Towing Speed - Am I Going Too Slow?!

the_happiestcamper wrote:
Legally, the max towing speed in most states (Oregon included) is 55.

but driving that in Oregon is rude.
bumpy :s

Legally, the max towing speed in most states (Oregon included) is 55.

thanks for your opinion 2BLAZERS , however, I will drive 55-60 in the right lane even if the speed limit is 65-70. I certainly will pull over into the slow truckers lane if there is one, if not feel free to pass at your convenience.
bumpy

rhagfo wrote:

2BLAZERS wrote:


A lot of people with disagree with me. That said.

If you cannot go the speed limit of 65 in good weather and road conditions towing then your tow vehicle is not a great match for your trailer or you are not setup correctly. You are even saying you are nervous.

I believe those that are towing at 55 in a 65 zone are just being rude to all the other drivers that are forced to go around and are a rolling road block hazard. If you feel nervous at 65 with a trailer you need a better setup.

In Oregon we have a max of 65, I always go the speed limit or a few over. When we go to Utah and hit the 80 zone I go 80mph. With ST tires i understand doing 65 in the 75 or 80 zones. (as i have a truck camper my towed enclosed trailer is way overrated for the toys it carries).

But to go 55 in a 80 zone cause your not in a hurry is making a road hazard.

Flame suit on :)

2011 Dodge Ram 3500 4*4 Black dually Laramie 4.10 gears
2011 Arctic Fox 1150 Drybath
2009 Polaris RZR w/fun parts
2011 Polaris Sportsman 550 XP EPS w/stuff
2006 Polaris Sportsman 500 w/stuff

Flame Thrower Locked and Loaded!:B

This is really about safety, and driving within comfortable limits!
I Quote "Mrgrim007 on 06/16/13 07:39pm

I'm currently camping on our first long trip in our trailer (previous two trips were only 5 - 10 mins away)."

They are on their Third trip and first of any distance! Everyone needs to work up to a comfort level. With a good size TT, being pulled by a decent sized TV, No Not a 3500 dually, but a decent TV for a family, and safe.

You are also comparing apples to Oranges, hauling a drop in camper and a small enclosed with about 2,000# of toys, Is not the same as pulling a 35' TT, that has a GVW of close to 10,000#!

He also stated that it is mostly two lanes. You are referring to interstates and freeways, the max limit on Oregon state routes (two lanes) is 55 mph.

I really admire Mrgrim007, for asking an honest question and most sensible people with agree with his method.

I just hope for your sake and anyone riding with you that you never have a front blowout at 80+!!

You are miss reading what i said. I am basically stating that if you are unable to go the speed limit in decent road conditions then your setup or towing equipment is wrong. Very simple in my eyes.

And I believe if you are properly setup and choose to do 55 in a 65MPH speed zone your being rude.

Likewise if your on a two lane 55MPH road and cannot do 55MPH (not counting steep hills and corners) then you need more truck.

I am NOT saying you need to be able to do 80 in a 65 zone....

And my ''little'' enclosed trailer is actually a 20' enclosed trailer rated at 10K. My truck camper, enclosed trailer and toys would out weight his 10k GVW trailer easily.

And a front tire blow up does NOT worry me. Why? because I'm properly setup and the front axle weight is just a little more fully loaded then total empty weight and it is within the axle, wheel and tire ratings....

rhagfo wrote:
While a Burb may be designed as a TV, it will not have the same stability stock as 2500 PU, due being designed to also provide reasonable comfort to passengers. The springs and shocks with both be a bit softer.

Correct as far as the 1500 Burb, it has coil springs and is a better people mover than a tow vehicle. NOT true for the 2500 Burb, it shares the same leaf springs and torsion bars in its suspension as the 2500 HD pickups. The ride comfort in the big-block burbs comes from the AutoRide Real Time Damping system that uses shocks with magnetic fluid to vary the viscosity and provide a less bouncy ride.

Where the pickups add stability is not through the frame, suspension, or drive train, it's through wheel base. At 130", the burb is basically a reg cab long bed truck. Add ext cab or crew cab to the long bed and you have a longer, more stable tow platform. I compensate for a shorter WB by using a Hensley Arrow to better control the trailer. While I've never driven my trailer out of a ditch on 2 wheels, I have done some heart-stopping evasive maneuvers and I don't think I am lacking anything in the stability dept. I can run through a slalom just as fast as any 5er.

