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How far can you comfortably tow in a day?

wayfun
Explorer
Explorer
We are relatively new to the RV life style. We have a 28ft trailer and while we've towed it a couple of hundred miles on weekend trips we haven't travelled any long days. Next month we plan to tow it about 1100 miles south to Florida along I75. By car I would typically drive 700 to 800 miles in a day. I know towing at 60 to 63 mph I can't cover that kind of distance. What is a comfortable day range? Can I make that in two days or should I plan three?

Thanks
Dennis
76 REPLIES 76

deweysmith5
Explorer
Explorer
We have a daughter in Wyoming and a son in Boston. Believe me, the amount of time spent towing from Northern Indiana is completely different. Towing East with more traffic, more cities and generally more congestion is completely different than towing through Nebraska and Iowa. Even equivalent time has different stress levels. A four hour tow Westward is obviously less stressful than towing four hours East. Yes, this is a no brainer but many new RVers do not seem to take this into account.
2016 Cougar xlite 27rks
2015 Duramax Z71 Silverado
The Wife, The Lab, and sometimes a grandkid or two

Ric_Flair
Explorer
Explorer
Depends on my amphetamine supply
2013 GMC 3500 DRW 4x4 SLT Duramax
2013 Road Warrior 415 Toy Hauler
2013 Kawasaki 4010 Mule

J2
Explorer
Explorer
12 to 14 hours miles depend on roads 2 or 4 lane

Jim_Shoe
Explorer
Explorer
I lay my trips out before I ever leave and plan on 300 mile days, some a little more, some a little less, depending on the RV park where I intend to stay. I'm normally on the road by 8 and at my next RV park by 3 or 4, depending on the number of gas stops and rest stops I make. I'm retired, so I don't need to be in a hurry.
Retired and visiting as much of this beautiful country as I can.

wbwood
Explorer
Explorer
People are different. Some don't like to sit for long and some don't like to stand for long. I would guess that some of those that say they don't like doing more than a few hundred miles don't like doing it no matter if they are driving an RV, towing a trailer or driving a car. It's not for everyone.
Brian
2013 Thor Chateau 31L

dave54
Nomad
Nomad
I think the max towing I have done is about 450 in a day, almost all interstate highway. Probably could have gone a couple hours more, but I did not want to be worn out and still recovering the next day. That was long enough.
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So many campsites, so little time...
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ktmrfs
Explorer
Explorer
We are retired, so we have more options.

Normally we plan on 250-300 miles/day and plan for stops, sightseeing, etc. along the way. Enjoy the trip as well as the destination.

However, 350 miles/day is about the max I look at. Maybe 400 if timing is right. We don't like to rush leaving in the AM, and want to avoid rush hour at the end of the day. If we are traveling in sparce population, 400 is possible. But then we try not to travel the next day. get up, have a leasurely breakfast, take off, arrive in time to relax, have a nice dinner, time after dinner to relax.

We have on occasion pushed 450, but not often. In most cases we plan on closer to 250/day, spend time sightseeing, etc. and enjoy rather than being tired.

Driving our car we regularly do 750 mile trips/day as a matter of course. But average speeds are MUCH higher, stress is lower.

Now if the trip was all freeway (something we avoid, usually travel secondary roads for the scenery, etc.) 450 miles wouldn't be that bad.

the other factor is that when not towing, DW and I pretty much share driving, and we can each nap.

When towing DW occasionally will drive on sparce freeways, but doesn't really like to. Nor do I. So I do virtually all the driving. She knows she could drive in an emergency, but doesn't really like it when towing. So on occasion on the freeway she will tow from one rest stop to another so I can catnap.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2015.5 Denali 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison passed on to our Son!

buc1980
Explorer
Explorer
I just come back from Colorado and I drive 570 mile in one day,the second day 320 mile.The 570 mile don't seem that it was to bad.I wish to have more time so I can drive less per day.
2017 Ford F350 DRW,2005 Kountry Star 35ft,16750 lb weight on SAILUN tire,6 points LIPPERD Level-up.New Mor/ryde IS suspension install.Full body paint 2022.RV flex roof 2023

The_Dung_Beetle
Explorer
Explorer
I/we like to drive no more then 4 hrs a day. Depends too... if we are in some "white knuckle" freeway driving with kamikaze idiots for a couple hrs I'm exhausted. We start looking for a nice place to dive off, make lunch and regroup. Could be a rest stop, or a camp ground or a casino parking lot. If we're still too tired we will find a place to tuck in for the night and take off EARLY in an attempt to avoid the local traffic. When we travel in the summer we have plenty of time to relax in route. Love that..
.
~ It's a fine line between hobby and mental illness ~ Dave Barry

Carl, Felicia, Eva & Pip (the fur kids)

TS14fansmoke
Explorer
Explorer
My husband will drive from our home in Ontario to Charlotte,NC at one time.It takes 12-13 hours with stops to fill up and eat.We are doing this drive in 2 weeks.He likes to drive as long as he has snacks and drinks,he is good.

sele
Explorer
Explorer
It really depends on how far we need to go and how much time we have. The wife will gladly drive a couple of stretches at a time if we need to cover some distance. We have done a 12 hour day a couple of times towing the f'ver. Even when we travel without the rv she still takes her turn so we can make more distance and time.
scott

MTPockets1
Explorer
Explorer
We are retired and will max out at 200 miles in one day, and rarely stay anywhere just one night. If not retired and on vacation, it's understandable to burn miles so you have as much time possible at your destination.
2012 3055RL Big Horn - Dexter upgraded axles - G rated LT Tires
MorRyde, Genset, Dual Panes, 2 A/C, Yeti Package
2013 F350 DRW 4x4 Crew King Ranch

WeBeFulltimers
Explorer
Explorer
I have on a few occasions driven (towed) from Chattanooga, TN to Chicago and return with one 15 minute break in Chicago. This is just over 1200 miles and was "dead" for 2 days after. Now 400 is a long day...prefer about 300.
2012 Ford F-350 PSD SRW ** CURT Q24 ** 2018.5 MONTANA 3791RD

Coyotecprs
Explorer
Explorer
We have done 580 miles, but that was coming home. I would not consider sitting 10-11 hours in a truck comfortable but doable.
2005 Dodge Ram 2500, 5.7 Hemi
2007 Jayco Jay Flight 30.5 BHS