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My towing "faster" experience.

Dave_Mck
Explorer
Explorer
I was just reading a closed thread on trailer tires that can go faster. I wanted to reply, but it was closed. This also probably has been discussed, but towing faster doesn't mean your going to get there faster!

I was towing a 28' enclosed car hauler from Orlando Fl to Long Island. The trip down was long, 23 hours. Hit rain, wind, and traffic, wasn't really pushing it. I left Orlando to head home at 2:00 am. I was driving alone, the road was flat, level, dry, and there was no wind. The road was completly empty. I looked down and I was doing 83 mph. I thought hey this isn't bad, riding straight and smooth, under perfect conditions. So I kept at it. The problem was I had to stop in Jacksonville.....my tank was empty. I wasn't paying for the gas, so it didn't really concern me. As the morning went on I definitely slowed down because the conditions didn't allow that speed. On 95 I believe somewhere in Georgia, I noticed two school busses that said Boston Schools on the side, I'm assuming they were purchased somewhere down there and were being driven up. At this time I was keeping it at about 75-79 mph. I guess the busses had governors, they were doing under 65 mph. I passed them pretty quickly and thought how much it would suck to have to drive that slow all the way to Boston. A while later I pull off to fuel up. Get back on the road and about an hour later I pass the same busses again. So again, I have to stop for fuel. Get back on the road and guess what, about an hour later I pass the same busses again. I think it happened 4-5 times.

Now I know the busses have a much bigger fuel tank than my truck, and they don't have to refuel much. But, the faster you drive, espically towing, the quicker your tank is going to drain. You may be driving faster, but your going to be stopping more. You won't get to you're destinination any quicker.
57 REPLIES 57

goducks10
Explorer
Explorer
cdlaine wrote:
...got to say, all the focus of commentary on this forum related to safety issues (braking, tire weight ratings, load distribution, GVWR, payloads, winds, etc.) the willingness to drive faster while towing
seems inconsistent. :h

... but I'm just a worrier.

Charles

Just think how fast you could tow a pop up using a DRW.
Throw some LT tires on the pop up and the speeds are unlimited. :B

cdlaine
Explorer
Explorer
...got to say, all the focus of commentary on this forum related to safety issues (braking, tire weight ratings, load distribution, GVWR, payloads, winds, etc.) the willingness to drive faster while towing
seems inconsistent. :h

... but I'm just a worrier.

Charles
2003 2500HD, 8.1L,CC,4.10,2WD,Allison
Standard bed
Ride-rite air bags
Prodigy
Husky 16K sliding

2013 Artic Fox 29-5T Silver Fox Ed.
Pin wt.(CAT Scale) 2660#
5th (Cat Scale) 12600#

I'll want the Frim Fram sauce with the Ausen Fey with
Chafafa on the side.... Nat

tinner12002
Explorer
Explorer
goducks10 wrote:
Not everyone is stressed out driving fast. I prefer to drive fast. Always have always will. Hate being behind slow drivers. Do I speed? No, I just drive 5-10mph over. No tickets in 25 years. I'm not reckless either. I just don't see spending more time in a car or truck than necessary. If I'm site seeing while driving then that's different. But cruising down the interstate for 8 hrs seeing the same things I've seen for the last 40 years is rather boring. Why drive 55 when I can drive 65 and get there sooner to enjoy the place I'm going to longer. Going from 55-65 shouldn't stress anyone out. Going from 55-80, now that could be stressful.


That's what I was referring to was the over 65mph driving.
2015 Ram 3500/DRW/Aisin/auto/Max tow/4.10s,Cummins, stock Laramie Limited--Silver
Tequila Sunrise 2012 Ultra Classic Limited
2018 Raptor 428SP

Hybridhunter
Explorer
Explorer
goducks10 wrote:
Not everyone is stressed out driving fast. I prefer to drive fast. Always have always will. Hate being behind slow drivers. Do I speed? No, I just drive 5-10mph over. No tickets in 25 years. I'm not reckless either. I just don't see spending more time in a car or truck than necessary. If I'm site seeing while driving then that's different. But cruising down the interstate for 8 hrs seeing the same things I've seen for the last 40 years is rather boring. Why drive 55 when I can drive 65 and get there sooner to enjoy the place I'm going to longer. Going from 55-65 shouldn't stress anyone out. Going from 55-80, now that could be stressful.


