if trailer tires only good to 65mph, why not switch?

We've beaten this subject into the ground over and over and over again. Now personal attacks are happening, so this thread ( like all of its predecessors) is done.

gmw photos wrote:

rbpru wrote:
Sorry but physics is physic and opinion is opinion. People have successfully towed a multitude of TT and TV combinations. That does not always indicate it was a good idea. You simply cannot get around the fact that more speed, more weight, means more energy to bring to a halt.
....snip....

True enough, but that statement by itself does not exist in a vacuum. When I hook my travel trailer to my truck, I am in fact adding 4000 pounds to the overall weight. I agree with you so far.

But....BUT.... I am also adding four more contact patches, and four more brakes that are in fact powerful enough to lock and slide the those contact patches on dry pavement ( if I dial the brake controller too high ).
So as I said earlier, we must also consider the "trailer brakes are intended to brake the trailer"....and the "truck brakes are intended to slow or stop the truck".

Good points.
My 16k GN stock trailer loaded to its max with six 6k axles/brakes will shut down much faster/shorter distance than my 11200 lb 5er with four 5.2 lb axle/brakes.
And I've been helping a old buddy close out his auto salvage business. He's crushing everything.
We haul it on a 20k GVWR GN trailer with tandem dual 10k axles. This trailer fully loaded will stop even faster/shorter distance than my triaxle at the same speeds with the same trucks.

Physics/theory is always great on paper but many times actual experience blows theory out the door.

Huntindog wrote:
What I never see brought up in these how fast to tow debates is this: There is some pretty big differences in TV-TT lashups out there.. Just read the many threads of those that never carry water, and always pack light, as their TV is,,, well marginal at best. I would submit that some of them shouldn't tow at 60 MPH, let alone 70-75.

These are of course the ones that must compromise, on the TV, because it is also their daily driver. OTOH, There are those that have very stout TVs.... It borders on silly to say that a SUV, that is barely within it's ratings (if it is) vs. a 1 ton dually crewcab, they has lots of reserve capacity should be held to the same speed standards, as many here seem to think..
Of course most of the barely able crowd actually think that there set ups are as good as it can possibly be... They don't know what they don't know.. Much like many of the ST proponent crowd, who having never used LTs, believe the marketing pushing the STs.

Totally agree. The guys I see towing fast are usually the ones with the 3-6" lift towing a 32'TT without WD. A$$ end of the truck is squatted down about 3" with the front lights shinning to the moon. Front of the TT is down 2"+ also. Big 35" tires on the truck.

I wish I had LT's in my size. My setup is so rock solid it's really frustrating when out by yourself that because of the ST's I'm stuck at 65mph. I would pull 70-75 all day out in the open if I had LT's.

rbpru wrote:
Sorry but physics is physic and opinion is opinion. People have successfully towed a multitude of TT and TV combinations. That does not always indicate it was a good idea. You simply cannot get around the fact that more speed, more weight, means more energy to bring to a halt.
....snip....

True enough, but that statement by itself does not exist in a vacuum. When I hook my travel trailer to my truck, I am in fact adding 4000 pounds to the overall weight. I agree with you so far.

But....BUT.... I am also adding four more contact patches, and four more brakes that are in fact powerful enough to lock and slide the those contact patches on dry pavement ( if I dial the brake controller too high ).
So as I said earlier, we must also consider the "trailer brakes are intended to brake the trailer"....and the "truck brakes are intended to slow or stop the truck".

Sorry but physics is physic and opinion is opinion. People have successfully towed a multitude of TT and TV combinations. That does not always indicate it was a good idea. You simply cannot get around the fact that more speed, more weight, means more energy to bring to a halt.

My 5000 lb. TV can handle my 2000 lb. Pop-up lake it was not even there. But hook on my 6000 lb. loaded TT and you certainly know there is something in tow.

We all take chances; it is part of being human. How far you care to push the limit is up to the individual.

