Towing above 65

myredracer wrote:

How many inspect their brakes annually, know what condition the wiring is in, test periodically and know if all 4 brakes are working properly when they head out on each trip?

I test my brakes at the start of each day by checking the current draw with the amp meter installed on my dash. I have detected more than once both a bad single inoperative magnet and one side of the trailer both magnets inoperable using this. However, I'm still using the same Warner brake controller that I purchased back in 1982 that probably 99% of the folks here have never seen and wouldn't know how to use one of these "new fangled" complex ones anyway .... You know that old saying "IF IT AIN"T BROKE ...."





Larry

The brakes on our TT had grease in them in under 1 year and had to be totally rebuilt under warranty. Never did any hard braking and didn't notice anything but were fortunate not to have to ever do an emergency hard stop. This is actually the 2nd TT we've had this happen to in under 1 year and 2 out of 3 TTs we've owned and two different axle brands. Not encouraging statistics. How many are out there with the same issue and don't know?

How many inspect their brakes annually, know what condition the wiring is in, test periodically and know if all 4 brakes are working properly when they head out on each trip? Owners don't trust their China bomb tires but they don't think twice about brake quality and condition?

Given the quality problems TTs are known for and lack of regular inspection and maintenance, I think anyone who relies on their TT braking to be fully functionally when they need it the most could be in for a rude awakening one day, especially if driving at high speeds. And that's not including those who tow over weight ratings.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:


That's just silly.

With ABS and airbags I'm also safer now than ever.

You are correct, brakes have no asbestos. Asbestos off gassed bad and the new ones with ceramic don't. New is much safer.

Spring shackles are thinner. So what? Lighter brakes better and tows faster.

Bearings are made in China. I wouldn't know. Mine are all US made Timken and I have never had a bearing problem in my life.

I can out brake; out power, and out comfort of any era gone bye. Anybody that say's that statement is wrong is out of touch or just plain lost in the 70's haze. :B

They forgot to put ABS and airbags in my travel trailer.

My new, safer brakes were junk in 7000 miles.

If you like spring shackles that self destruct, have at it. By the way, they are not part of the brakes.

Then you agree? Replace all trailer wheel bearings with Timkens before you tow it home?

My trailer cannot out brake the 1970's trailers because the brakes are even worse now.

We can use, invent, or otherwise justify any reason to drive like we do. But, you cannot change science. There is a lot of energy stored in a moving TT and TV.

That energy is proportional to the the velocity squared. If you do not know what that means, you will figure it out one way or the other.

Lynnmor wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

On a side note I find threads like this funny. I remember my dad telling me it's crazy to tow at anything more than 55 MPH. That was in 1970. Guess what? In 1970 it probably was crazy to tow at anything more than 55 MPH. Think of the equipment they had back then!

Fast forward 40 something years. Equipment is light years ahead of the stuff we towed with back then. Yes it is that much better! Better tires, better engines, better brakes, better EVERYTHING.

Tires now come from China, brakes have no asbestos, spring shackles are thinner and bearings come from China. You have got to be kidding, these things are becoming dangerously cheap.

Yes, trucks have improved in many ways, but not trailers.

That's just silly.


With ABS and airbags I'm also safer now than ever.

You are correct, brakes have no asbestos. Asbestos off gassed bad and the new ones with ceramic don't. New is much safer.

Spring shackles are thinner. So what? Lighter brakes better and tows faster.

Bearings are made in China. I wouldn't know. Mine are all US made Timken and I have never had a bearing problem in my life.

I can out brake; out power, and out comfort of any era gone bye. Anybody that say's that statement is wrong is out of touch or just plain lost in the 70's haze. :B

Anyone that drives slower then me is a idiot and anyone that drives faster then me is a moron!:B

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

On a side note I find threads like this funny. I remember my dad telling me it's crazy to tow at anything more than 55 MPH. That was in 1970. Guess what? In 1970 it probably was crazy to tow at anything more than 55 MPH. Think of the equipment they had back then!

Fast forward 40 something years. Equipment is light years ahead of the stuff we towed with back then. Yes it is that much better! Better tires, better engines, better brakes, better EVERYTHING.

Tires now come from China, brakes have no asbestos, spring shackles are thinner and bearings come from China. You have got to be kidding, these things are becoming dangerously cheap.

Yes, trucks have improved in many ways, but not trailers.

55 for me (on flat ground). Half ton towing near my limit. Any more and my gas mileage drops significantly. I'm not in a hurry.

spoon059 wrote:
There is a lot of pissing in the wind here. Bottom line, there are a LOT of variables to safe driving. There is no absolute speed that you are safe if you are under and a lunatic if you are over.

Know the limitations of the driver, of the truck, of your tires, of road conditions and of traffic conditions. Drive only as fast as YOU feel comfortable. For some that is 55, for others like me it is in the upper 60's. Some people feel safe in the 70's and 80's.

Who cares what speed anyone else drives anyways??? Unless you are paying for Turtle n Peeps gas, tires and potential damage to his trailer form a blowout... WHO CARES???

If law enforcement in his area is concerned, they will certainly let him know. Until then, I try not to get my underwear in a twist over something I cannot control.

^^^^^^ Should be a sticky or given post of the year or something!

On a side note I find threads like this funny. I remember my dad telling me it's crazy to tow at anything more than 55 MPH. That was in 1970. Guess what? In 1970 it probably was crazy to tow at anything more than 55 MPH. Think of the equipment they had back then!

Fast forward 40 something years. Equipment is light years ahead of the stuff we towed with back then. Yes it is that much better! Better tires, better engines, better brakes, better EVERYTHING.

Back in the Model A era 40 MPH was blazin break neck speed. Now? Psshhhh it' nothing. Time goes on and speed gets faster.

Should everybody tow at the speed I tow at? Absolutely NOT!!!! There are some people that can tow faster; there are some that "should" tow slower............and there are some that should not be on the road in anything with wheels.

I believe years from now when I'm dead and in the ground 100 MPH might be the "comfortable" speed to tow at and 125 would be "crazy".

Anyway, whatever speed you tow at be safe and have a good time. :)

Atlee wrote:
I mostly concur. The place I diverge is in urban areas that have multiple lanes on the interstate. In those cases, I perfer to ride in the next to the right lane for two reasons. 1) I don't like to have to dodge the folks coming on the interstate and getting off the interstate. If they have their dedicated lane , then it's easier on them and me. 2) Sometimes in urban areas that right most lane becomes a exit only lane, then i'm forced to move over a lane. For me when pulling, the less lane changing the better.

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