Towing Speeds

Of course the motorcyclists are allowed to "lane split" -- otherwise, they'd be stuck behind my 60 mph trailer! ;)

Seriously, though, it's "white knuckle" time on the LA freeway system whenever I look in my mirrors and see a motorcycle approaching from behind, zooming between stopped or slowed vehicles, weaving around the protruding side mirrors (including my towing mirrors).

Because of the size of the trailer, I can't edge over to the other side of my lane, as I sometimes do when not towing, in order to give the biker a little more room. I just have to drive as straight as possible and hope that the skill of the rider will keep him safe.

Experienced motorcyclists have told me that lane splitting is perfectly safe, that they can tell when (for example) someone is going to suddenly change lanes in front of them without signaling. Not being a biker, I have no way to know if that is true or not.

And now, back on topic: Since most of our towing is on the open road (and not in town), I am guessing that the 55 maximum for trailers (which is more like 60 in the real world) is not a big problem for motorcyclists -- there is usually plenty of room for them to pass safely. 95 percent of the time, I am in the right lane, and they are in the left.

They set the towing speed limit ridiculously low but allow motorcycles to ride between the lanes. What morons set these laws?

“why do some states allow double tow and others don't?”

Some like us believe double towing is safe enough....some don’t. States don’t need to be identical.

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

75... this is the same as my ST tires are rated for.

Really.....its California, Jerry Brown, Sanctuary cities and now state, the most left of the left. Really....give it back to Mexico. I just returned from Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Mount Rushmmore, interstate speed posted at 80 mph in South Dakota and Wyoming.....its California what else needs to be said.

Not to take this topic too far off, but on the same note why do some states allow double tow and others don't?

What's happened in this country of ours is that there is not enough Law Enforce out there on the roads, so posted speed limits really mean nothing to a lot of drivers. On I-15 up thru Arizona, Nevada, California, and Utah the posted speed limit signs are only a suggestion. I was driving down I-15 this summer doing the speed limit (80 mph) and was passed by a large fifth wheel toy hauler.

rbpru wrote:
How fast you can go is not nearly as important as how fast you can stop.

Tire failure is probably the smallest percentage of the reasons for accidents. Impaired or just plain over driving your stopping skills has to rank higher.

It is also in the math, twice the speed means four times the amount of energy that needs to be transferred to the pavement to stop. Hopefully it is transferred through the tires and not the mangled wreckage of the tow vehicle and trailer sliding down the road.

In my experience, when you have to stop fast, a lot of pavement goes by before you and your TT have come to a stop.

Any time I need to nail the brakes I take a moment to examine WHY did I need to do that!!!
I was taught years ago to be a defensive driver!
This dosen't mean driving 55 in a 60 zone it is being AWARE of traffic all around you.
I am usually glancing at least 1/4 mile down the road, watching for traffic movement, and tail lights, on interstate check the mirrors often. I keep the necessary space between me and the traffic in front of me for the speed we are traveling, and the condition of the road. I don't like PANIC stops, I like seeing the traffic that 1/4 mile ahead braking, and lifting off the throttle, and making a decision if it is stopping or just slowing.
WAY TOO MANY drivers are only watching the traffic directly in frot of them. An exercise I use to do on the interstates to enforce this habit, was set my cruse control at about 5 mph above the speed of traffic in the right lane, but less than the freeway flyers. Then see how far I could go without needing to disengage the cruse control, or speeding up. This makes you plan ahead, rules was never force and approaching driver to need to slow, and never cut directly in front or behind someone. Doing this I became VERY AWARE of ALL the Traffic around me.

OP wrote:
Someone told me that the tires on most trailers, including semi-trucks, are not made for speeds over 55-mph; is this correct?

All older poly carcass ST (trailer tires) carried a 65 mph max speed at one time.
However some brands of the newer poly carcass trailer tires are speed rated to 81-87 mph.
And like others say the LT and P tires have a much higher speed rating.

temccarthy1 wrote:

Larryzv7 wrote:
Why do you think States, like California, have a maximum speed of 55-mph when towing? Someone told me that the tires on most trailers, including semi-trucks, are not made for speeds over 55-mph; is this correct?

Your best bet for towing a TT is to stay between 60-65 regardless of speed limit.. I try to stay around 62 max. It is safer for control and gas mileage really drops drastically above 65! I think most campers pulling a TT are of this mindset.

X2 on this
60 to 65 feels most comfortable to me on interstates