Towing Speeds

[Larryzv7]

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?

[NMDriver]

DutchmenSport wrote:

DanNJanice wrote:
... The faster you drive the more time to stop, the heavier you are the more time to stop.

True... and remember, time equals distance you know. It takes more distance to stop a 15,000 pound 5er, than it does to stop a 3,000 pound car. You may be able to stop the car at 60 mph in 200 feet; the 5er at 60 mph may take 1000 feet!

Actually a loaded semi can stop in less distance than an empty one.

A typical car takes about 300ft to stop at 80 MPH while a loaded semi at 55 takes about 300ft also. That does not include distance traveled while either driver is recognizing the hazard and the reaction time distance after a hazard is recognized.

I know I can stop my 5er at 60 in less than 300ft(a football field) also. 1000ft is over three football fields.

My truck and my 5er both have about the same weight on each brake. 2,000 on each trailer brake and about 2000 on each truck brake. So hooked or unhooked I am stopping the same weight per brake surface. In fact, with the 5er hooked up the rear truck tires have a better bite and will stop sooner.

[SidecarFlip]

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 correctincluding semi-trucks, are not made for speeds over 55-mph; is this correct?

That is not correct. Commercial truck tires are almost always rated for speeds up to 70 mph (depending on the tire diameter and width).

[D_E_Bishop]

I have lived here in CA(spelled a "C" not a k) for most of my 77 years and early on thru the 50's, there were a lot of cars with mechanica brakes. That is most of the reason for the 55mph speed limit. I don't think that revenue is why we keep it, I think it is so ingrained in some folks that they still feel speed kills.

Raising the National limit to70 did not raise the number of accidents or fatal injuries and they feel it is a big lie and the real numbers are hidden.

The truth is 60 is in general a better limit for 4 wheeled vehicles towing and maybe even 6 wheeled wheeled vehicles than 55 because the improvement in the mechanical and electrical has made vehicles much safer and because the impatient drivers don't do as many stupid and unsafe moves when they get behind folks obseving the speed limit.

I really don't believe it is a great revenue generator.

Just my never to be humble oplniol.

[Passin_Thru]

That's baloney on truck tires. My 1100/22s are rated at 87 MPH with a full load. We run 75 MPH in western states and 80 in Texas. China Bombs, which I'd never run are dangerous sitting still. Blew one out at Bluewater Keys Fl on a 70 degree day sitting still. Started running Michelin LTs on it from then on. Why is the differential speed (not limit) on I 81 a problem? Because all the trucks run the L lane and 1 pulls out at 1 mi per hr faster and then they all slow down on a hill. I say make all trucks meet the speed limit or run the 2 lanes. It makes people mad when a truck swerves out to pass like that.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Studies have shown time and time again 2 speed limits are a bad idea. Then why do some states such as Ca have them? Simple answer: MONEY GENERATOR.

[Lwiddis]

“I tried slower speeds to see better fuel economy but never felt safe.”

The GREAT excuse....others were going faster so I couldn’t comply with the law.

[Hannibal]

I'd be happy if the speed limit on interstates was 60mph for everyone. That way trucks and RV's could run 65mph and cars could run 85mph like they do now. Hmm. I actually didn't mind the 55mph speed limit in the '70s and early '80s. And I was young then. I set the ol' vacuum/chain operated cruise on 60mph and enjoyed the ride.

[time2roll]

camp-n-family wrote:

time2roll wrote:
Slower is safer in an accident.
Although most trucks are going 60/65 with vehicles at 70+ and tailgating like it was the Daytona 500.

So they say. If you get in an accident, injuries tend to be less at slower speeds however, if you are slower than the majority of traffic around, you become a hazard and are more likely to get into an accident. So which is better/worse? More low speed accidents or less higher speed accidents?

I prefer to stay with the flow. Knock on wood we've never had an accident in nearly 30yrs. I tried slower speeds to see better fuel economy but never felt safe. Constantly harassed and cutoff by aggressive drivers made it less safe and more stressful.

I understand your position. Trouble is the big speed differential is caused by people driving with the flow well over the speed limit.
People treat the 70 mph limit as the minimum instead of the maximum.

If trucks really drove 50/55 and the cars really drove 65/70 I believe the speed differential issue would be minimal.

