too many cars behind me, I'll look for somewhere to pull off and let them go, otherwise if there are only 1 or 2, I feel that they can pass as and when they choose.


I don't think it's being bloody-minded to drive safe and comfortable.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by FlyingAroundRV

65 or the speed limit, whichever is lower.
Having said that, this year we encountered some bloody amazing thunderstorms where it was nearly impossible to see 100 yards ahead of the truck. Then I do 35 or less! ... With the flashers on, of course.
I find it MUCH less stressful (on the interstate) to do 65 and let others go around me rather than having to decide when to change lanes and possibly tie up traffic in the left lane while I pass slower vehicles with a passing speed of 2-3 MPH.
We set no more than about 260 miles to cover in a day. That allows for a leisurely start around 9:00am, possibly a Starbucks stop and usually a Walmart stop for groceries and whatnots. We still get to the campground in the daylight to get set up.


When I'm on roads that have lower speed limits, I do the posted speed limit. If I get too many cars behind me, I'll look for somewhere to pull off and let them go, otherwise if there are only 1 or 2, I feel that they can pass as and when they choose.


I don't think it's being bloody-minded to drive safe and comfortable.

Wow, 100 yards in a heavy Thunderstorm!
That is not heavy, Heavy is when it is like a fire-hose directed at the windshield!

[FlyingAroundRV]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

Wow, 100 yards in a heavy Thunderstorm!
That is not heavy, Heavy is when it is like a fire-hose directed at the windshield!

Yup! Pretty much like that.

[kraftee]

Having said that, this year we encountered some bloody amazing thunderstorms where it was nearly impossible to see 100 yards ahead of the truck. Then I do 35 or less! ... With the flashers on, of course

It is extremely dangerous - and in most states illegal to drive in the rain with your flashers on. Flashers are strictly for warning oncoming cars if you are STOPPED on the shoulder. With flashers on your turn signals do not function properly and it takes fractionally longer for those behind you to notice when you have hit the brakes.

[Cracker]

I’m in accord with the recommendation for 65 mph on Interstates (with a posted 70 mph limit) and following the speed limit on secondary roads - but with a few minor caveats. I often find that posted speed limits on secondary roads can’t be trusted - especially with respect to trailer towing. Accordingly, you have to use caution and experience as your guidelines. Too, when driving on severely curving mountain roads, or even on the flat, I tend to pay attention to the “recommended safe speed” posted on the signs warning of a curve ahead. Further, my following distances far exceed what others might consider prudent. I normally cruise at about 150’ - 200’ behind the vehicle in front when on the Interstate, and even further back when conditions warrant it. Conservative? Absolutely - but I can boast of 62 years of accident-free driving, much of it while towing, and I hope to continue that record until I hang up my keys!