Speed saves money

[Rangerj]

In looking over the now closed thread on tires and speeds, I didn't see anything about slowing down saving fuel. As I posted earlier, I just finished a 2100 mile trip and averaged 12.2 mpg. I just put on new GY endurance tires and am sure I could have sped up to 70, but why? My experience has been the difference between 62 and 70 is about 20% worse gas mileage. So I set my cruise on 62-64 and am a whole lot more relaxed. After all isn't that our main goal, enjoy the trip?

[jsmith948]

In looking over the now closed thread on tires and speeds, I didn't see anything about slowing down saving fuel. As I posted earlier, I just finished a 2100 mile trip and averaged 12.2 mpg. I just put on new GY endurance tires and am sure I could have sped up to 70, but why? My experience has been the difference between 62 and 70 is about 20% worse gas mileage. So I set my cruise on 62-64 and am a whole lot more relaxed. After all isn't that our main goal, enjoy the trip?

Yes it is!

When I drove big rigs for a living, I used to get frustrated with "The old guy in the camper with nowhere to be and all day to get there". Now, I AM that guy!
I can understand those of us still working that feel the need to hurry to and from their destination so they can maximize their time at their chosen camping spot. However, wouldn't it make sense to pick a place a little closer so they wouldn't need to hurry so much?
Like she said, sometimes slow is better. :)

[SummitPond]

I am uncomfortable driving much over 55 pulling the trailer. I know lower speed is better for tire life and mpg. I don't get great mileage anyway, but when I have to slow down on some back roads (without traffic lights, etc) for more than a few minutes I can see a 0.1 to 0.2 mpg increase on average.

Here's an interesting site dealing with the subject. It indicates how fuel efficiency changes with speed, and provides a calculator to show how much $$ could be saved by going slower.

http://www.mpgforspeed.com/
(http://www.mpgforspeed.com/)

[Ductape]

I think I have turned into my father, because I tend to set my cruise around 63 even when I'm not towing anything.

My wife, on the other hand....... our state raised the speed limit on our highways to 70mph in a lot of areas. She now drives between 75 and 80. :banghead: :banghead:

[kksfish]

I was never a fan of using cruise control while towing but I have started using it more and more! I have found that with the new truck with the Cummins if I am not constantly watching the speed it will creep up and next thing I know I’m doing 70+....so I set the cruise at 62 just to keep my speed down!

[chuckster57]

I’ve never used CC when towing. Situations can appear in an instant and if your foot isn’t in a position to shift from go to stop pedal just as fast, things can get ugly before you can adjust...JMO, YMMV

[Racebug]

I was never a fan of using cruise control while towing but I have started using it more and more! I have found that with the new truck with the Cummins if I am not constantly watching the speed it will creep up and next thing I know I’m doing 70+....so I set the cruise at 62 just to keep my speed down!

same here! Plus I get better mileage using cruise control.

[Ken / Claudia]

I cannot remember a vehicle I have owned that did not get the best mileage 55-60 range. With this truck and the last 1996 7.3. They tow up and down any of the western 6% recent grades mostly in that speed also. The problem is of course at curves that have reduced speed posting I reduce speed.
On the open roadways I go to CC normally at 62, that is light traffic while on the interstates mostly. There is a point about safety and just because your on CC towing, you should not relax. I keep my feet near the pedals, look at mirrors every minute or so, keep both hands on the wheel, unless it's for a moment. Looking back through the windshield rear mirror every few minutes reminds me I am pulling a trailer. We watched the same video about defensive driving for years. They beat into your head always scan the roadway ahead. The blank stare is trouble and sign of being drowsy.
I cannot tell you how many vehicles I have seen, towing or not while working that show signs or impairment. Not like a drunk but, someone not paying attention and we train to get along side and look at the driver, if possible. When you see that driver with the blank stare looking straight ahead pull them over and check them. Most are sleepy drivers.

[gearhead]

Nothing wrong with saving a dollar when you can. I tow at whatever speed I feel comfy, weather, traffic, road condition, etc.
We're pulling trailers that average $40,000 being pulled by $60,000 trucks. If you're a penny pincher you may be in the wrong hobby.

[Racebug]

I wouldn't say I worry about the cost of fuel as much as I hate refueling!

[dcg9381]

Well, you can add a tank so that you don't refuel as often. When you do, you may cry though.


I'm with chuckster - I like the control of non-cruise control. Especially with an automatic exhaust brake, having you foot come off that gas can save you at least 1/2 a second. And the factory brakes on my 5th wheel... Well, I'm SO not impressed.

I'd like to say I tow at 55. I just don't fee safe in some parts of the states where the speed limit can reach 80. I feel confident in a 1-ton towing up to 70mph with non-factory tires. I do agree faster than that, you're just burning fuel...