Yeppers. Well put. I find it stressful not going with traffic way more so than going 5-10 over any day.

spoon059
Explorer II
Explorer II
goducks10 wrote:
But cruising down the interstate for 8 hrs seeing the same things I've seen for the last 40 years is rather boring. Why drive 55 when I can drive 65 and get there sooner to enjoy the place I'm going to longer.

While I am still employed and have precious little time to vacation, this is my mentality as well. I am awful bored watching mile after mile of Interstate 95 pass... I am looking forward to being able to have more time to travel and taking the smaller roads through towns and enjoy the sites.

Until then, I cruise along at 67-70mph down I95...
2015 Ram CTD
2015 Jayco 29QBS

goducks10
Explorer
Explorer
Not everyone is stressed out driving fast. I prefer to drive fast. Always have always will. Hate being behind slow drivers. Do I speed? No, I just drive 5-10mph over. No tickets in 25 years. I'm not reckless either. I just don't see spending more time in a car or truck than necessary. If I'm site seeing while driving then that's different. But cruising down the interstate for 8 hrs seeing the same things I've seen for the last 40 years is rather boring. Why drive 55 when I can drive 65 and get there sooner to enjoy the place I'm going to longer. Going from 55-65 shouldn't stress anyone out. Going from 55-80, now that could be stressful.

tinner12002
Explorer
Explorer
I guess I don't and never will understand the need for speed when towing a trailer!! I personally want to arrive alive and enjoy the trip, get there relaxed, safe and stress free. I had people when I was working, pass me every morning in their cars or trucks, dodging oncoming traffic and speeding only to gain a car length or two at the next stop when all they needed to do was to leave home 5 minutes sooner and could have had a nice relaxing drive to work!
I think they should make some tires and separate roads for you speed freaks that you can get out there and run 100mph with so you can get everywhere first if you even get there!! That's my .02!!
2015 Ram 3500/DRW/Aisin/auto/Max tow/4.10s,Cummins, stock Laramie Limited--Silver
Tequila Sunrise 2012 Ultra Classic Limited
2018 Raptor 428SP

bucky
Explorer II
Explorer II
Nah, we stagger the buses when we run 10 or so up the coast. 2 at a time an hour apart so we don't jam up the road.
Puma 30RKSS

IBcarguy
Explorer
Explorer
I'm an old guy and I have to stop and pee every few hours anyway, so I'd rather drive fast.

Hybridhunter
Explorer
Explorer
Sounds like some folks need help with choosing the optional larger fuel tank, and math. Yes going faster sucks the fuel, but it will get you there quicker. Really bad mileage and a small fuel tank might close the gap significantly, but that's an equipment problem. Also, if you are bucking a wind, the stops will be more frequent, and that is unavoidable. Also, what is the energy waste of bucking a wind for 12hours vs 9? What is you time worth? Time is a priceless commodity, that can't be replaced, so there's that!
And also, why do some folks have to show up to question the guy getting 5-6 mpg? Anyone with a big frontal area, and more than 200hp, can easily be faced with that, that's like towing into 110mph wind!!

Golfcart
Explorer
Explorer
Results from my new years trip.

On my way out it was open road so I decided to cruise faster than normal to see the difference in fuel mileage



On my way home traffic was a bit thicker so I opted out of taking a pic while driving lol, but here is what I got with the cruise control on 65 instead of 72




Trip was about 100 miles each way
pulling with a 5.3l Silverado 3.08 rear end
pulling roughly 4500lbs in reasonably calm winds with some gusts
2009 Sun Valley Road Runner 16ft
2010 Chevy Silverado 1500

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Explorer III
LOL
Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

atreis
Explorer
Explorer
fj12ryder wrote:
At your campground. Where you can lean back, drink some suds, and be thankful you're still not out on the road. ๐Ÿ™‚


Personally, I try not to drink the dishwater... ๐Ÿ™‚
2021 Four Winds 26B on Chevy 4500

goducks10
Explorer
Explorer
I've never spent that much on lunch, but have spent that and lots more on dinner, only to flush it down the toilet a few hrs latter. Lots more memories from spending $90.00 more on fuel. ๐Ÿ™‚