Wow, the more I ask, the more questions I have but I guess that is what this forum is for. ;)Last May I was towing a 26 ft. TT with about 200 horse power in my 2002 F -150. Across the flat lands of Indiana and Illinois I could get about 60 to 65 mph. once we hit the hill in the Ozarks 50 to 55 mph was about it. My observations were; the truck lanes were often bumpier than the fast lanes, the trucks run at 60 to 65 mph. So the question is, assuming you feel comfortable with the speed, do you ride with the trucks or let them pass you by?By the way I now have an F -150 with an Eco boost engine.:)

12 Ram CTD towing 9000lbs. No body passes me:)

I like running just faster than the trucks if I can.

I set cruise on what speed I want to travel. If they are going faster then me they will pass if slower then I will pass them.

I could drive at 75 mph towing my 14K 5vr but choose to travel at 62-65 mph.*Most trailer tires are only rated for 65 mph( mine at rated at 75 mph)*Get the best mpg at 62 mph*I'm in no hurry*Figure that it will be a lot easier to emergency stop/maneuver at slower towing speed*If on a roadway that has 3 or more lanes I don't travel in far right because the far right lane is beat up worse*If truckers pass me...OK fine. I'm probably end up passing them come the next hill cause I maintain 62-65 mph up the hills\Check the speed rating of your trailer tires!

I find the buffeting from following a big rig to be far more noticable then the movement from passing or being passed so my preferance is to be 5mph slower or faster then the big trucks.

Ride with the trucks or let them pass by? | Good Sam Community

JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jan 12, 2014
john&bet wrote:
If trucks are running 60-68 and need to pass someone running 60-68 then they need to do it and not take 5 miles to do it without cutting you off with 20' or less between you. It happens to me way to much when I am running 64-65.

Yeah, thankfully those type's are a small minority. And many times its not just 4-5 miles it takes them to get around but more like 8-10 + miles at 65-67 mph on a highway with a 75 mph speed limit out here in the flat lands. Its not like their pulling a grade or they can't go faster.

I don't draft or travel along with those size rigs but I have stayed far enough back I could see their brake lights when doing 4-5 mph over a interstate highway speed limit.
goducks10
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014
Semis in Oregon are relegated to 55mph on interstates. So in a sense Very rarely does one get passed by a semi. Out on the hwy it's pretty much 55 mph so everyone's in a line till you hitting a passing lane:)
Bruce_H_
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014
Here in California the speed limit when towing is 55 mph, although almost everyone exceeds that. I like towing at 58 mph, but have observed that vehicles overtaking me often come up too close for comfort before changing lanes. But if I tuck in behind a big rig going about the speed I like, faster vehicles seem to move over much earlier. They see a big rig in their lane and seem to plan earlier to change lanes than when they see my little 'ol travel trailer on its own.

Bruce
MEHoffman
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014
BB_TX wrote:
I often encounter highways where the right lane is bumpier than the left lane. And if there is no faster traffic coming up behind me I will run the left lane. But if I see faster traffic coming I move back to the right lane until they pass, then move back to the left lane.
I typically run the speed limit up to a max of 70 pulling the 5er.

Please be aware that the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code states “Vehicles shall be driven in the lane nearest the right-hand edge of the roadway, except when overtaking (passing) another vehicle, or for a distance of up to two miles in preparation for a left turn, or as directed by official traffic control devices, police officers or appropriately attired persons authorized to divert, control or regulate traffic.” Are there other states with such codes?
DustyR
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014
Jerrybo66 wrote:
BB_TX wrote:
I often encounter highways where the right lane is bumpier than the left lane. And if there is no faster traffic coming up behind me I will run the left lane. But if I see faster traffic coming I move back to the right lane until they pass, then move back to the left lane.
I typically run the speed limit up to a max of 70 pulling the 5er.

If there was ever a common sense answer to a question, this is it...IMO..

I agree with both of the above. I'm a retired over the road driver and training engineer for a major transportation company. I taught use the left lane if necessary when the travel was rough, don't impede traffic flow. Beware if your in the left lane and just cruising and not passing some states will site you.
Five miles faster or slower then traffic usually makes all the problems disappear.
calewjohnson
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014
I drive what my TV likes, around 62. If people want to pass, so be it...I am in no hurry. Matter of fact, we usually opt for the non-interstate routes, as we drive just as fast. When I towed my TH with my half ton, 55 mph is what it liked, boy can you imagine the traffic flying around me then!?!?

Cale
facory
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
I-10 in LA is a jaw cracker. It bounces you so much you get a headache. Our dog complains too. And x2 for I-59 in AL. I hate driving those roads.
Ole_Man_Dan
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
dadmomh wrote:
We're almost always in the truck lane. If we need to pass an 18-wheeler, we do and move back as soon as it's safe. Yes, the truck lane is like a washboard in some places and we've been known to move over. Unfortunately, there is usually a car that really wants to go faster than we are. MHO, the 18-wheelers trump any and all things on the highways.

FYI...I-65 through Birmingham is THE worst highway we've ever had the displeasure of driving. Washboard is not nearly descriptive enough. The bad news is that it's the only way to get from home to FL without going many miles out of the way. Just plan on opening the cabinet doors VERY carefully. Come on, AL....please fix that thing!

I-59 from Gadsden to Ft. Payne is another terrible stretch.
The right lane is wore out.
Ole_Man_Dan
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
I used to have your problem...
My solution was to ride with the slower traffic.
THEN...
I got a great buy on a used F-250 PSD.
Now I'm not limited in the mountains.

BTW: Your not gonna get extra points for getting there first.
Try towing on some of the 2 lane blacktops that go the same places as an expressway, and you will enjoy better scenery.
I like to refer to it as 'SEE THE USA'...
artguys
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
john&bet...many of those truckers that take forever to pass are doing so because their trucks are governed and have their foot pressed hard to the floor trying to get by when all you have to do is slow a bit and let them by. Try sitting in the other guys seat then comment.