Maximum tow speed for 6500 lbs Toy Hauler with two axles

Used to travel a stretch of I-80 in Ohio from Cleveland to Toledo where trucks had a speed limit of 55 and cars could go 65. Seemed to me like it was an accident looking for a place to happen because vehicles were constantly pulling out to pass; you couldn't just find a "groove" and stay there unless you wanted to putter along at 55 with the trucks.

Second Chance wrote:
If you're towing a toy hauler with a beefed-up 1/2 ton and Chinese-made ST tires rated at 65 MPH and going 75 MPH, please stay off the roads where my family and I travel. It's dangerous and irresponsible.

Rob

Saying this in milder language having attended corporate safety courses for corporate policy implementation.

My question, referring to semis hauling our products interstate and coast-to-coast, the safe speed for them. Indeed, some are covered here as to road layout and conditions.

But he says, California got in right with multiple speed limits on surface roads, highways and freeways (55 to 65mph which is my self-imposed speed limit too).

His final advice to us driving with our family is to avoid semis or trailer-towing vehicles going beyond 65 mph or not slowing down on adverse road conditions.

He added that these vehicles and trailers are attached by single pivot pin, have unsynchronized braking system... and the many things that could make the driver lose control and for everything to go wrong.

I don't consider myself easily scared, but I do let anyone going faster than me to pass and avoid being side by side with anyone pulling a trailer and won't fault somebody who do the same when I'm on the road.

Too many of you are blanket stating ST have 65mph limits.

One, they do not have limits, they have ratings. If you think that over 65mph, they suddenly fail, you're understanding of ratings is skewed by the internet.

Two, there are MANY ST tires that are rated for 75-87mph.


As far as what speed to travel, its a personal preference and you'll naturally find a comfortable speed for your driving style and rig itself. Of course, high speed naturally add risk but that threshold is not the same for everyone in every condition.

Bobbo wrote:
I haven't had my TT long enough to compile figures, but here are the figures on my Class C that I had for 10 years.

60 mph = 9 mpg
70 mph = 6 mpg

That was a 17% increase in speed with a 33% decrease in fuel efficiency. Fastest may not be your best choice, for a plethora of reasons.

Thanks for supplying the numbers.

It's actually intuitive and the simple law of physics and aerodynamics specially with flat fronted RVs. I'm still finding the sweet spot of speed and mpg on mine. And with high head wind, I don't even fight and stay on cruise speed even if it drops slightly.

IdaD wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:
But Idaho has one up'd montana with some interstate sections at 85mph now.

Idaho's rural freeways max out at 80, not 85. Officially, that is - you can get away with a bit more provided you don't have California plates on your vehicle.

Why is everyone envious of California? I got a ticket in Texas and Utah simply because my vehicle has CA plates.

ktmrfs wrote:
But Idaho has one up'd montana with some interstate sections at 85mph now.

Idaho's rural freeways max out at 80, not 85. Officially, that is - you can get away with a bit more provided you don't have California plates on your vehicle.

Bobbo wrote:
I haven't had my TT long enough to compile figures, but here are the figures on my Class C that I had for 10 years.

60 mph = 9 mpg
70 mph = 6 mpg

That was a 17% increase in speed with a 33% decrease in fuel efficiency. Fastest may not be your best choice, for a plethora of reasons.

I agree with you, but I did a test between fill ups and found that at 75 I`m getting about .3 better mileage than at 67. The reason I noticed is that the engine is making more torque with the higher rpms. I also noticed on my dash command app that the throttle opening is less at the higher speeds.

I haven't had my TT long enough to compile figures, but here are the figures on my Class C that I had for 10 years.

60 mph = 9 mpg
70 mph = 6 mpg

That was a 17% increase in speed with a 33% decrease in fuel efficiency. Fastest may not be your best choice, for a plethora of reasons.

The speed limit is 75 on I-44 near me. I'm on the road sometime 3-4 times a day. Lots of RV transporters use I-44 and most pulling that size trailers (bumper pulls and 5ers) are running 73-75 mph.
Course their using a few 3/4 tons but mostly one ton SRW and DRW diesel trucks.

I wouldn't do it continuously if your tires on the trailer are ST class regardless of their speed rating. Those small probably 13"/14" diameter tires on a trailer that small turn some very high revs.

mowermech wrote:
For Montana, go to:
https://www.mdt.mt.gov/visionzero/roads/speedlimits.shtml

The "Reasonable and Prudent" speed limit lasted from 1995 to 1999.
"May 1999: A law passed earlier that year by the Montana Legislature took effect to set a 75 mph speed limit on interstate highways in Montana. It was the state's first posted daytime speed limit since December 1995."

I do not know of any state at the present time which does not have a speed limit.

I recall the "reasonable and prudent" or similar speed limit in Montana when we moved their in 62 and until challenged to the state supreme court seemed to IMHO do well for a limit. At that time truck limit was 55mph. Then the limit was challenged in the state supreme court and ruled to "arbitrary" or similar so for a while the "reasonable and prudent" limit was unenforceable so effectively there was no speed limit.
the state put in the 75 limit on interstate, 70 on many secondary roads. Interestingly the fatality rate with the "reasonable and prudent" or no effective limit for many years was lower than the fatality rate under the 75mph rate, at least in the first few years of 75mph.

During the 70's gas crisis the 55mph limit was only give limited teeth. Fine was minimal, payable on the spot, not a moving violation. I still have a few ticket reciepts stashed away for speed that today would get me a big ticket. Ticket was for "wasting a natural resource" or something similar.

at least till the late 70's under the reasonable and prudent the Nighttime limit was 55 as was the truck limit.

There are sections of interstate in Montana now that have an 80mph limit. sections of I-90 from the base of lookout pass to missoula, most of I-15 between GF and Helena and likely other sections as well. (unless it changed since last March).

But Idaho has one up'd montana with some interstate sections at 85mph now.