5er accidents

Terryallan wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

rlw999 wrote:
I'm always amazed at how fast people tow. Like in an area with 70mph speed limit for cars, and 60mph for trucks+trailers, I regularly see people towing RV's (both 5th wheel and bumper tow) at 75mph+, keeping up with the car traffic.

I don't tow, but when I drive my Class C, I generally stick with the truck speed limit... not only is it safer, but the gas mileage is better too. Just because you *can* drive at 75mph, doesn't mean you *should*, or that you can do so safely.

Unless there is weather or other conditions coming into play...on a clear dry day, keeping up with traffic is generally safer on freeways.

Truck speed limits are put forth by politicians not traffic engineers.

Now if it's a lightly traveled rural freeway, doing 60-65 isn't a big problem but as traffic builds keeping up so you don't create a rolling road block is safest.

But I'm with the other post asking what data is there that a lot of 5th wheel crashes are happening? I've seen far more bumper pulls in crashes over the years.

Only data I have is the news. And it tells me all the RV accidents in the past month in this area have been 5ers. My only reason for posting is to remind people that even though a 5er does tow pretty good. You are still towing.

As for those advocating that you "keep up with traffic flow" remember as well. that unless you have replaced your ST tires. They are rated for 65 mph. Not realy safe to run them at 80.

Just towed my rig down to the Phoenix area from where we had it at my sister-in-law's place N of Prescott for the summer. The "sweet spot" with my old D'max is about 62-63 mph; my mileage drops 1-2 mpg when I run 65, and about 3 at 70. I did not pass a single RV on the way down I-17 and most passed me at 70-80. Glad they've got some deep pockets, I sure don't. FWIW, going UP there, running 75 empty, I averaged only 14.5. I have a 4" Banks Monster Exhaust, K&N filter and was running Diesel Kleen cetane boost on that tank.

Lyle