[vampress_me]

I guess I’ll be the bad girl here. I agree with gearhead and will tow at a comfy speed for the conditions. But I also will admit that if the weather and roads are good, many time I’m setting cruise at 69mph. Now, when we go east, that’s a different story since there is more traffic, but head west with light traffic, 69 mph it is. :hide: The 0.5 mpg that a lower speed may get me just doesn’t do it for me. The 7-8 gallons of fuel difference in a 2000 mile trip isn’t going to make or break our trip, luckily.

[kksfish]

RACEBUG

I’m with you on refueling as often.....especially along major interstate highways on the east coast! Seems like there are always long lines to get to an outside pump lane at major stations even those with designated RV lanes AND I try to avoid fueling at all in N.C. where it seems all they sell is BIODIESEL

[travelin texans]

Get in, turn key, push tow/haul button, press exhaust brake switch, accelerate to 1700 rpm, the sweet spot on my Duramax, which about 68 mph, set cruise & let the truck do the work. From east to west across Texas at 55-60 mph takes FOREVER & I'm not in a hurry. But in my opinion on the interstates if less than 60 you're impeding traffic & a bigger hazard, in fact have been places that also have minimum,speed limits.
Also agree if .5 mpg is a big improvement or a deal breaker, then you're in the wrong hobby.

[Scoob]

So I set my cruise on 62-64 and am a whole lot more relaxed. After all isn't that our main goal, enjoy the trip?

Curious as to why you think relaxed can only happen at 62-64 mph?

I am perfectly relaxed and enjoying my trip at 70. Actually I am more relaxed at 70 than I am 62 and deal with less traffic passing me. Also the half mile per gallon my truck might save is going to come to a total .3 gallons on a 100 mile trip. So over the course of a camping weekend I will save less than $3.00 in fuel.

[Gegrad]

I am perfectly relaxed and enjoying my trip at 70. Actually I am more relaxed at 70 than I am 62 and deal with less traffic passing me. Also the half mile per gallon my truck might save is going to come to a total .3 gallons on a 100 mile trip. So over the course of a camping weekend I will save less than $3.00 in fuel.

Same here, as a working man, I will push it closer to 68-69 or so to save some time, especially since NC has virtually zero good state parks, so we prefer to dip into VA for our trips. Never faster than 70 for me, but I do prefer to save some time on my limited 2 or 3 day (holiday) weekends. I also do not use CC while towing as it usually makes the transmission work harder. I can let off the gas on hills to keep her from downshifting so much and heating the transmissions too much.

[Frank G]

I travel I-75 from the Big Mac in Michigan to Tampa and back several times a year and other routes occasionally. I find most company 18 wheelers are self governed to 65mph and not a mile more going down hill. To set the cruse at 65 and fall in line is the easiest thing to do. I do this a lot, it saves a lot of aggravation as most of the left lane traffic is at 75 or above and I am not willing to go there, but I can. I get great pleasure going up hill in the left lane as this CTD seams to have no limitations.:D

[Rangerj]

Sorry, but I disagree. I am more relaxed when I don't have to be passing anyone. I like seeing other people pass by in a hurry. Also, the difference between 62 and 70 is more like 1.5 to 2 miles per gallon. On this trip that is closer to $100. My precious DW said she preferred I spend that on a fine wine or a special dinner out. (Since her favorite thing to make for dinner is reservations.)

[Scoob]

Sorry, but I disagree. I am more relaxed when I don't have to be passing anyone. I like seeing other people pass by in a hurry. Also, the difference between 62 and 70 is more like 1.5 to 2 miles per gallon. On this trip that is closer to $100. My precious DW said she preferred I spend that on a fine wine or a special dinner out. (Since her favorite thing to make for dinner is reservations.)

YOU are more relaxed. your initial post was inferring that only people who go 62-64 are relaxed. I am more relaxed at 70. I also dont get to pass very many, other than the occasional slow moving class A. Most of the roads I take are a speed limit of 75-80. So trust me at 70 mph I dont get to pass many but I get passed a lot less than I would if I was doing 60.

Your truck gets 1.5-2 mpg different. Not mine, its gets 12.6 empty running down the road and 11.9 pulling a 17K flatbed. The difference between pulling my camper from 64-70 is next to nothing.

I think its great we both can cruise the speeds we want. But please dont think your relaxed mph is the same for everybody. Just like the other guy who decided anybody that drove faster than him had a lower IQ. Which was proven to be far from true :)

[Tinner12002]

For me, regardless of speed, its more relaxing to let others fly by and zig zag in and out of traffic than for me to be out passing all the time so with that being said, 60-65 works for me. Probably easier on my equipment too.