towing speed

Executive wrote:

J-Rooster wrote:
I'll just say this the State of Washington has a maximum combination speed limit of 65 MPH on all vehicles! If you exceed 65 MPH you will be helping out the State treasury due to the politicians can't stay within the reins of financial responsibilty and tell the State Police to write tickets.

Speed Demons!!! the lot of ya!!!...California is down to 55mph, all vehicles towing...period...

Drive faster than 65, have a warranty problem and GM will simply open the "black box" and deny your claim....Dennis

Car companies started using black boxes because people were going into court and lying about how fast they were going, whether they actually applied the brakes vs the accelerator, etc just prior to the accident. How do you know they save speed when the engine is off vs when it is on? How do you know they are being honest or the results are accurate about the claim if they make it anyway

But you are right we should drive less than 65 mph towing, but I still ignore the down hills unless I think I am gaining to much speed.

You'll be fine. The faster the toad is pulled the more heat the transmission will generate. At 65 MPH the transmission is able to shed the heat at a reasonable rate. You would probably be fine going a bit faster for short durations considering the numbers are usually very conservative. Now do a few coast to coast non-stop drives at 75-80 MPH during the hottest time of the year and you might have a problem when you get to were you are going.

J-Rooster wrote:
I'll just say this the State of Washington has a maximum combination speed limit of 65 MPH on all vehicles! If you exceed 65 MPH you will be helping out the State treasury due to the politicians can't stay within the reins of financial responsibilty and tell the State Police to write tickets.

Speed Demons!!! the lot of ya!!!...California is down to 55mph, all vehicles towing...period...

Drive faster than 65, have a warranty problem and GM will simply open the "black box" and deny your claim....Dennis

I'll just say this the State of Washington has a maximum combination speed limit of 65 MPH on all vehicles! If you exceed 65 MPH you will be helping out the State treasury due to the politicians can't stay within the reins of financial responsibilty and tell the State Police to write tickets.

Johno02 wrote:
Biggest problem is instability while towing at higher speeds. If the toad normally is driven over 65, which most are, and it handles OK, it is probably OK on the vehicle at that speed. However, at higher speeds, any sway or weaving caused by the towing vehicle can be greatly enhanced, which may cause loss of control. We tow an HHR, which tows very stable, but in winds, or wind caused by passing or being passed, and routinely tow it on interstates at 65 with no problem. as speed increases, it begins to get light on its feet, and I can feel its instability in the wheel of the MH.

You are correct if instability becomes an issue it could become a big issue.

I have never had an instability issue with my honda odyssey. It is not authorized for towing by honda and is out of warranty with 30+k miles being towed.

I did not add a pump for the transmission as remco indicated they did not sell one as they did not think it was needed even though they could not promise anything.

While I did drive close to 70 on a few occasions those days are done and I stay below the recommended 65 speed honda established for the CR-V which is certified as towable. My honda did fine a few years ago on trips above 65, but I have to wonder when additional heat without a pump would cause damage. I do not know if it could regularly hand 70, 75, or 80 mph, but decided the 65 mph was a safe guideline for the CR-V by honda engineers who know a heck of a lot more than I do.

So even if your toad is rock solid stable at higher speeds I think following the 65 mph guideline is good even if conservative. But personally I choose to ignore occasional high speed excursions down hill as they seem inconsequential (especially compared to all day at 70 mph)

Just make sure before you tow , to run it through the gears with engine running about 10 min. Then when you stop for fuel or rest break maybe 250 miles or so ,run it again through the gears. Keeps everything lubed up since the pump in the trans doesn't turn without engine running and you'll be fine, mine has 52,000 And 30,000 was towed never had a problem. Mine is 2008 hhr LT , 4 cyl.

Biggest problem is instability while towing at higher speeds. If the toad normally is driven over 65, which most are, and it handles OK, it is probably OK on the vehicle at that speed. However, at higher speeds, any sway or weaving caused by the towing vehicle can be greatly enhanced, which may cause loss of control. We tow an HHR, which tows very stable, but in winds, or wind caused by passing or being passed, and routinely tow it on interstates at 65 with no problem. as speed increases, it begins to get light on its feet, and I can feel its instability in the wheel of the MH.

Multiple trips with speeds above 65 are not good for the life of the transmission. How many trips? How much faster? no one knows. The manufacturer sets a reasonable safe limit. I choose to ignore a few down hill excesses.

But I agree to never admit going over 65 as the dealer may not understand these issues any better than the people who post on forums. :E

As long as your Malibu doesn't pickup more speed then the vehicle your towing it with you shouldn't have a problem. I drive 60 and regulate my downhill speeds with my brakes and/or the exhaust brake.

Ahhh.. I seriously doubt if his Chevy Malibu has a tow/haul switch...but then, you never know. Even if it does, it might be a little difficult reaching it from the mh.

I've had my GMC Terrain over 65 when towing it behind our mh a few times in the past 35,000 miles and it hasn't seem to affect it at all. I really don't worry about it.

Ron