Towing Speeds

If you look on trailer tires they have a maximum speed rating of 65MPH. The faster you go the less safe it is.

My 5th wheel tires are rated to 75MPH. I set my cruise control on 65MPH where alowed.

Let me switch thst question up a hit. Why do states restrict interstate highway speeds when other states dont?

Most newer trailer tires are rated for 75 and up. I don't know the logic behind California's 55 mph towing speed but from what I've seen not too many people follow it very closely. I try to keep it under 65 when I'm towing in CA.

donn0128 wrote:
Let me switch thst question up a hit. Why do states restrict interstate highway speeds when other states dont?

These kinds of laws fall into the category of "states rights". So they can vary from one state to the next.

The republik of kalifornia is kinda like it's own little fifedom, so it's hard to compare it to other states.

I have towed in Ca. Towing at 55 when everyone else is doing 75~90+ MPH is crazy dangerous.
I did it for a day before I got so tired of the near collisions that I finally brought it up to 65~70. Far fewer problems after that.
Some laws are plain stupid and meant to be broken.

California policy, set by the Legislature, mandates 55 for vehicles towing. My Provider 14 inch LR D tires are rated to 81 mph - speed rating M. I’m one of the few observing 55. I make no comments about any stupid Washington laws. I leave other states to decide for themselves, Scott.

Slower is safer in an accident.
Although most trucks are going 60/65 with vehicles at 70+ and tailgating like it was the Daytona 500.

donn0128 wrote:
Let me switch thst question up a hit. Why do states restrict interstate highway speeds when other states dont?

I think it's a factor of many thing. Each state has completely different demographic structures. Some VERY big city, some almost all rural. Some have longer distances between cities, some are much closer. Some are in mountain states, some are flat. Some roads are very curvy, some are straight. Some roads are designed for heavy congestion with multiple lanes, and some are designed for only 2 lanes. Some are in snow states, some are in sunshine states.

The people who establish the speed limits have to take into consideration a happy-medium for all conditions of their respective states.

Add to the mix, big 18 wheeled rigs, vs motorcycles, and the mix is insane on these roads.

So, based on an average (I suppose), taking into factor what is a safe speed for the type of vehicle under year round conditions, what's the best speed? Based on all these factors, speed limits are determined.

I live in the country and there is one East West road North of me that has a posted 45 mph speed limit. For the longest time I couldn't understand why it was so low. In the car or truck it drove perfectly fine at 55, even 60 mph. Then one day I towed the trailer on that road, and OMG! The truck and trailer were porpoising up and down almost uncontrollably, even at 45 mph. I had to slow down to about 30 to be safe. That's when I realized different vehicles behave differently on the same roads, thus the reason for different speed limits for different vehicles. It all made sense that day!

I set the cruise between 65 and 75. The X is comfortable at 67. My tires are rated at 68 IIRC. My newer ones will be the Carlisle HD’s and those are rated around 86mph.

The 55 limit was back in the 70’s when there was oil shortages and states adopted the 55 limit for fuel savings. Now they keep it in place as a revenue generator!