Speed is not your friend

I think we've successfully managed to beat the RV.net dead horse on this one.

Everyone be safe. Now let's read some Labor Day trip reports!!!

The Texan wrote:
This guy passed us in a 75 MPH zone and we were doing about 4 over. This was about 5 miles further down the interstate.

The end result

I read these and I always want more details....was it a 1500 or a 1 ton. Was it gas or diesel, what make and model of truck and trailer. Was weight distribution and sway being used, etc....

Cause really a tent trailer can wreck small SUV with enough sway.

But yep, slowing down some, never hurt nothing. The older I get the slower I'm going with my camper and/or toyhauler.

Though I love the 80mph zones when we are driving our car.

When I'm hauling the camper or towing I just do 70 if the speed zone is for 70 or more.

Most of Oregon is 65 zone, so i do 65.

The truck will pull the load at 90 but the fuel mileage just seems to really tank fast above 70.

And there is that safety thing too. I want to live another day and I want my family to live another day too.

To me the most interesting thing is if I go 70 in a 70 zone in Oregon I get passed by about the same number of cars, trucks, trailers, etc....as when I go 70 in the 80 zones of ID, MT, and UT.

The safest hwy is when all vehicles are going about the same speed to avoid the overtaking and lane changes.

obgraham wrote:

I tow at 75mph here in AZ on the freeway.
I am alot more rock solid than alot of other folks around me.

I think I've heard this excuse for speeding before: "I know what I'm doing, not like the other guys on the road".

X2

fly-boy wrote:
You know what would be refreshing is if everyone just minded their own business.
...
Who knows why that rig wrecked. Could speed have been a factor? For sure. But it also could have been caused by hundreds of other things.

We have an eyewitness to speed being a factor. The driver was going something in excess of 79 MPH.

The Texan wrote:
This guy passed us in a 75 MPH zone and we were doing about 4 over. This was about 5 miles further down the interstate.

The end result

We also have others, including me, that are familiar with the area and have seen more than a few wrecks there.

Speed takes away from the time needed to react. Some folks also get complacent. Neither is good. Both are really bad.

Other newbies will come across this thread. Let them learn from this teachable moment before they have their own.

You know what would be refreshing is if everyone just minded their own business.
Some folks have no business driving a truck and trailer at any speed. Other folks spend the time and money to have a properly set up rig and have the experience to safely drive a big combo. They know when conditions warrant slowing down or allow for faster travel.

Who knows why that rig wrecked. Could speed have been a factor? For sure. But it also could have been caused by hundreds of other things.

Its great the OP reminded everyone to drive safely.

That's right in front of Harrisburg. I've spent a lot of time in that area, and have seen a number of accidents with trailers. I'm willing to bet that all of them fit into the following mindsets...

"I'm a better driver than most"
"My setup is better than most"
"It won't happen to me"
Driving by faith (say a prayer when they start out, and assume that god and angels will protect them from their own stupidity).

You can't drive or prepare based on your best day. You need to do it based on your WORST day. Slowing down and keeping a safe distance gives you time to react. I don't care how good you think you are, when the SHTF, you will be wanting that time. If you have done something to eliminate that time, hopefully the only one hurt is you.

Complacency can be deadly.

Here is a tip that may help any inexperienced drivers that experience extreme sway; stay steady on the throttle and and operate only the trailer brakes using the manual slide on the brake control.

and then SLOW DOWN!

It was fairly windy that day.

The Texan wrote:

lincster wrote:

obgraham wrote:

I tow at 75mph here in AZ on the freeway.
I am alot more rock solid than alot of other folks around me.

I think I've heard this excuse for speeding before: "I know what I'm doing, not like the other guys on the road".

Well, I do know what I am doing.

But I can guarantee I have a much more rock solid setup than most......


And... my original questions haven't been answered, so my statement still stands. Can't just blame speed.

You basically called me a liar, so why should I respond to your accusations ???

Lol. Don't know how u came to that conclusion.

But I do enjoy how people come here and blame something but aren't open to questions from others.