Speed is a very tricky concept to understand, knowledge usually comes from experience. Hence, the number of young drives involved it high speed accident vs. older drivers.

gmw photos wrote:

Francesca Knowles wrote:


Any vehicle towing, regardless of size, is susceptible to additional hazards if brakes are suddenly applied, most notably jackknifing. While formulaic calculations of stopping distance won't correct for that hazard, every prudent driver must. Distances are greatly increased if one understands that keeping the rig straight while stopping depends on careful control/application of the brakes.
Sudden, hard braking must be avoided.

While it certainly is true that one needs to aware of potential jack-knifing, you are implying that hard braking is "going to result" in that.

:h
I only said one must be prepared and aware, and avoid hard braking events whenever possible.

Absolute outcome predictions are of course absurd, and useful only to those determined to scare folks into a certain point of view. Such as (if I may be permitted an example) the condemnation of certain tire types regardless of brand, reputation, or application. ;)

Francesca Knowles wrote:


Any vehicle towing, regardless of size, is susceptible to additional hazards if brakes are suddenly applied, most notably jackknifing. While formulaic calculations of stopping distance won't correct for that hazard, every prudent driver must. Distances are greatly increased if one understands that keeping the rig straight while stopping depends on careful control/application of the brakes. Sudden, hard braking must be avoided.

I think that is likely misleading at least and downright incorrect at worst. While it certainly is true that one needs to aware of potential jack-knifing, you are implying that hard braking is "going to result" in that. That is, in many if not most cases, incorrect. Some tests have shown that in fact a combined rig ( truck and trailer ) with the tow vehicle having ABS and the trailer having properly adjusted and functioning brakes, can actually stop shorter than the tow vehicle alone. The idea is, "the trailer brakes stop the trailer", and in this combined scenario, the forward weight transfer of the trailer as down force on the rear of the tow vehicle, helps keep the truck level, and it's four tires more evenly planted on the roadway.
I would have no hesitation to going to a full on ABS assisted stop with either of my trucks, towing any of my trailers, if needed.

I would suggest anyone reading these posts to think about this, and also to take your truck and trailer out to a deserted road and do some practice panic stops.

Francesca Knowles wrote:

In my opinion, when towing, both lower traveling speed and greater distance between followed vehicles are simple measures tending toward maximum control of the vehicle combination, especially when it comes to safely stopping it.

I do agree with this, and routinely practice this. Added following distance and slower speeds simply make good sense. Especially in my case as often I have live animals ( horses ) in my trailer, so the possibility of shifting loads, etc are greater than a static tied-down load.

I always considered adding a momentary switch to my brake lights. for a tailgater, turn them on and see them squirm.
bumpy

rexlion wrote:
I guess I was wrong about Michigan, although I was there just a month ago and the signs on I-69 and I-75 said "speed limit 70, trucks 60". Apparently the 55 mph limit for vehicles with trailers is not posted. (edit: a quick perusal of MCL 257.627 and 257.628 seems to confirm 60 mph for heavy trucks and tractor-trailers, but 70 mph for all other vehicles. Cooley grads know how to look these things up. ;) )

Why be in a hurry? Because I get to vacation only in summer. In summer it is hot as blazes around OK. It takes more than a full day of driving just to get someplace cool. My summer trips generally are 2500 to 4000 miles. On a 3000 mile trip, at 62 mph that's 48 hours of driving. But at 75 mph it's only 40 hours of driving. So it's a whole heck of a lot more than 10 minutes! I just want to get out of the heat quickly and then take my time poking around the mountains, the lakes, the national parks.

I'm not going to comment on your intent, if you find the speed you wish to tow is safe, you are the one responsible to ensure that it truly is. We are all liable for our behavior as you're well aware, good luck to you... unlike others I do not wish ill upon you at all.

BTW: I'm very lucky in the regards to wonderful camping terrain, I live in near-north Ontario and this is beautiful country up here. I must suffer through winter, however it is almost worth it that I have a 10 minute drive to get to a very nice campground with several others within an hour. I can't even imagine towing for 48 hours straight. My annual trip to Florida (without the trailer) is a straight 22.5 hour drive and I hate it.