I guess 80 mph is the new 65 mph

[SprinklerMan]

I just got back from a 7 day vacation in Myrtle Beach SC , I left Maryland and did the I 95 route . Now this trip we didnt take the trailer , ( not my choice ) Now I am running with traffic , adverage 70 to 75 mph . I was running the slow lane , I was constantly being passed like I was standing still. So just for something to do I kept count , I was passed by 47 travel trailers , and they were pulling away from me while I was running 75 mph . Both trailers and fifth wheels . These guys were moving , best part was this was in the rain , wet roads and spray . I guess 75 ++ is the new 65

[CKNSLS]

In some states 55mph is legal towing speed. Im Not staying on back roads doing the Legal speed limit.

[CavemanCharlie]

Well, in my opinion 55 is just to danged slow on the interstate. If you can't go at least 62-65 you should stay on the back roads. That's what I do when pulling my trailer. I like them better anyway. If I'm just in my car or pickup and need to get somewhere then I jump on the interstate and drive 70-75. Maybe even 80 but, that's rare.

Whatever you decide to do never, never , get your self in a situation where you are the slow vehicle and setting in the lane right next to another slow vehicle going the same speed as you. Better to slow down and let that guy get passed you so that way everyone else has a way around both of you. I hate it when 2 slow vehicles use up both lanes of the interstate and block the flow of traffic for everyone else. I've been tempted to call the police and report the license plate number of the guy driving slow in the left lane and say I think he is swerving too much and may have a medical issue or something. Still, there is no reason the person in the right lane can't slow down and let the person in the left lane pass. That's just about as bad as being the slow person in the left lane. If I see traffic building up behind me I either slow down or speed up to open up a lane so people can get around.

[Steamguy]

We've always had the attitude of, 'it's their bad day to have'. You'll never change the attitude of anyone else. We go 55, and we've been places where the traffic is fast. People come up on us, see us taking it easy, and they go around. I make sure to flash the semis to let them know they're clear, and the pros appreciate it.

I've been contemplating a small sign for the back of the trailer that says: "If you want me to go faster, hand me a $50 for gas".

[bigcitypopo]

mrkoje wrote:
Scary thought - I rarely go above 60MPH and that is usually when I'm going down a hill. I try to keep it around 57-58MPH. No doubt the traffic behind me on some of the 2 liners get upset but I try to play it safe.

Exactly!!! Seeing st tires are rated for 65mph, why risk a blowout and damage to the rig, or heaven forbid a collusion... Save the fuel, save the stress, take your time....

Besides you're north ok 13k lbs... They can go around.... 🙂

[Atlee]

Not for me. On interstate, I drive just under 65. I just stay over in the right lane and let the rest of the world goes.

[coolbreeze01]

nevadanick wrote:
Drove into Boise last night and it's 80 limit. Was going with the flow which was 95

Way better than gridlock :B

[ReneeG]

nevadanick wrote:
Drove into Boise last night and it's 80 limit. Was going with the flow which was 95

You can bet we will not be doing 80 when towing.

[nevadanick]

Drove into Boise last night and it's 80 limit. Was going with the flow which was 95

[Crabbypatty]

Only when NOT towing and then very rarely. Not smart.

[Bumpyroad]

Passin Thru wrote:
Any part between Rt 17 and the NC state line. I drive from Lorton almost every month of the year and people run at least 80-90 to FL and if you pass doing 75 they will get very angry with you. I run Michelin LTs and I won't exceed 67 MPH with the TT, W/O I drive 75.

well I can only discuss the stretch from 17 to the 85 turn S of Richmond. I make at least two trips a month on that section. I drive 68 in the 65 zones and 70-71 in the 70 zones. yes every once in a while there is someone doing well over my speed but I rarely see anybody doing 90 (although I don't know how without a radar gun I would know the actual speed) , with the possible exception of a motorcycle. and yes, in the 70 mph stretches I might get up to 75 in the left lane if I am passing somebody but haven't gotten anybody "very angry" as yet, at least no obscene gestures have been made. 😉
bumpy

[Passin_Thru]

Any part between Rt 17 and the NC state line. I drive from Lorton almost every month of the year and people run at least 80-90 to FL and if you pass doing 75 they will get very angry with you. I run Michelin LTs and I won't exceed 67 MPH with the TT, W/O I drive 75.

[CKNSLS]

I drove 8,000 miles in 8 months around our beautiful country on ST tires are NEVER EXCEEDED 60 mph.


It was a GREAT TRIP!

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

I for one was glad to see they raised the speed limit to 80 MPH between Bonneville and SLC. It made for a lot shorter drive on a boring piece of road.

Doing the impossible on ST tires for over 35 years. :B

[ReneeG]

Huntindog wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

The Weekenders wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
Here is a observation of mine..

This forum seems to have a lot of folks with marginal equipment for towing.
Not to demean anyones choices and/circumstances, but think about how many posts we have from those with barely adequate TVs.. Those that never carry any water in order to make weight. Those who can't see getting a properly sized TV for the job, when they will only tow a few times a year.. So a nice daily driver is more important.. Or someone that won't consider a tire that can be safely operated at speeds above 65MPH..
I would suggest that some of these people are unsafe at speeds lower than 50-60 MPH... But then again maybe a lot of them are the ones dissing the higher speed drivers because their setups are so marginal, that they cannot imagine anyone having a better one... How often we hear from someone that finally got a dually... And now understands.. Often one doesn't know what one doesn't know.

Food for thought.

Well said!!

Don't know why if you tow at safe speeds (and are not towing a heavy fifth wheel) why one needs to consider an LT tire. There are a few quality ST tires out there that will hold up driven under the proper parameters.

Proper parameters...
Ok here ya go.

65 MPH is the MAX for an ST tire... Period. Every time you exceed 65, you are damaging the tire. This damage is cumulative. In other words, a failure won't happen immeadiatly. But it will at some point as the damage is hidden and adds up over time.

So you cannot exceed 65 when passing.. Period.
You cannot exceed 65 when going downhill.. Period.
You cannot exceed 65 when merging on the freeway.. Period.
Your TT transport driver cannot exceed 65 while delivering it to the dealer.. Period
You cannot exceed 65.... Ever.. Period.

If you are OK with those parameters... Go for it.

But those are YOUR parameters not mine. I expect more out of my equipment. I paid the money for it, and it is legal, so MY parameters are higher than yours... And I'm OK with that. :B

Maybe his safe is 65? Thanks for restating the MAX speed for ST.

[jimw606]

I have just perused all 10 pages of this topic, and found a lot of valid statements.
One of the things I have always been against, is the raising of Interstate speed limits.
A 75MPH speed limit, means that most vehicles are doing 85+mph.Increasing to 80+ means, well you do the math.
Another thing I wonder about on this forum, is the age of the drivers. I for one do 60 to 65 mph any more on the Interstates, in my car. I used to be one of the 75/80+ drivers when I traveled in my job.
I am now 77 years old, in good health, so I still pull a TT, but at no more than 60/65 mph. Just my .02