how fast do you tow?

donn0128 wrote:
Since my trailer tires are speed rated at 99MPH I tow the speed limit.

Would that speed limit be 55 mph, like when towing? Not 65 mph?
Just wondering.

When we drove professionally, we (like most drivers) tried to avoid California. Way too many "special" rules and regs. It's beautiful but honestly not worth the trouble. If we ever do decide to come back, it will be post retirement and we'll have ample time to follow the rules.

If you are coming through California note that the towing limit is 55, and it is enforced. The fine is large ,probably $500+ by now.

When I tow it is at 55, especially since it also provides better fuel mileage.

Well, for us it isn't stressful, it's just "efficient". When we go somewhere, we only have so much time. The only way we can cover the ground we need to cover in the time available is to be smart about it. The only other option would be to restrict the use of our RV to local areas, and not try to go to the beach or other attractive destinations.

Someday, maybe I will have unlimited free time like some here do. Given the realities of the American retirement system, however, that may never happen.

We do what we have to do in order to enjoy our rig.

northmeck0255 wrote:


We do the same thing, for the same reason (work). We learned quickly that all the time saved by driving faster can easily be squandered by slow fuel stops or unnecessary breaks. We plan everything out, and when we hit a Pilot or a T/A it's like watching a NASCAR team!

Man, I got stressed out just reading your post. For me, the trip starts when my butt hits the drivers seat. I want to maximize the time, but not to the point of additional stress if the "pit stop" takes a bit too much time. If I see something interesting along the way, I stop for a few minutes, guilt free. No, I'm not retired, but I just don't want to hurry up and relax. Happy trails!

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

john&bet wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
I'm not retired and only get so much VT. The limit or 75. I roll because I want to see a lot of things and do a lot of things when I'm on my vacation.
One can get several more days of vacation in when on the road less and one of the ways to do that is drive faster.

That only works if the traffic flow will allow it. The limit in my part on the country, I-65 is 70 between Indy and Louisville. I know for a fact you will not be able to average 70mph the whole 120 miles. You be lucky if you average 55-60. So your theory goes in the basket. JMO.

#1 That may be true on I-65 between Indy and Louisville but it isn't where I travel on 40 and 70. I won't speak for anything east of the Mississippi river because I've never been there. So if you have never been west of it please do the same.

#2 You can't average 60 either so it's apples and apples.

#3 I set the cruise on 70 or 75 and I bet I don't touch it for maybe 6 times a day. And that is only for about a minute or two. 70 and 40 are just not that crowded in the west and Midwest.

#4 And before anybody starts on the fuel stop deal I can travel 400 miles on a tank with my Dmax if choose. Even so, it only takes less than 15 minutes and that still puts me 45 minutes ahead of the game. Even if it does drop my mileage in my diesel 1 mpg that is only 1/2 tank of diesel for me in 3000 miles. Woop dee doo, a whole 75 bucks more in 3 weeks. :R


Sorry to burst your bubble but it's no theory. I live it on every vacation. My basket is in great shape.

The point is, if you maximize your speed on the road you will minimize your time on the road. Over time it really adds up. Yes, it really is that simple. :R

We do the same thing, for the same reason (work). We learned quickly that all the time saved by driving faster can easily be squandered by slow fuel stops or unnecessary breaks. We plan everything out, and when we hit a Pilot or a T/A it's like watching a NASCAR team!

old guy wrote:
I know these facts, TT tires are rated at 65 mph, and many people tow doing 70 or more. why? I think they are nuts. So having said that, how fast do the rest of us tow? I am thinking of my first towing to yuma this year, I think I will tow at 62 mph. what say you?

Facts...:@
What are "TT tires" ??
Do you mean "ST" tires?.:h

~

You said, "Many people tow doing 70 or more. Why?"
By now you should have *LOTS* of answers..

You said, "I think I will tow at 62 mph".
Will you drive faster -or slower- depending on the answers?.:h
Did (do) the answers matter?

You said, "I think they are nuts".

IMO - you are nuts for asking..:R..:R..:S
(and that's a fact)

~

Generally 65-70 on our ND two lanes and 75 on the ND Interstates which is the speed limit. I run BFG LT on the Monty.

JaxDad wrote:

super_camper wrote:


You make a lot of assumptions trying to justify a very dangerous towing speed, especially at night. The ticket for that speed where I live during the day with a single passenger vehicle is significant (several hundred dollars and many points). There is simply NO excuse for towing a 34' TT over 85MPH.

That's a bit of Apples vs Oranges to me, in the 3 states involved, Wyoming, Colorado and Kansas the speed limit is 75 MPH not 60 MPH like it is in Ontario, and in Ontario speeding by 15 KM/H (10 MPH) over the speed limit the fine is $37.50 and ZERO demerit points.

Dangerous driving is a Criminal Offence, being such, it is not used for anything short of an accident which results in a persons death and can be attributed to behaviour so far from that of a 'reasonable persons actions' as to be criminal in nature.

That is not speeding, in fact even Careless driving was so hard to apply to speeding that they had to invent a whole new category / offence, that of 'stunt or exhibition driving'.

Jaxdad you got me thinking - in the late 60's and early 70's the Yellowhead Highway in western Canada was 2 lane, narrow shoulders in a lot of places, and the speed limit was 65mph in our drum brakes, lap belts, flashlight headlights, bias ply tires cars and pickups. It is now 4 lanes, cars/pickups have wonderful radial tires, great big disc brakes, 400hp, airbags, ABS, etc etc and the posted limit is exactly 3.35 mph higher (110km/hr being 68.35mph). Exceed this and you are "speeding" which is, of course, "danger". Why?

:h

Usually around the speed limit but no more then about 65-68 even in a 70 or higher speed zone. All of that is depending on conditions (weather, traffic, etc.) On I95, and other eastern interstates, 55mph actually feels dangerous compared to 60-65 due to the rest of the traffics rate of speed.