Speed Question

Well if you stay in the slow lane with the semi's you won't get run over. It's when you pull out into the fast lane and try and pass a semi that's only going 57-60mph while you're only going 62mph or so that's when you'll get run over. I'm from Oregon and the semis run 55-59 mph here also. But even though the trailer speed limit is supposedly 55 mph lots of towers run 60-70mph. So pulling out to pass a semi we run into the same thing as far as getting run over since non towers are running 70+mph most of the time. You just need to time it out right so you're not being a slow poke in front of a line of faster drivers.

IMO just run 60 mph and when you need to overtake a semi pull out and speed up to get by so you don't slow down the faster drivers.

TusconJim has it right.

Side notes: All municipalities in the People's Republic on California now rely on traffic tickets as a significant component of their revenue/budget.

I find that with no toad @65MPH and with a toad @ 55MPH the MPG are the same. One can surmise that trailer data would be quite similar.

18-wheelers don't necessarily keep to the posted speed for several reasons, including, but not limited to: Keeping a tight schedule, relying on certain areas which they believe have low enforcement, and trying to keep to the speeds for which their rigs are designed relative to best MPG.

In my experience MOST truckers are great people and terrific drivers. Courteous and careful. If you should choose to follow one of these guys and listen in on communications you should be playing it safe. Your copilot is essential for this.

Caveat: the truck lanes can be most annoying due to the high traffic detereoration of the pavement.

For my own practice, I run at exactly the speed limit for my rig as configured at the time and in the lane just left of the truck lanes. Sure I get some grief from those who just can't wait for anyone, but they can pass at will, generally, and so far I have not received even one performance award from the gendarmerie.

Good luck, and don't forget to smell the flowers. Happy trails.

Spring makes everything look filthy. --- Katherine Whitehorn

RBPerry wrote:
Here is California the speed limit while pulling any trailer is 55 on the Freeways, however if you drive 55 you will get run over.

Maybe in a Ferrari at 55 but not in an RV.
And yes most towing is done at 55 to 65 mph. Some much faster... and they do get pulled over.
58 to 62 is the sweet spot for me. 55 my transmission starts to downshift too easy.

I know Cali has a crazy speed limit for trucks and trailers at 55. When the rest of the crowd is buzzing by you at 70+, it can seem intimidating. Do what your conscience tells you to.

However, since you're new to trailers, there is usually another limiting factor built in. Your tires are most likely only rated for 65mph maximum. When you have a chance, look at the tires. Unless they are marked with a speed rating, you need to stick to 65mph max. If you drive faster, the tires will self destruct and your trailer will turn into a mushroom cloud. Seriously, the tires are only rated for 65, and continually driving faster than that will likely shorten the life of the tire, and could result in premature failure.

Some tire manufacturers are starting to rate their tires for higher speeds. In the picture below, you can see the speed rating on one of my tires. It has a speed rating of "L" which is 75mph. This is not the norm for most new travel trailer tires.


Even though I have a speed rating of 75mph on my tires, I typically drive 63-65mph to save fuel, even when the speed limit is higher in states other than California.