Some day self driving vehicles will set the flow of traffic closer to the actual limit. Lives will be saved.

JMHO.

[theoldwizard1]

donn0128 wrote:
Let me switch the question up a hit. Why do states restrict interstate highway speeds when other states dont?

time2roll wrote:
Slower is safer in an accident.

Statistics have shown, lower speeds = less accidents. Nothing about "safer" during an accident. 55 MPH in an accident when towing a typical TT or 5er is going to be ugly.

ScottG wrote:
I have towed in Ca. Towing at 55 when everyone else is doing 75~90+ MPH is crazy dangerous.

I CONCUR big time !

[camp-n-family]

time2roll wrote:
Slower is safer in an accident.
Although most trucks are going 60/65 with vehicles at 70+ and tailgating like it was the Daytona 500.

So they say. If you get in an accident, injuries tend to be less at slower speeds however, if you are slower than the majority of traffic around, you become a hazard and are more likely to get into an accident. So which is better/worse? More low speed accidents or less higher speed accidents?

I prefer to stay with the flow. Knock on wood we've never had an accident in nearly 30yrs. I tried slower speeds to see better fuel economy but never felt safe. Constantly harassed and cutoff by aggressive drivers made it less safe and more stressful.

[samsontdog]

My SIL is a Calif H Patrolman and they will let you tow 62 or 63 MPH but anything over that you very well might get a ticket and for sure over 70. That is if they
are having a slow day watching for the cars going 85 to 95 which is every day on I 5 going from LA to SF

[DutchmenSport]

DanNJanice wrote:
... The faster you drive the more time to stop, the heavier you are the more time to stop.

True... and remember, time equals distance you know. It takes more distance to stop a 15,000 pound 5er, than it does to stop a 3,000 pound car. You may be able to stop the car at 60 mph in 200 feet; the 5er at 60 mph may take 1000 feet!

[Route_66_Travel]

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?

I drove a semi-tanker in CA for 32 years. The truck/towing speed limit has been 55 ever since I can remember, and it has nothing to do with tires. Here in Arizona the speed limit for all traffic is the same; trucks, cars pulling trailers, motorhomes with Toads, you name it. The freeway speed limit outside of the cities is 75mph for everyone.

The 55mph limit in CA generates a lot of income for the State. That is probably the main reason it hasn't been changed in decades.

The other problem for those towing in California is that on a multiple lane freeway those towing are restricted to the 2 right lanes. Going into lanes other than those can result in a citation. On a 2 or 3 lane freeway passing is allowed, but you must return to the slow lane within 1/4 mile, or risk a citation. That creates major safety issues when vehicles are trying to enter or exit and many times results in an accident where the truck gets cutoff.

Again, in AZ and many other States trucks and towing vehicles can occupy any lane unless posted. When I drove from LA to Phoenix once I entered the city I always drove either in the number 1 or 2 lane to avoid entering and exiting conflicts. The end result is safer travel for all concerned and less chance of being cutoff by some distracted driver.

Goodyear used to have a speed limitation on their ST Marathon tires of 65mph. I usually don't tow my TT faster than that anyway because of fuel consumption.

[DanNJanice]

There are probably lots of reasons, 55 seems a little on the slow side to me.
However, there are a number of reasons/rationals, none of which have anything to do with "we are taking away your rights".
1) Many trailers had, and probably still have, tires rated at 65, so excessive speed is not good.
2) Trailers (less so for 5vers) can start to sway uncontrollably when people drive too fast. Unfortunately, many people view a speed limit as the minimum speed, even when pulling a trailer. So, if the speed limit is 80, they will load up the truck and trailer and lock on the cruise at 85+. I experienced this first hand driving through Utah, where they even allow double pull trailers. Talk about a white knuckle ride.
3) Trucks with trailers take further to stop. You don't really think that a 15000lb 5ver on the back of an F250 stops as fast as a passenger car do you? The faster you drive the more time to stop, the heavier you are the more time to stop.

[time2roll]

dodge guy wrote:
The 55 limit was back in the 70’s when there was oil shortages and states adopted the 55 limit for fuel savings. Now they keep it in place as a revenue generator!

Actually towing and trucks were limited to 55 long before the national 55 limit.