To the OP, you should get the truck weighed if you stop for gas at a truck stop. With 2 adults, 2 growing teenagers, the 3rd row seat and some stuff in the back I scaled in 8700 lbs against a GVWR of 8600 lbs., or course that was with the 34' TT. The 8.1 is drive by wire so performance isn't really a good indicator or weight....I'm not saying this to be critical, the burb will run all day with a full load.

Also, 2nd gear will hold you to 55 mph max on a steep downhill. 1st will let you run till 40. Only thing I wish they could have somehow figured out how to get the Allison transmission in these trucks....

rear blowout is more dangerous
one reason I converted mine to a dually the other was more stability.

RH-Lane wrote:
My screen name answers this question:)

Haha I'm right there with you.

My screen name answers this question:)

2BLAZERS wrote:


A lot of people with disagree with me. That said.

If you cannot go the speed limit of 65 in good weather and road conditions towing then your tow vehicle is not a great match for your trailer or you are not setup correctly. You are even saying you are nervous.

I believe those that are towing at 55 in a 65 zone are just being rude to all the other drivers that are forced to go around and are a rolling road block hazard. If you feel nervous at 65 with a trailer you need a better setup.

In Oregon we have a max of 65, I always go the speed limit or a few over. When we go to Utah and hit the 80 zone I go 80mph. With ST tires i understand doing 65 in the 75 or 80 zones. (as i have a truck camper my towed enclosed trailer is way overrated for the toys it carries).

But to go 55 in a 80 zone cause your not in a hurry is making a road hazard.

Flame suit on :)

2011 Dodge Ram 3500 4*4 Black dually Laramie 4.10 gears
2011 Arctic Fox 1150 Drybath
2009 Polaris RZR w/fun parts
2011 Polaris Sportsman 550 XP EPS w/stuff
2006 Polaris Sportsman 500 w/stuff

Flame Thrower Locked and Loaded!:B

This is really about safety, and driving within comfortable limits!
I Quote "Mrgrim007 on 06/16/13 07:39pm

I'm currently camping on our first long trip in our trailer (previous two trips were only 5 - 10 mins away)."

They are on their Third trip and first of any distance! Everyone needs to work up to a comfort level. With a good size TT, being pulled by a decent sized TV, No Not a 3500 dually, but a decent TV for a family, and safe.

You are also comparing apples to Oranges, hauling a drop in camper and a small enclosed with about 2,000# of toys, Is not the same as pulling a 35' TT, that has a GVW of close to 10,000#!

He also stated that it is mostly two lanes. You are referring to interstates and freeways, the max limit on Oregon state routes (two lanes) is 55 mph.

I really admire Mrgrim007, for asking an honest question and most sensible people with agree with his method.

I just hope for your sake and anyone riding with you that you never have a front blowout at 80+!!

mrgrim007 wrote:
I'm currently camping on our first long trip in our trailer (previous two trips were only 5 - 10 mins away).

We went from Littleton, CO up 285 to Buena Vista, CO, which is about 2.5 - 3 hrs towing. Speed limits range but the highest I saw was 65 MPH I think.

This trip, our trailer is loaded up pretty good - so it feels heavier than before. I'm definitely nervous about towing this thing! So, I'm keeping my speed limit 5 - 10 MPH under. Lot's of people in cars look like they're going about 20 over.

The truck seems like it has plenty of power and I could go faster. And, everything seems to tow pretty well.

Questions:

Am I being unsafe when going a little slower?

Should I be pulling over and stopping, when possible, to let people pass?



Should I just suck it up and speed up?

I have a 2002 Suburban, 8.1, 4.10 and 2013 Jayco 32BHDS.

Thanks everyone.

A lot of people with disagree with me. That said.

If you cannot go the speed limit of 65 in good weather and road conditions towing then your tow vehicle is not a great match for your trailer or you are not setup correctly. You are even saying you are nervous.

I believe those that are towing at 55 in a 65 zone are just being rude to all the other drivers that are forced to go around and are a rolling road block hazard. If you feel nervous at 65 with a trailer you need a better setup.

In Oregon we have a max of 65, I always go the speed limit or a few over. When we go to Utah and hit the 80 zone I go 80mph. With ST tires i understand doing 65 in the 75 or 80 zones. (as i have a truck camper my towed enclosed trailer is way overrated for the toys it carries).

But to go 55 in a 80 zone cause your not in a hurry is making a road hazard.

Flame suit on :)