My husband and I are new to towing. We are preparing to tow our travel trailer for the first time, and we have a few questions.First - the specs:Trailer - 1974 23' ProwlerTruck - 1989 Chevy SuburbanMy husband is going to be the one driving, and he would like to know how we can find out the max. speed he can drive on the freeway. We're not filling up any of the tanks, so max. tow weight probably won't be an issue. We don't have the manual to the trailer, so we're kind of clueless to the standard operating procedure of this year and model.

Max speed is 65mph, but I would stay below at that at a max, sustained speed of 62mph.Bruce

Look for signs that say "Speed Limit"

Run 55 mph in "drive" gear ... not the "overdrive" gear. Stay no faster than 55 until you (or your husband) feels 100% comfortable towing. You might even want to stay off interstates and take secondary roads so you can initially tow at even a lower speed. The important thing when towing the first time is to NOT assume anything. The rules for towing are far different than when NOT towing. Until you feel 100% comfortable and have 100% confidence in the ability of your tow vehicle AND the trailer ... ABSOLUTELY do not push your speed! Learn ... get the feel of the "entire" rig" ... and don't get in any hurry. You are not driving a sports car when you have the trailer attached! You're driving a monster! Getting there SAFE is more important than getting there FAST!Congrats on your new purchase!

If you did not replace the tires on the trailer when you got it, the first thing you should do is a google search on how to read the date codes on tires. After verifying that the tires are not real old, make sure they are properly inflated. If they are ST tires in good shape and properly inflated, the max speed is 65 mph.

In most states the speed for vehicles towing trailers is 55MPH unless posted otherwise. In WA I believe on some of the interstates the towing speed is 65MPHIn California it is 55MPH everywhere on the interstate hwys.That being said, I usually travel at 60MPH on the interstates when no traffic, 55MPH with traffic.A note of caution, back in the 80's I saw a setup like yours weaving in and out of traffic on I-10 near Palm Springs. The driver was doing at least 70MPH when he passed me. About 10 miles down the road after going through a curvy mountain pass he was pulled over to the side of the road. His full water tank was laying on the road next to the TT. It had broken loose and smashed through the sidewall of the trailer. If he hadn't been such an aggressive driver that would not have happened.

New to towing. Speed? Weight? | Good Sam Community

34 Replies

schlep1967
Nomad
Dec 31, 2014
If you did not replace the tires on the trailer when you got it, the first thing you should do is a google search on how to read the date codes on tires. After verifying that the tires are not real old, make sure they are properly inflated. If they are ST tires in good shape and properly inflated, the max speed is 65 mph.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014
Run 55 mph in "drive" gear ... not the "overdrive" gear. Stay no faster than 55 until you (or your husband) feels 100% comfortable towing. You might even want to stay off interstates and take secondary roads so you can initially tow at even a lower speed. The important thing when towing the first time is to NOT assume anything. The rules for towing are far different than when NOT towing. Until you feel 100% comfortable and have 100% confidence in the ability of your tow vehicle AND the trailer ... ABSOLUTELY do not push your speed! Learn ... get the feel of the "entire" rig" ... and don't get in any hurry. You are not driving a sports car when you have the trailer attached! You're driving a monster! Getting there SAFE is more important than getting there FAST!

Congrats on your new purchase!
2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2014
Look for signs that say "Speed Limit"
nomad297
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014
Max speed is 65mph, but I would stay below at that at a max, sustained speed of 62mph.

Bruce

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New to towing. Speed? Weight?

34 Replies

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